Community Connections Day: Cultivating a Culture of Care

Dec 1, 2026
  • 9:00am - 1:30pm
  • The NUSU Student Centre
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About

9:00 AM

Responding with Care: Community Response Panel & Breakfast (Staff and Faculty)

Join us for a complimentary breakfast hosted by the local Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee (VAWCC), followed by an engaging panel discussion focused on supporting survivors, responding to disclosures, and strengthening collaboration across our community.

This conversation will bring together leaders from organizations that play a critical role in supporting individuals impacted by gender-based and sexual violence. Panelists will share insights into their services, discuss response pathways, and explore how faculty and staff can help create safer, more supportive environments for students and community members.

Panelists:

  • Daniella Northrup, Executive Director, Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre
  • Kathleen Jodouin, Executive Director, Victim Services Nipissing District
  • Jennifer Cameron (or designate), Clinical Nurse Educator, North Bay Regional Health Centre
  • Suzanne Solman, Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, North Bay Police Service

Moderator:

  • Linds Sullivan, Manager, Access and Belonging, Nipissing University

This event offers an opportunity to learn about local resources, deepen understanding of survivor support and response systems, and engage in meaningful dialogue with community experts dedicated to addressing gender-based and sexual violence.

Please RSVP: If you plan to attend the Faculty & Staff Breakfast and Community Response Panel, please complete the RSVP form to help us with event planning and catering.

11:00 AM

VAWCC Community Resource Fair & Find Your Support Challenge

Between our faculty/staff and student panel sessions, attendees are invited to explore the VAWCC Community Resource Fair, featuring local organizations that provide support, advocacy, education, and services related to gender-based violence, wellness, safety, and community care.

The resource fair offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with community organizations, learn about available supports, ask questions, and collect resources for yourself or someone you may support in the future. Whether you're looking for information, seeking services, or simply wanting to learn more about the resources available in our community, there is something for everyone.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the Find Your Support Challenge. Visit resource fair tables, speak with community representatives, and complete a short questionnaire about the organizations you explored. Participants who complete the challenge will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win:

  • Grocery gift cards
  • Apple AirPods 

The Resource Fair is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to discover the many supports available throughout Nipissing District and build connections with the organizations that help make our community safer, healthier, and more supportive for all.

12:00 PM

Consent, Choice, & Care: Student Lunch  & Community Response Panel

Join us for a panel discussion designed for students who want to better support their peers and deepen their understanding of community responses to gender-based and sexual violence. Whether you are a student leader, peer supporter, volunteer, or preparing for a career in a helping profession, this session will provide valuable insights from local experts working on the front lines of survivor support.

Panelists will discuss how to respond when someone discloses an experience of violence, the role and limitations of peer support, available community resources, and pathways for accessing help. Students will also gain a better understanding of the interdisciplinary work involved in supporting survivors, offering valuable perspectives for those considering careers in social services, healthcare, education, law enforcement, or related fields.

Panelists:

  • Daniella Northrup, Executive Director, Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre
  • Katheline Jodouin, Executive Director, Victim Services Nipissing District
  • Jennifer Cameron (or designate), Clinical Nurse Educator, North Bay Regional Health Centre
  • Sue Solomon, Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, North Bay Police Service

Moderator:

  • Linds Sullivan, Manager, Access and Belonging, Nipissing University

Free poutine bar, prizes, community resources, and meaningful conversations. Join us to learn how to support peers, explore local services, and hear directly from community professionals working to support survivors in our region.

All students are welcome. No prior experience or knowledge is required.

Students who wish to add this activity to their Record of Student Development (RSD) must RSVP in advance using the registration form.