She Talks Profile: Meaghan Martin

Feb 11, 2018 | Blog

We’re really excited to represent Waterloo Region in this week’s She Talk interview! Meet Meaghan Martin: Assistant to Member of Provincial Parliament Michael Harris, Public Speaker, Child Welfare Advocate Founder of Sleep Tight Waterloo Region and SO much more. Here’s just a tidbit or two but trust us, you’ll want to hear her story in full on April 30!

What’s your personal or professional motto? 

Never give up and to never let self-doubt creep in…follow your instincts! I remind myself of this often because if I had given up wanting a better future for myself at the age of 15 when I chose to find help and enter foster care, I really don’t know where I would be today.

What does the world need more of? Less of? 
Our world needs more ACTION and less social media! The days of posting about what needs to happen are over…we need to get out there and turn our words – our keystrokes – into much needed action!

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? 
That not everyone is going to like you and that is ok. It’s better to be true to yourself than do what others expect or want of you.

What’s an issue in the world that you wish more people were talking about/trying to find a solution for?
I wish more people would talk more about the incredible resilience of our children and youth in foster care instead of the negative statistics stacked against them. When we continue to talk about the negatives that becomes all we believe.

In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you build yourself back up again?
I reflect on how far I have come. How hard I worked to knock down the barriers surrounding me and how I truly believed in myself then – times that were some of my lowest points – so why stop believing now?

News Release

CAMBRIDGE, ON – YWCA Cambridge is thrilled to announce that Soroptimist International of Cambridge has joined Greentec as a matching partner for their fundraising campaign to support the opening of a new shelter for women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. This partnership is vital to reaching the campaign goal of $125,000, which will cover the costs of fully furnishing and outfitting the shelter located in the lower level of Grace Bible Church, downtown Galt.

Local businesses have shown exceptional support for this initiative, with Greentec leading the way by matching every donation dollar for dollar up to $5,000. Their generosity inspired Soroptimist International of Cambridge to step forward with an additional $10,000 in matching donations.

“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the Cambridge and broader community,” said Kim Decker, CEO of YWCA Cambridge. “Having Soroptimist join Greentec as a matching partner is an incredible testament to how businesses and organizations are coming together to ensure that women and gender-diverse individuals in our community have a safe space to call home while they worked towards meeting their housing needs. Soroptimist’s commitment to this cause helps us bring this essential shelter to life, and we are thankful for their leadership and compassion.”

Soroptimist Club President Joni Gosselin spoke about the long-standing relationship between the organization and YWCA Cambridge, noting, “Soroptimist International of Cambridge has been in partnership with YWCA for many, many years. Our mission, to better the lives of women and gender-diverse individuals, starts here. Providing a safe roof over one’s head, a warm bed, a nourishing meal, and people who care is what we strive for. Our donation will help meet the basic needs of community members who have been living without them. People are often unaware of how many women are without homes, and we thank YWCA for their vision in making this essential dream a reality.”

Once open, YWCA Cambridge’s shelter will be the only one dedicated specifically to women and gender-diverse individuals in the region. The 20-bed shelter will operate 24/7, offering on-site services that address both mental and physical health needs, along with other therapeutic and culturally responsive services. This shelter aims to provide a safe, supportive space for individuals who are experiencing homelessness in the community.

The campaign will continue until the end of the year. To donate and support the shelter initiative, please visit www.ywcacambridge.ca.

For more information, contact Roz Gunn, Director of Communications and Advocacy at YWCA Cambridge, via email at r.gunn@ywcacambridge.ca.

About Soroptimist International of Cambridge:


Soroptimist believes in the power of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals to shape their own destinies when given the right support. Through their work in 120 countries, Soroptimists create opportunities for women and girls to rise above challenges and transform their lives.

About YWCA Cambridge:


For 75 years, YWCA Cambridge has been a leader in providing responsive programming and services that meet the evolving needs of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. As a member of YWCA Canada, YWCA Cambridge is part of the country’s oldest and largest multi-service women’s organization.