Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Curious about what social work looks like in a policy setting?
Join Chiara Padovani, Veronica Javier, Nokha Dakroub and Yvonne Kelly for a discussion about the critical role of social work in government planning.
Panelists
Yvonne Kelly, MSW, worked and volunteered in York Region since 2009 and is currently working with a Community and Partnership Developer focusing on Poverty and Intersections of Poverty with the Inclusive School and Community Services Dept. at the York Region District School Board. Her work focuses on issues related to equity and diversity within marginalized populations and communities. She has run federally for the NDP 3 times over the past 10 years. Yvonne is a Board member of the Social Planning Council of York Region and has helped to organize the Affordable Housing Coalition of York Region which is supported by the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights in advocating for housing as a human right in York Region.
Veronica Javier, RSW, MSW, York University School of Social Work Alumni; Social Worker at Scarborough Health Network; educator and community organizer with the Filipino-Canadian Social and Community Workers Network. In spring of 2022, Veronica had the privilege of representing the Scarborough-Guildwood riding as their Ontario NDP Candidate. #TeamVeronica advocated on issues affecting their community such as housing, healthcare and affordability.
Chiara Padovani is a social worker and community organizer. From founding the York South-Weston Tenant Union and advocating for improved public transit to fighting for a living wage and better environmental protections, Chiara has spent many years fighting for her community. After years of experience on the frontlines, she ran for York South-Weston City Councillor in Toronto to build a fair and sustainable city.
Nokha Dakroub was elected in 2014 as a Public School Board Trustee for Wards 9 and 10 in Mississauga and served for eight years from 2014-2022. Nokha has a track record of proven results for her community. She led the charge to increase support for special education, reduce busing distances, advance numerous infrastructure projects, and was a champion for equity issues for children in the school system. Nokha ushered in significant policy changes at the school board including faith-based heritage months, the first of a kind anti-Islamophobia strategy and was a fierce advocate for the review of the Peel District School Board by the Ministry of Education that brought in 27 directives to tackle systemic discrimination and specifically anti-black racism in public education.