Advocate for less fortunate awarded YMCA Peace Medal
Kathi Curtin-Williams works three part-time jobs and still dedicates her free time to help others.
She promotes participation, empathy, advocacy, community and empowerment (PEACE) in her daily life.
That’s what made her this year’s Peterborough YMCA Peace Medal recipient.
“Can you think of anyone who fits this definition (PEACE) better than Kathi,” Rosemary Ganley said during the Peace Medal ceremony Friday at the Balsillie Family Y on Aylmer Street.
Ganley, a columnist for the Examiner, was last year’s recipient and introduced Curtin-Williams at the event.
The St. Peter Secondary School graduate has been an advocate for the less fortunate for decades.
She started volunteering with Peterborough Poverty as a teen and hasn’t slowed down since.
“I was living in poverty and when I got myself out, I wanted to help everybody else,” she said.
Over the years, Curtin-Williams has worked with Out in the Cold, the New Canadians
Centre, Hiawatha First Nations, One Roof, Fleming College, food programs, churches and schools.
In 2013, she started the Peterborough Pet Food Bank, after seeing people in need who were feeding their meals from One Roof to their pets.
Yet despite all her work, Curtin-Williams doesn’t expect any praise.
“I am astounded by this. I never thought in a million years I’d win anything like this,” she said. During her acceptance speech, Curtin-Williams thanked those who’d supported and encouraged her over the years, and said she was happy that the medal would shine light on her programs.
“I like the idea that my programs are being acknowledged and that’s important, not me.”
Curtin-Williams was accompanied by her granddaughter Monica.
“She really deserves this medal,” her granddaughter said.
Curtin-Williams said she has a “passion for social justice” and encourages anyone who’d like to make a difference to get in touch.
“Anybody wants to come out and help … I have all kinds of ideas I’d love to put on the table.”
Although working three jobs keeps her busy, Curtin-Williams still manages to find time to give back.
“It’s called time management,” she said with a laugh.
Awarding the Peace Medal is part of the YMCA’s Peace Week, which started Nov. 16 and ends Saturday.
Previous recipients include community leaders such as Charmaine Magumbe, Gord and Heather Rodin with Hope Grows, Margaret Slavin, Janet McCue, Maryam Monsef and Jessica Melnik with the Red Pashmina Campaign, Goodith Heeney, Micky Renders and Jean Koning.
Anyone interested in volunteering with Curtin-Williams can email Kathi_williams2001@msn.com