Peterborough activist and advocate Kathi Curtin-Williams has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 YMCA Peace Medal.
The YMCA of Central East Ontario will honour Curtin-Williams in a ceremony from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday, November 22nd at the YMCA’s Balsillie Family Branch (123 Aylmer St., Peterborough). The free event is open to the public and will include a pancake breakfast.
The presentation of the Peace Medal caps off YMCA Peace Week, which runs from November 16th to 23rd.
During YMCA Peace Week, YMCAs across Canada present Peace Medals to recognize the achievements of people who — without any special resources, status, wealth, or position — demonstrate the values of peace through their contributions made within their local, national, or global community.
Peacemakers are recognized for promoting and inspiring participation, empathy, advocacy, community and empowerment.
Curtin-Williams is a community activist and advocate dedicated to the issues of homelessness, poverty, and food security in Peterborough. Born and raised in Peterborough, she has organized the Out of the Cold program, the Peterborough Pet Food Bank, as well as meals and supports she has offered to those in need.
“Kathi’s kindness and compassion shine through in the work that she does,” according to a media release from the YMCA of Central East Ontario announcing the 2019 recipient. “Kathi never looks down on others unless she is helping them up.”
Curtin-Williams has previously been recognized with two civic awards from the City of Peterborough for her volunteerism, an inaugural Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Award in 2018, and was nominated for the 2018 Premier’s Award.
Previous recipients of the YMCA Peace Medal include Rosemary Ganley, Charmaine Magumbe, Gord and Heather Rodin with Hope Grows, Margaret Slavin, Janet McCue, Maryam Monsef and Jessica Melnik of the Red Pashmina Campaign, Goodith Heeney, Micky Renders, and Jean Koning.
