Summer Wawia

Having navigated the profound hardships of living on the streets, battling severe drug abuse, and overcoming alcoholism, they intimately understand the weight of addiction, the sting of systemic isolation, and the paralyzing burden of shame. They don't look at vulnerable populations from a distance—they look at them with the deep, unconditional empathy of someone who has shared their struggle and found a path forward.

That lived experience became the fuel for a lifelong commitment to community care. Over the past 16 years, they have served on the frontlines of Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue, and crisis intervention, paired with 6 years coordinating complex regional training networks across Northwestern Ontario—from Dryden to Toronto and into remote northern communities.