Difference Makers

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Denise Hupé, Executive Director of ABOVAS, a West Island nonprofit organization whose incredible volunteers help seniors and adults get to essential appointments on the island of Montreal. Sam & James also talk to the Honourable Anna Gainey, Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount and Canada's Secretary of State for Children and Youth.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Jon Reider, Executive Director of Myra's Kids, a local organization dedicated to supporting children, youth and their families who are coping with loss and berevement. Sam & James also talk to Dr. Lionel Carmant, Quebec's Minister Responsible for Social Services – which includes efforts to address homelessness.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Suzanne Dazell of CN Rail. CN has committed $100 million over the next ten years to launch its new signature giving initiative, CN Railroaders for Change, aimed at preventing homelessness across its North American rail network. Sam and James also talk to Caroline Samne and Lisa Felice of AMCAL Family Services, a non-profit community-based organization serving families in Montreal and its surrounding areas for 50 years.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Steven Atme, a Montreal-based musician, composer, speaker, and prominent advocate for autism and disability rights. Sam and James also talk to Louis-Phillipe Myre, Director of Real Estate Development for Interloge, a Non-Market Affordable Housing Provider.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Joseph Reynaud, Chairman of L’Arche Canada – specializing in restructuring, insolvency and commercial litigation – and Lise Andrée Massé, Education and Prevention Manager at ANEB, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals affected by eating disorders.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Stephen Bronfman who heads Claridge — a private equity firm — and Larry Waters, a retired finance professional with CIBC who founded the Two Cent Fund.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Susan Wylie, Executive Director of Le Nichoir, a non-profit that provides proper care and treatment for injured or orphaned wild birds and releases them back into their natural habitat. They also talk to David Rodrigue, Executive Director of the Eco museum Zoo.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Art Campbell, Director of Québec Homelessness Prevention Policy Collaborative and Ian Boeckh, President and Director of the Graham Boeckh Foundation, a private family foundation that is dedicated to transforming mental health services.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. This week, Sam and James speak to Hannah Ryan, a social integration services teacher. For the past 10+ years she has worked (and continues to)at WIAIH West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped) as an Animator, Head Animator, and Lead at Summer Sleep away camp. They also speak to Adrienne Winrow, who is the Executive Director of Y4Y Québec. She has strengthened major initiatives such as Youth on Boards, which places young adults on nonprofit boards, and the Annual Youth Forum, aprovince wide gathering where youth discuss the issues shaping theirlives. 

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. This week, Sam and James spoke to Jack Jones. an uber-volunteer: He has been volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Montreal for about a year, at On Rock for 15 years and at Hadley House for 20, where he sits on the board of directors in charge of the fundraising committee. Sam and James also give a well deserved shoutout to some difference makers in our community.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with, Douglas Leahy, Group Commissioner at Westmount Park Scouting. He has been the Westmount Park Scout Leader since 2004, and is on the Board of Directors of the St-Patrick's Development Foundation. They also speak with Scott Phelan, Vice President with the Montreal Irish Monument.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with, Robyn Dalton, Executive Director at LOVE (Canada). LOVE, or Leave Out ViolencE, started in the mid-1990s to reduce youthviolence by helping at-risk young people develop empathy and confidence, and Pascal Mathieu, VP at Canadian Red Cross Quebec, who became Vice President of the Red Cross in Quebec in 2015.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Marie Christine Le Bourdais, Director of Programs and Services – Partnership and Alliance Development at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. Susana Lazaro is President and CEO of Diabetes Quebec. As a former nurse, Susana brings a deep, real-world understanding of the healthcare system and collaborates closely with healthcare professionals, hospitals, and government partners to drive meaningful change.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Dr. Olivier Farmer, a psychiatrist at Notre-Dame Hospital and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal. Mike Weston is the director of Andy’s House Treatment Centre. He co-founded Andy’s House Treatment Centre with the intention of filling a need for more heart-centered care in the recovery world.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Valerie Assouline who, with more than two decades of experience as a family lawyer, having been a prominent member of the Quebec Bar since 1998, founded SOS Avocats in 2007. Sandra Watson is Mental Health & Reintegration Director at the West Island Mission. Sandra has over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and seniors facing food insecurity, social isolation, grief, and complex psychosocial challenges.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Leslie Acs, Executive Director of La Passerelle, Leslie devotes his efforts top providing tools and support for mature workers’ re-entry into the workforce and creating public awareness of effective recruitment practices, including hiring mature workers. Millie Tresierra is co-founder of Family Care Collective, deeply implicated for almost two decades in advocacy for perinatal mental health resources as a Doula. Millie is a community advocate focused on working with marginalized communities in Montreal.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Jean-Rémi Mayrand, founder of Les Colocs de l'Ouest, a fabulous residential project on the West Island developed for young adults on the autism spectrum. Judy Martin is the Executive Director of the Hylcan Foundation, which accepts grant applications from registered charities across Canada.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with John Gladu, director of L’Aiguillage since 2014, an organization that offers support to the homeless population of Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Benoit Langevin is City Counsellor for District du Bois-de-Liesse, Arrondissement de Pierrefonds-Roxboro. He has consolidated a team of youth outreach workers in 10 municipalities on the West Island of Montreal.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Dr. Arwa Hussain, a Ph.D scholar specializing in religion, gender, and digital media. Arwa is a Sacred Writes Public Scholarship Fellow whose research on the religious agency of Dawoodi Bohra women has been recognized with the prestigious Prix Relève Étoile Paul-Gérin-Lajoie. Ryan Beauchamp is a Certified Athletic Therapist, personal trainer, and founder of “pebble,” a nonprofit initiative on a mission to make giving back accessible, flexible, and fulfilling for young professionals.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Leslie Roberts currently sits on the board of TALQ, formerly the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), one of the province’s leading advocacy organizations for English-speaking Quebecers. Pearl Eliadis is an award-winning lawyer, educator, and author who has successfully led global human rights projects for the UN and other agencies, and has led in-country missions in China, Ethiopia, Nepal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan and Timor Leste.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Alessia Di Giorgio, Director of Events at The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and Danny Williams, founder of the West Island Men's Shed.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Rosemary Cooke, President of the McGill university Retiree Association, and Michele Chappaz, Executive Director of MMFIM (Mouvement pour mettre fin à l'itinérance à Montréal).

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Marina Boulos-Winton has recently been named to head Sun Youth. Marina has devoted her considerable energy and vision to supporting society’s most vulnerable people, particularly women and youth in precarious circumstances. Sophie Gaillard has worked at the Montreal SPCA since 2013 as one of the first and leading animal protection lawyers in Quebec and Canada. As Director of Animal Advocacy and Legal and Government Affairs, Sophie oversees the organization’s efforts to advance animal law and strengthen animal protection legislation and public policy at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Soraya Martinez Ferrada is Mayor of Montreal and has served as leader of Ensemble Montréal since 2025. Soraya tells us in what ways she'd like to be a difference-maker for the city. Antonia Macris is Manager of Corporate Learning and National Youth Network, Co-Chair at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Antonia is a dynamic community leader with over a decade of volunteer leadership experience advancing initiatives that support education, environment, youth, women, and culture.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode: Chris Gobeil, a chartered professional accountant in Hudson, Quebec with over 30 years of volunteer leadership and creative work, making him a passionate advocate for the arts and his community. Also, Jennifer Hobbs Robert who is a bilingual healthcare leader with advanced training and decades of experience in senior and end-of-life care, dedicated to advancing compassionate, high-quality health standards and supporting vulnerable communities.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best of episode: Valentino Pietrantonio - Executive Director of Big Brothers / Big Sisters West Island and Meagan Sommerville, who runs West Island Community Shares.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this Best of episode: Claude Pinard - President of the Montreal Executive Committee, volunteer Norm Horner and fundraiser Jim Morrison.  

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at a volunteer influencer, a group of families who sing Christmas carols at a veteran's hospital and a remarkable local palliative care centre.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode,they take a look at philanthropy

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at the impact of giving and the impact of a teacher with student school activities. Plus hear some of the listener submitted shout outs to difference markers in the community.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at volunteers in Montreal's business/corporate community and young caregivers who help families manage the effects of mental illness.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at a horse rescue shelter and explain how people who start volunteering at a young age are more likely to continue doing so when they're older.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at Hope for Dementia and employment in Quebec.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at Communitas and their work of reintegrating people who have spent time in prison into society.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they explore a fundraising initiative which has been collecting cans and bottles with the help of the community in order to raise money for cancer charities. 

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at the benefits that volunteering as a Big Brother or Sister have on both the mentor and the mentee.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at women getting back on their feet and and an elementary school volunteering for Thanksgiving

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they look at people and initiative making a difference through the power of sport.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they shed light on the Theresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence and West Island Community Shares.

Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission and James Hughes of the Old Brewery Mission shine light on people who make a difference in society. On their inaugural episode they take a look at theatre and the performing arts.

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