Joy in Action returns Aug. 9 to Bird’s Hill Park with family-friendly activities to raise awareness about human trafficking
There is joy in giving — and also in receiving.
The Joy Smith Foundation is a grateful recipient of $75,000 in funding from the Interlake Community Foundation, which will go towards the charitable organization’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
Janet Campbell is the president and CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation — and she’s also the daughter of the organizations founder and namesake.
“Our foundation is Canada’s only national and independent organization that’s dedicated to ending human trafficking. We focus on education, collaboration and healing,” Campbell said.
“We officially started this work in 2011 as far as the foundation goes, but in fact we have been involved in this work for over 30 years now and we’ve helped over 7,000 individuals through education, direct support and empowering communities. We want people to be able to recognize the signs so they can prevent it and respond to risks in their community.”
Tracy Holod, executive director of the Interlake Community Foundation, said they’re pleased to provide the Joy Smith Foundation with a top-up grant of $75,000 as part of the Communities for Gender Equality. The Fund for Gender Equality is part of a partnership between Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund.
“This ground-breaking collaboration is delivering new momentum for women’s movements in Canada and around the world,” she said. “As part of the collaboration, Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund have developed a five-year initiative to advance gender equality in Canada with support from the Government of Canada.”
The Interlake Community Foundation is the only Manitoba Community Foundation to be involved in this program, and has been since 2019, Holod added.
“Our first grant made to the Joy Smith Foundation was in 2021, and since then we have granted to them $330,000,” she said.
“The Communities for Gender Equality program had specific guidelines, and the Joy Smith Foundation was a great fit. The grants were used to focus their education and support work right here in the Interlake. Working with Ms. Smith and her team has been very satisfying.”
Campbell said the funds will help expand education and prevention programming.
“We’ll be able to continue that work, which includes community presentations and youth workshops that focus on resilience building. We have materials that have been specifically designed for youth impacted by a complex trauma, and it really helps them with their well-being and their resilience,” Campbell said.
“This is really important work. It is something that you see happening all the time in communities across the country, and the Interlake is no exception. So it’s tremendous to be able to have resources that put a dedicated effort towards prevention and community well-being.”
Campbell extends heart-felt thanks to the Interlake Community Foundation, as well as to the broader community for standing with them in their work.
“We’re very honoured and incredibly grateful for the funding because it is a meaningful investment in our mission to prevent human trafficking. We are beyond thrilled to be able to continue our work in the Interlake and build on the investment that’s been made in the community so far,” Campbell said.
“There’s so much work to be done, so we’re very grateful to the Interlake Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of this work. We’ve had amazing engagement throughout the community from those who care about this issue and want to ensure the Interlake is a safe community. It is an effort for all of us.”
Joy Smith also took a moment to share her gratitude for the contribution.
“It’s a real encouragement to continue our work helping vulnerable kids in the area,” Smith said.
Coming up, Joy in Action Week will kick off in Bird’s Hill Provincial Park on Aug. 9. This free family-friendly, community-oriented event helps to elevate the profile of the issue of human trafficking.
“People can come and walk, bike, run and participate in fun activities. We will have a police car, fire truck, face painting and a Slurpee truck,” Campbell said. “It’s just really a fun community event — and it helps start the conversation in our communities.”
To learn more about the Joy Smith Foundation, or to register for Joy in Action, visit joysmithfoundaiton.com, email info@joysmithfoundation.com or call 204-691-2455.
