Debora Van Brenk

I tell stories - stories that inform and inspire and give creative voice to people, causes and brands.  Welcome.

Story matters

We all have stories that can make a difference. Bringing them to life is my job and my passion.
United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Equity intern helps prioritize community voices

As part of its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and Indigenous Collaboration, and to strong community partnerships, United Way Elgin Middlesex became a participant in Western’s Black Leadership University Experience (BLUE) program. Fourth-year student Jessica Brown joined for a paid, five-month role as an equity strategy intern, with a goal of helping us improve how we operate and create impact. Can you briefly describe the project you’ve worked on at United Way Elgin Middlese
United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Volunteers spring into action

Volunteerism and community transformation were words of the day as more than 500 volunteers from 31 workplaces rolled up their sleeves at 33 agencies across London and St. Thomas and in Middlesex and Elgin counties.

United Way’s Day of Caring, presented by sponsor Libro Credit Union, made its enthusiastic return on June 8 after a three-year absence.

Volunteers tackled everything from sprucing up camp cabins to gardening and yardwork, painting, neighbourhood clean-up, building birdhouses, creat
United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Double-digit surge in 2-1-1 calls

Local queries to Canada’s 2-1-1 information hotline have soared so far in 2023 – with call volume 24-per-cent higher than this time last year, and more callers than ever with multiple needs. Housing, health and mental health/addiction needs together account for almost half the inquiries. Across Canada, the picture is similar, with double-digit increases year-over-year in the number of people seeking guidance to find basics such as food, housing and help with government assistance programs. Some
Western News •

Community campaign ‘united in local love’

Each additional supporter, and each additional dollar, brings the community one step closer to pandemic recovery. As Western began its annual campaign Oct. 7 in support of United Way Elgin Middlesex, the university is working to strengthen its generous role as the agency’s largest employee-led contributor. More importantly, said Western campaign co-chair Erika Chamberlain and Faculty of Law dean, the campus community is committed to showing its support for city and county neighbours.
Western News •

Prof helping save planet from plastic pollution

When she was a kid, Patricia Corcoran would examine interesting little stones that lined the gravel road near her home. “I always wanted to become a geologist,” she recalled. These days, the Western professor of sedimentary petrology is focused less on pebbles and more on plastics. But she was dismayed to discover these two materials are often fused together into technofossils, a rock-hard legacy of profligate consumerism.
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United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Equity intern helps prioritize community voices

As part of its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and Indigenous Collaboration, and to strong community partnerships, United Way Elgin Middlesex became a participant in Western’s Black Leadership University Experience (BLUE) program. Fourth-year student Jessica Brown joined for a paid, five-month role as an equity strategy intern, with a goal of helping us improve how we operate and create impact. Can you briefly describe the project you’ve worked on at United Way Elgin Middlese
Western News •

New Gray chair aims to solve chronic pain

Few people enjoy talking about, or even thinking about, chronic pain. But Siobhan Schabrun has made it her life’s work to study this pressing challenge in health care. “Chronic pain is a massive global health burden. It also has an economic burden that is second only to cancer,” Schabrun noted.
And in human cost, it is one of the most pervasive – and limiting – of medical issues. It hampers mobility and impedes daily activity, disrupts mental health and affects quality of life.
United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Volunteers spring into action

Volunteerism and community transformation were words of the day as more than 500 volunteers from 31 workplaces rolled up their sleeves at 33 agencies across London and St. Thomas and in Middlesex and Elgin counties.

United Way’s Day of Caring, presented by sponsor Libro Credit Union, made its enthusiastic return on June 8 after a three-year absence.

Volunteers tackled everything from sprucing up camp cabins to gardening and yardwork, painting, neighbourhood clean-up, building birdhouses, creat
United Way Elgin Middlesex •

Double-digit surge in 2-1-1 calls

Local queries to Canada’s 2-1-1 information hotline have soared so far in 2023 – with call volume 24-per-cent higher than this time last year, and more callers than ever with multiple needs. Housing, health and mental health/addiction needs together account for almost half the inquiries. Across Canada, the picture is similar, with double-digit increases year-over-year in the number of people seeking guidance to find basics such as food, housing and help with government assistance programs. Some
Western News •

Community campaign ‘united in local love’

Each additional supporter, and each additional dollar, brings the community one step closer to pandemic recovery. As Western began its annual campaign Oct. 7 in support of United Way Elgin Middlesex, the university is working to strengthen its generous role as the agency’s largest employee-led contributor. More importantly, said Western campaign co-chair Erika Chamberlain and Faculty of Law dean, the campus community is committed to showing its support for city and county neighbours.
Western News •

Prof helping save planet from plastic pollution

When she was a kid, Patricia Corcoran would examine interesting little stones that lined the gravel road near her home. “I always wanted to become a geologist,” she recalled. These days, the Western professor of sedimentary petrology is focused less on pebbles and more on plastics. But she was dismayed to discover these two materials are often fused together into technofossils, a rock-hard legacy of profligate consumerism.
Load More

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