Fishburn wins award
The YMCA-YWCA of Guelph celebrated and recognized 56 outstanding women who are making a difference locally and – in some cases – internationally at the River Run Centre on May 5.
The event gave out Women of Distinction awards in 11 different categories.
One of the award winners was Helen Fishburn, acting executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. She has had an lasting impact on the addictions and mental health landscape in Guelph and Wellington County over her 25-year career.
As coordinator of Community Alcohol and Drug Services, Fishburn pioneered addictions outreach services to clientele at Sister Christine’s Drop-In Centre.
As the first service resolution facilitator for children with mental health and developmental disabilities in Wellington and Dufferin, Fishburn restructured the way clients were served.
Her most significant contribution is the “Here 24/7” mental health and addiction hotline. Her vision was to provide a single entry point to services in the community and she worked across the health care and community sectors to bring the players and agencies together, to integrate services and to make the dream a reality.
