As we look back on 2025, we see a year defined by strides in our professional impact and a deep, intentional focus on how we show up for one another. It was a year of “firsts”—from testing new ways of working to welcoming new faces—all while staying grounded in the milestones that make our team a community.
How did we modernize our culture?
This year, we took major steps to prioritize the well-being of the people who make TNC possible. After a year of piloting our no meeting Fridays, we launched our bi-weekly 4-day work week pilot. For us, impact and well-being aren’t separate goals—they’re connected. We launched this pilot to see how giving our team more space for their personal lives would help us bring more energy and focus to the communities we serve.
To support the diverse needs of our team, we also implemented new policies for Menopause and Menstruation and Caregivers. Perhaps most importantly, we transitioned from traditional ‘sick days’ to ‘Health and Wellness days,’ while also increasing the total number of days available to the team. This shift was about more than just a name change; it was an intentional choice to provide more room for our team to be proactive about their self-care.
Where did our work take us?
Our professional footprint expanded across the country, allowing us to share what we’ve learned and listen to new perspectives. We led a networking event for wage-funded organizations and networked at the Expanding Horizons conference and the Walrus Talks in Ottawa.
We were also busy on the road:
- In the Community: We led community consultations for Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) in Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Ottawa.
- In the Classroom: Our team led two professional development workshops for Wilfrid Laurier’s Social Work program, focusing on Needs Assessments and evaluation. Andrew and Katelyn also spent two hours with community-based organizations in York Region, sharing tips for evaluation and data collection.
- Learning through Experience: In the spring, Andrew and Jason participated in a “Reverse Science Fair” hosted by the PEI Alliance for Mental Wellbeing in PEI, while Kamaria joined the Black Daddies Club at the Tim Hortons Children’s Camp to evaluate first-hand experiences.
What did we learn this year?
We believe that to be good evaluators and consultants, we must be constant learners. Our team prioritized growth through a wide range of specialized sessions:
- Intersectional Knowledge: We engaged in Medicine Wheel training with Peel Newcomer Strategy Group’s former Indigenous Consultant, Mkwa, and attended the Research Matters event to better understand the isolation and employment challenges faced by immigrants with disabilities.
- Gender and Safety: Kamaria attended the Innovations in Addressing Gender-Based Violence national conference, and Jen completed training on Designing Trauma- and Violence-Informed Policies to address intimate partner violence.
- Policy & Future-Proofing: We dove into the Menopause Works Here training and attended the Seizing the Moment session to understand what Budget 2025 means for the community sector.
Celebrating our Team Milestones
Our internal family grew this year! We were delighted to welcome Sarah as a full-time staff member and have Bri join the team. A favorite moment of the year was our summer picnic, where Sarah traveled from Quebec to Ontario to meet the full team in person for the very first time. We even spent the afternoon sharing a fun game of Kubb.
Beyond the work, we celebrated the arrival of Karla’s baby and stood by one another through the loss of family members and friends. These personal moments remind us why we do what we do—and why “well-being” must always stay at the heart of our mission.
Looking Ahead: What could we build together?
As we move into 2026, we feel a renewed sense of energy and purpose. We’ve learned that the most meaningful work happens when we align our strategy with our values, and when we invest in building strong, stable working relationships. We are eager to bring that same intentionality to new partnerships. Whether you are navigating a complex evaluation, dreaming up a community consultation, or reimagining your own organizational culture, we’d love to walk alongside you. Let’s see what kind of change we can create together.