Difference Makers

CJAD 800

Hosted by Sam Watts, the show features stories, interviews and listener interaction that aims to identify people and organizations doing good work in our community. There are so many great stories, wonderful people and iconic institutions that provide a variety of community services and activities. We shine a light on them and provide a forum for listeners to learn about them. People serving people – sometimes unseen, we celebrate them on this show.

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20 episodes
weekly
Avg 32 min
English

Episodes 20

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Saturday · 20 min
Amanda Moniz explains how YES has helped Quebecers looking for work
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. For more than 30 years, YES Employment + Entrepreneurship has helped over 70,000 English-speaking Quebecers find work, launch and grow businesses, and build sustainable creative careers — through free one-on-one coaching, workshops and mentorship. Joining us on the line is its Executive Director, Amanda Moniz.
October 24 · 19 min
Difference Makers - Episode 58 - Varsha Bhat
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Varsha Bhat, founder and host of the Aging With Dignity podcast, focusing on the value of providing care for those who are aging and advocating for improvements to senior care.
October 17 · 19 min
Difference Makers - Episode 57 - Anne-Marie Croteau
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Anne-Marie Croteau, Dean of the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. Anne-Marie highlights how people with a business degree can contribute to the betterment of society.
October 10 · 19 min
Difference Makers - Episode 58 - James Hughes
Sam Watts of Welcome Hall Mission shines a spotlight on the people making a difference in our communities. This week, newly elected Quebec MNA James Hughes joins Sam to reflect on his election victory and discuss his plans to address homelessness across the province. Tune in to Difference Makers; Saturdays at noon, live on CJAD 800
October 3 · 19 min
Difference Makers - Episode 55 - Sophie Dalbec
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Sophie Dalbec of Habitat for Humanity, Quebec. Habitat for Humanity makes a difference in our community by making affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home impossible for many low-income working families and individuals.
September 26 · 36 min
Difference Makers: Episode 54
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Benita Goldin joins us from Contactivity Centre, a Montreal community centre that's kept seniors active, engaged and connected for over 50 years. Also, Nori Bortoluzzi from the Nota Bene Foundation talks about Crafted for Courage, a public art project turning handmade blankets into a statement against violence against women.
September 19 · 36 min
Difference Makers: Episode 53
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Julia Asselstine joins us from Literacy Unlimited, an organization working to improve adult English literacy across Quebec. Also, Jennifer Johnson joins us from CHSSN, the Community Health and Social Services Network, which works to improve access to health and social services for English-speaking Quebecers.
September 12 · 38 min
Difference Makers: Episode 52
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Ken Quinn joins us — a tireless volunteer across Montreal's Irish community organizations, including the St. Patrick's Society of Montreal, the United Irish Societies, and the Montreal Irish Monument Park project. Mona Beck joins us — President of Seniors Action Quebec, and author of a recent Montreal Gazette op-ed challenging Quebec's political leaders to spell out a real plan for seniors ahead of the provincial election.
September 5 · 36 min
Difference Makers: Episode 51
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, Daniel Rotman joins us from Equiterre, one of Quebec's leading environmental advocacy organizations working across food, climate, consumption and transportation. Also, Amanda Murphy joins us from O3 On Our Own, a Montreal nonprofit supporting young parents and their children through transitional housing and life-skills programming.
August 29 · 39 min
Difference Makers: Episode 50
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with Andre Pereira, Xenia Project Manager & Director of Marketing and Communications for Giant Steps, which has championed autism education and inclusion in Montreal for nearly 45 years. Also, Chelsea Craig, elected Commissioner for Ward 2 at the English Montreal School Board. With back-to-school just around the corner, she's here to talk about her role and what's new at the EMSB this year.
August 22 · 37 min
Difference Makers: Episode 49
Sam Watts of the Welcome Hall Mission shines light on people who make a difference in society. On this episode, they speak with General Manager Anny Kirouac and Director of Shelter Medicine Vincent Paradis for Proanima, an animal services organization. Also, Betty Esperanza, founder of Skateboards for Hope, which uses skateboarding to build confidence and break cycles of poverty for young people.
August 1 · 36 min
Best of Difference Makers: Episode 46
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, Ugo Dionne, a volunteer in Montreal's business/corporate community and Olivier Fitzpatrick, a young caregiver who helps families manage the effects of mental illness.
July 25 · 35 min
Best of Difference Makers: Episode 45
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, 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.
July 11 · 37 min
Best of Difference Makers: Episode 44
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, 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.
July 4 · 36 min
Best of Difference Makers: Episode 43
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: John Hallward, President of Give Three and Mel Burns, a teacher who organizes the Outers Club.
July 4 · 37 min
Difference Makers: Episode 42
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 Alistair Price, President & CEO Centre Inicio, a Montreal Non-profit organization helping English-speaking Quebecers and newcomers who face unique employment challenges. Sam & James also talk to farmer Matthew Gay who has an “animal experience project” idea for the Chateaugay valley.
June 27 · 36 min
Difference Makers: Episode 41
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.
June 20 · 40 min
Difference Makers: Episode 40
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.
June 13 · 34 min
Difference Makers: Episode 39
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.
June 6 · 35 min
Difference Makers: Episode 38
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.

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