This past year, the Rotary Club of Cambridge Preston-Hespeler set out with a clear and courageous purpose: to bring greater awareness and education to the realities of human trafficking and its impact on the local community. What began as a handful of modest ideas quickly grew into one of the club’s most moving and inspiring initiatives, an evening that did more than inform. It awakened hearts, opened difficult conversations, and reminded everyone in the room that meaningful change often begins when a community chooses to stand together.

The event, titled Shining the Light: A Community United Against Human Trafficking, brought together survivors, law enforcement, frontline workers, city councillors, provincial and federal representatives, and local support organizations for an unforgettable gathering at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge’s Gaslight District. Set along the beautiful Grand River, the venue became more than a backdrop; it became a meeting place for compassion, courage, and collective responsibility.

The night opened with remarks from the club president and the chair of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, setting the tone for an evening rooted in education, empathy, and action. Speakers included MPP Jess Dixon, Stephanie Hunte from SASC, and Danielle Churly, a survivor and advocate whose story offered a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

A particularly meaningful touch was the way committee members each took part in introducing and thanking the speakers. Rather than feeling formal or scripted, these personal moments created warmth and connection, making the evening feel intimate and deeply community centred.

During intermission, guests had the opportunity to connect with local organizations including SEEDS, Elora House, Rising Angels, Region of Waterloo Housing, Wild and Free Café, and SASC. Around information tables and over conversation, community members learned not only about the scope of the issue, but also about the resources, people, and partnerships already working to support survivors and prevent exploitation.

The second half of the evening continued with words from MP Connie Cody, Sgt. Jeffrey Merrigan from the Waterloo Regional Police Human Trafficking Division, Monique Ekres from Victim Services, and Katarina MacCleod, survivor and founder of Rising Angels. Together, their voices painted a fuller picture of human trafficking, its warning signs, it’s devastating effects, and the urgent need for communities to respond with knowledge rather than silence.

The survivors who bravely shared their experiences did not hold back. Their stories were deeply personal, profoundly eye-opening, and at times difficult to hear. Yet that honesty was exactly what made the evening so powerful. It challenged assumptions, created understanding, and reminded attendees that behind every statistic is a person whose dignity, safety, and future matter.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that Shining the Light had become more than a single event. City councillors were inspired, community leaders took notice, and the Rotary Club of Cambridge Preston-Hespeler was deeply moved by the impact of what had been created. The conversations sparked that night continue to ripple outward, encouraging collaboration with other clubs across the district and strengthening a shared commitment to education and awareness.

This is just the beginning. The club’s anti-human trafficking work will continue as a year-round initiative, with Shining the Light planned as an annual event. Its message is simple but urgent: when a community is willing to learn, listen, and act, it can become a powerful force for protection, hope, and change.

For clubs and community partners who want to be part of this growing movement, the invitation is open. Reach out to the Rotary Club of Cambridge Preston-Hespeler and help shine a light where it is needed most.

 

 

Written by Kristin Wolf

Chair of “Shining the Light”

Chair of Community Services 2026/27 Rotary Club of Cambridge Preston-Hespeler

 

“Shining the Light” 2025/26 Committee members: Russell Hooper (Co-Chair), Paul McMenemy, Lina Veglia, Paul T. Cody, Brayden Hooper