Speakers’ Series #4
Gendered Realities and the Unhoused
Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario is excited to present the fourth Speaker's Series on January 7. This month’s topic is "Gendered Realities and the Unhoused" and features 3 speakers. This is a free, in-person event. Don’t miss out on some excellent insight.
Speaker Line-up:
Ray Fangrad Ray is a registered social service worker, currently a program manager at The INN St. Thomas-Elgin, a low-barrier emergency shelter. His interest in gender equity intersects in his work with unhoused people and his own experiences as a queer person. He spends his time away from work volunteering with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Shelley Yeo Shelley Yeo worked in the Gender Based Violence and Children's services for over 40 years. She is co-founder and Co-Chair of All Our Sisters, has been a member of many community committees including London Homeless Coalition and London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse (LCCEWA). Shelley is happily retired and finds joy in her garden and with family and friends. She continues to work with All Our Sisters and sits on a couple of Boards.
Joan Atkinson
Christina Waite (Moderator) Christina Waite is a fourth-year Health Sciences student specializing in Biology at Western University. Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, she brings a unique global perspective to her academic and community work. For the past three years, Christina has been an active member of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario (GECO), where she has taken on leadership roles that have deepened her understanding of gender inequities and strengthened her commitment to advocacy.
As an aspiring physician, Christina is passionate about creating equitable, compassionate, and culturally informed healthcare environments. Her experiences with GECO have shaped how she hopes to challenge bias, elevate marginalized voices, and integrate principles of equity into her future medical practice. Outside of her academic and advocacy work, she is dedicated to continuous learning, community engagement, and supporting initiatives that promote safer, healthier communities.