Introducing the Community Advisory Council

Jul 23, 2026

For many years, CMHA Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) has benefited from the guidance, advocacy, and lived experience perspectives of both the Family Council and the Client Council. The Family Council, established in 2017, and the Client Council, established in 2023, have both played important roles in ensuring the voices of families, caregivers, and individuals with lived and living experience help inform programs, services, and organizational decision-making.

Since October 2025, members of both councils have been engaged in a thoughtful and collaborative process to explore how they could work together as a single advisory body. Supported by Caroline Folkman from Toward Common Ground, members reflected on the strengths and accomplishments of each council, identified shared values and priorities, and developed a common vision for the future.

The discussions highlighted the many similarities between the two councils. Both councils were committed to improving services, advocating for meaningful engagement, promoting recovery-oriented and person-centred care, having representation from diverse backgrounds, and ensuring lived and living experience informed organizational decision-making.

Through several months of collaboration, members co-created new Terms of Reference, and guiding principles to be a stronger, more inclusive advisory council that brings together diverse perspectives and experiences.

We are pleased to announce that the Family Council and Client Council have officially merged to become the CMHA WW Community Advisory Council (CAC).

The CAC brings together clients, participants, family members, caregivers, and community representatives to provide advice, feedback, and recommendations that help shape programs, services, policies, and strategic initiatives across CMHA WW. The CAC will amplify diverse voices, foster collaboration, and support meaningful engagement in ways that help improve the experiences of those we serve.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all past and current members for their dedication, leadership, and commitment throughout this transition. Their thoughtful contributions have laid the foundation for the CAC, and we look forward to the impact this new council will have in helping strengthen services and supports for CMHA WW and our community.

Co-Chairs
Meghan Shuebrook, Manager, Self Help and Peer Support Services
Teresa Hatch, Community Member

To learn more about the CMHA WW Community Advisory Council (CAC) or to get involved, please contact council@cmhaww.ca or visit cmhaww.ca/getinvolved/council.