Community-Led Action
Stratford Cares Citizens Council
A group of residents coming together to give input, coordinate community initiatives, and turn shared priorities into real-world action.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours
Meet the Citizens Council
The Stratford Cares Citizens Council is a grassroots group of local residents volunteering their time, ideas and experience to help strengthen our community. We listen to community needs, identify opportunities to help, and work with local organizations, volunteers and community partners to turn ideas into meaningful action. At its heart, the Council is about people helping people — building connections, encouraging collaboration and creating a stronger, more caring Stratford together.
Meaghan Manders
cHAIR
Meaghen has called Stratford home for more than 23 years, where she is raising her daughter and has built strong roots within the community. With a professional background in administration, she brings organization, clear communication, and a practical approach to her role, along with a deep commitment to supporting people through challenging circumstances. Meaghen volunteers with the Stratford Connection Centre and is actively involved with a local women’s group working to address intimate partner violence. Inspired from an early age by her mother’s compassion for people experiencing homelessness, she believes strongly in treating every person with dignity, empathy, and respect. As Chair of Stratford Cares, Meaghen brings a compassionate, assertive, and trauma-informed perspective to the Council, helping create meaningful dialogue while keeping the group focused on practical action and positive change in the community.
Rebekah Zinger
Administrator
Rebekah grew up in Milverton and has spent the past twenty years raising her family in Stratford, where she is deeply rooted and actively engaged in the community. With fifteen years of experience in Stratford’s financial services sector, she brings a grounded understanding of the complexities of financial hardship and the socioeconomic challenges facing local families. Rebekah is passionate about justice, democracy, and strengthening community connections. She is committed to building bridges across diverse groups, fostering meaningful dialogue, and driving practical, immediate change that supports the wellbeing of Stratford residents.
Rachelle Czartorynskyj
FOunder, Stratford Cares 100 Fundraising, Advertising & community relations
Rachelle has deep roots in Stratford, having moved here from Mississauga with her family at the age of 10. She has a long history of community involvement, including serving on local charitable boards, fundraising initiatives, and in leadership roles. Professionally, she brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial and real estate sectors, with a career built on relationships, communication, and trust. Her passion for giving back also led her to found Hearts4Paws Senior Cat Rescue and 100 Feline Friends Who Care, reinforcing her belief in what can happen when caring people come together. As Founder of Stratford Cares 100, Rachelle brings her experience in fundraising, advertising, communications, and community relations to the Council. She focuses on building community support, creating partnerships, raising awareness, and helping turn the Council’s ideas into initiatives that make a difference in Stratford.
Tama Smith
Research & Development, Council Growth
Tama has spent nearly her entire life in the Stratford area and has called Stratford home since 2007, where she has raised her three children and developed deep roots in the community. With an education in developmental and social services, Tama graduated with honours from Durham College’s Social Service Worker program in 2025, bringing both professional knowledge and lived experience to her work in the community.Since 2010, Tama has worked with vulnerable and marginalized populations in Stratford, including supporting unhoused youth through ShelterLink Youth Services and adults experiencing homelessness at Stratford’s warming centre. A survivor of domestic violence, her own journey has strengthened her commitment to fairness, equity, and ensuring people feel heard and supported. Tama is passionate about social justice and has been a strong advocate against racism and discrimination toward the LGBTQIA+ community, bringing compassion, insight, and a commitment to building a more inclusive and caring Stratford.
Tyler Jouwsma
Youth, 2SLGBTQI+ & Marginalized People and Business Liaison
Tyler is a progressive, forward-thinking entrepreneur and community advocate who is always ready to step up and take on complex challenges. Rooted in an educational background in global studies, business, and social relations, he brings a deeply collaborative approach to local advocacy, viewing community support through a modern, innovative lens. As an active community organizer and leader, Tyler is passionate about creating sustainable, lasting systems that serve and uplift vulnerable populations across Stratford. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Tyler channels his energy into local initiatives that protect both individuals and their closest companions. He is the founder and owner of Paws on Patrol Stratford, where he actively champions community welfare, and he has been a driving force behind the Pet Pantry Program—ensuring that families and their pets can stay together during difficult times. Beyond his grassroots efforts, Tyler brings an extensive professional toolkit to the Citizens Council, including strong business management expertise, territory scaling experience, and a proven track record in financial target acquisition and fundraising. Skilled at building long-term strategic partnerships and managing budgets effectively, he excels at mobilizing resources to maximize community impact. Tyler is dedicated to utilizing his commercial acumen and passion for social justice to help the Citizens Council build a more equitable, responsive, and compassionate Stratford.
Sai Kumar
Mutual aid & community liaison (homelessness prevention)
Sai volunteers with The Local Community Food Centre, where his passion for helping others and bringing people together is a natural fit. He also loves to cook and appreciates the way food can create connection, bridge cultures, and bring people from different backgrounds together. As Mutual Aid & Community Liaison for Stratford Cares, Sai brings a valuable newcomer perspective, genuine compassion, and a strong sense of community. He is passionate about building relationships, encouraging inclusion, and helping create a Stratford where neighbours feel connected, welcomed, and supported.
Danielle Hunter
Arts and culture liaison
Born and raised in Stratford, Danielle is a proud wife and mom in a blended family of four, with a deep love for singing, art, and musical theatre.In December 2025, Danielle opened The Pink Room Beauty Lounge alongside her business partner, Brandi Rebelo. The Pink Room is a creative collective made up of eight unique subcontractors, offering everything from hair and aesthetics to tattoos and RMT massage. The space also hosts creative events and collaborations with local businesses throughout Stratford and Perth County.Beyond The Pink Room, Danielle has written and teaches her own hybrid aesthetics courses and is an author with a passion for creating meaningful stories. Her first children’s book, Stuck in the Middle, advocates for neurodivergent youth. Since then, she has written Me Too, another children’s book, as well as her adult thriller novel, Group Chat.With a big heart for creativity and community, Danielle is excited to join Stratford Cares 100 as the Arts & Culture Liaison Representative, helping curate fun, meaningful events that bring people together while supporting a great cause
Chris Czartorynskyj
Accounting and Financial Consultant
Chris is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a background in economics and accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University. Chris has been a CPA since March 2020 and brings experience across public accounting and a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and not-for-profit organizations. With a practical and personable approach to accounting, Chris enjoys helping individuals and businesses better understand their finances and connecting them with the right accounting resources and advice. His combination of technical accounting knowledge and broader economic perspective allows him to look beyond the numbers and focus on practical solutions that support informed financial decisions.
Get Involved — Join a Subcommittee
We have several liaison positions open on the Citizens Council. If any of these speak to you, we'd love to hear from you.
- 1.Landlord and Tenant Liaison
- 2.City & Agency Liaison (trust, accountability, transparency)
- 3.Legal Liaison
- 4.Persons with Disabilities Liaison
- 5.DEI Liaison (diversity, equity & inclusion)
- 6.First Nations Liaison
Get Involved
Volunteer With The Council
Have a bit of time or a skill to share? Tell us where you'd like to help and we'll connect you with the right liaison or working group.
Want to get involved or raise a concern?
Reach out to the Citizens Council and we'll connect you with the right liaison.
Contact Us