We can often accomplish more together than we can on our own. At Threads of Life we find evidence of this all the time, in our partnerships, our volunteer relationships and the programs that serve individuals and families coping in the wake of tragedy.

Feeling that you’re not alone can be a powerful thing. It’s the principle behind Threads of Life’s cornerstone Volunteer Family Guide program, and Diane experienced that power after her son Michael died on a construction project, at just 18 years old. 

“I needed to speak with someone who knows firsthand just what I’m going through and how I’m feeling,” Diane says. “I needed to confirm that the way I’m feeling is normal. The emotions I’m going through are normal. I needed to know that I am going to be alright.”



Diane was matched with a trained Volunteer Family Guide and that has made a huge difference. Read more about her experience and how the VFG program has helped.

For many of Threads of Life’s partners, volunteers and sponsors, the Regional Development Coordinators (RDCs) are the front line of the organization. RDCs develop and maintain relationships with our partners, coordinate community outreach, support volunteers and businesses in raising funds and awareness. On a typical day you may find them staffing a trade show, attending a committee meeting, recruiting volunteers, writing grant proposals or drafting thank you letters. If you have a question about Threads of Life or Steps for Life, your RDC is the perfect first stop. With the recent addition of two new coordinators, the RDC team now includes:

• Shari Hinz, Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB, NT, YT) shinz@threadsoflife.ca

• Georgina Murphy, Central Canada (ON, NU) gmurphy@threadsoflife.ca

• Dwayne Boyd, Atlantic Canada & Quebec (NS, NB, NL, PE & QC) dboyd@threadsoflife.ca

In every sector, safety = planning, and agriculture is no different. Once again for 2024, Threads of Life is a friend of Ag Safety Week, March 10-16. The week emphasises the importance of planning for safety every day. Read more on the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association website.

One of the exciting aspects of Steps for Life is seeing the companies, organizations and family groups who step up to be part of the Team Challenge. New teams join the challenge each year, and many come back year after year to demonstrate their health and safety commitment, and make a difference for those affected by work-related tragedy. Team Challenge contenders compete to raise the most funds for Threads of Life.

One of the longest-running challengers is the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) with their Heart and Soles team.

“CCOHS first officially participated in the 2007 Steps for Life Hamilton walk as part of the local organizing committee and as walkers, and has every year since,” says Lynda Brown, Manager of Communications Services for CCOHS. CCOHS staff also continue to sit on the planning committee for Steps for Life in Hamilton.

“We are connected to the cause of Threads of Life and it represents the ‘why’ in the work we do at CCOHS – to prevent further workplace tragedies,” she adds. “We walk to remember and honour those who have been lost to workplace injuries and illnesses and to renew our commitment to protecting workers.”

If you’d like to join the Steps for Life Team Challenge, learn more by visiting stepsforlife.ca, or call one of our Regional Development Coordinators at 888-567-9490.

ICYMI: On the blog

Threads of Life - Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support

(519) 685-4276 | contact@threadsoflife.ca