• 1: Home
• 2: Get the Facts
  • 2.1: Eating Disorders
  • 2.2: Body Image
  • 2.3: Dieting
  • 2.4: Statistics
  • 2.5: Helpful Links
  • 2.6: Additional Articles
• 3: Get Help
  • 3.1: Community Workshop
  • 3.2: Directory of Services
  • 3.3: For Someone Else
  • 3.4: For Yourself
  • 3.5: Prevention & Wellness Programs for Schools
  • 3.6: Family & Friends Support Group
  • 3.7: Individual Support Group
• 4: Get Involved
  • 4.1: Organizational Facts
  • 4.2: Membership
  • 4.3: Financial Support
  • 4.4: In-Kind Donations
  • 4.5: Professional Development Conference
  • 4.6: Donor Recognition
  • 4.7: Volunteer Application
  • 4.8: Give the Gift of Life

Organizational Facts

History

The Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition has been operating in its current format since September 1995.

From 1988 to 1995, under the auspices of the Waterloo Region Community Health Department, an Eating Disorders Awareness Week Committee met regularly to organize community events for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

In February 1995, a community networking meeting was organized to brainstorm around eating disorder prevention and treatment needs for this region.  From that, a group of individuals began to meet with the goal of acting on some of these ideas generated during the brainstorming session.  As the majority of people attending these meetings also sat on the Eating Disorders Awareness Week Planning Committee, it was logical for the two groups to join forces, becoming the Waterloo Region Eating Disorder Coalition.   In the winter of 2000 we changed our name to the Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition.

Mission Statement

To improve the lives of people affected by eating disorders, weight preoccupation and size prejudice through delivering education and prevention programs, building a supportive community and providing referrals to treatment and resources.

Goals and Objectives

- COMMUNITY AWARENESS:  To increase community awareness and understanding of eating disorders, weight preoccupation and/or size prejudice.

- EDUCATION & SUPPORT:  To increase connections for individuals and their loved ones to information, support, resources and professionally trained clinicians needed for recovery.

- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:  To organize professional development training on the topic of eating disorders and increase opportunities to share skills, support and resources.

- PREVENTION & WELLNESS:  To increase skills for building healthy balanced lifestyles, positive body image and self esteem.

Board of Directors

Barbara Arthur, President  (retired School Psychologist)            

Alison Elliott, Vice-President (former Manager, Danielle's Place)

Alison Walter, Secretary (therapist, Grand River Hospital)

Katie Devlin, Treasurer (accountant, KPMG)

Caroline Valeriote  (dietician, Nutricomm)

Mark Breathwaite (supervisor, Trellis Eating Disorders Program)

Marissa McMahon (paralegal)