Events to support Black women experiencing homelessness
Niagara College is supporting the efforts of a member of its alumni community, by donating proceeds from upcoming two culinary pop-ups to Erica’s Embrace Support Services.
Two culinary pop-ups – open to the College community and the public – will be held on Thursday, February 2 in support of Erica Erica’s Embrace, founded by NC alumna Erica Williams. The first will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a second pop-up will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Both will take place in the Benchmark Dining Room (Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake).
Williams, who graduated from NC’s Social Service Worker program in 2018 and won a prestigious Premier’s Award from Colleges Ontario in late 2022, is dedicated to making a difference to support Black women. The St. Catharines resident is a social service worker and non-profit entrepreneur. Through Erica’s Embrace, Williams and her team gather and distribute Black hair care and beauty products to women’s shelters across Southwestern Ontario. It is the only known service of this kind in the area. Her team has also expanded to Black advocacy within the Niagara region.
Erica Williams was one of two NC alumni chosen by Colleges Ontario to receive a prestigious Premier’s Award winner for 2022. Seven college graduates from across Ontario received an award last year. Williams (right) is pictured alongside another NC nominee and 2022 Premier’s Award winner: Murray Brewster (left).
“I’m extremely excited and appreciative of the support that we are receiving from Niagara College,” said Williams. “I started developing the idea to begin Erica’s Embrace when I was in my last semester at Niagara College and it’s an indescribable feeling to have the college that I went to support my initiative.”
Williams said the support from NC will bring more awareness to the work they do at Erica’s Embrace and how others can help.
“It’s important because our team attempts to fill a gap not often seen in shelters. We put a focus on support for Black women experiencing homelessness,” said Williams. “Our team consists of Black and Indigenous women with lived experiences that want to help and give back to our communities.”
Williams plans to attend the pop-ups at NC to help spread the word about Erica’s Embrace.
“Our hope is to continue to spread awareness about what we do and connect with others,” she said. “We will have a donation bin available as well for anyone that would like to donate Black hair or beauty care products on that day.”
Culinary pop-ups for a cause
Hosted by the College’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, and NC Culinary Services, culinary pop-ups are open to the College community and the public.
Food is prepared by Culinary Management students as part of their CULN1340 class, taught by Chef Professors Olaf Mertens and Scott Baechler.
“Our division and the College are proud to support Erica’s Embrace as an organization that advocates for inclusion,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to see, first-hand, how their skills and hard work can do so much more than produce food but can help those organizations that make our world a better place.”
Manager of Food Services Operations Sarah Scott highlighted the importance of collaborations with community organizations in the food service industry.
“It’s an important lesson for culinary students at NC to learn, first-hand,” said Scott.
The pop-ups in support of Erica’s Embrace are on the heels of similar events which raised $2,000 in support of Women’s Place of South Niagara on January 19, to help women and children impacted by domestic violence(view NC pop-ups raise funds for Women’s Place of South Niagara).
February 2 culinary pop-ups
The February 2 culinary pop-ups to support Erica’s Embrace will be held from 11:30 a.m.to 1: p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Benchmark Dining Room).
A pork menu and a plant-based option will be available. Menu items include pork roast, pork vindaloo, pork pie, Italian pork cutlet sub, BBQ Pulled Jackfruit on a bun (vegetarian option), and apple pie.
Meals are first-come, first served – organizers recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.
Culinary pop-ups
Culinary pop-ups were introduced at NC during Fall 2022 term and will continue during Winter 2023 term. They are scheduled to continue in February on Thursdays – twice per day from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Meals are first-come, first-served.
Visit Facebook for menus and pop-up locations.
Find out what’s next on the menu, and get the latest information about upcoming pop-ups, festivals and ticketed dining events at niagaracollege.ca/culinaryarts/culinaryservices/ or by visiting the NC Culinary Services Facebook page for more information about culinary pop-ups and academic signature events, including menus, links to purchase tickets, pricing and more.
Black History Month
The upcoming culinary pop-ups are one of several NC events that Williams will be involved with throughout February. As the College marks Black History Month, Williams will speak to the College community at a virtual event on February 21.
View Jan. 24 article here.
Related posts
Jan. 24, 2023: Alumna and social justice worker Erica Williams headlines NC’s Black History Month celebrations
Nov. 29, 2022: Two Niagara College alumni win Premier’s Awards
Nov. 25, 2022: Seven Niagara College alumni earn Premier’s Awards nominations
View encore Alumni Spotlight featuring Erica Williams here.
