Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 12, 2016
• Invested on: May 12, 2017

Joe Mancini, C.M. and Stephanie Mancini, C.M.
Kitchener, Ontario

For their commitment to the homeless and marginalized of the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, notably for the creation of the Working Centre.

As a young couple inspired by faith, Joseph and Stephanie Mancini founded the Working Centre as a response to poverty and homelessness in downtown Kitchener. From modest beginnings, it has grown into a complex of a dozen buildings that provide food, shelter, job training and other skills to more than a thousand people every day. Known for their co-operative and egalitarian principles, they lead the Centre by example and have partnered with other organizations across Canada to spread their message of hope and commitment.