Show Notes
Abby Cooper of Hearts Open For Everyone comes into the studio to talk about H.O.P.E. and the Multicultural Festival of Elmira.
The interview starts at 6m35s.
Online:
- Hearts Open For Everyone (H.O.P.E.): https://heartsopenforeveryone.ca/
-
Multicultural Festival of Elmira (MFE):
https://heartsopenforeveryone.ca/multicultural-festival-of-elmira/
- Facebook: Hearts Open For Everyone (@heartsopenforeveryone) | Facebook
- Instagram: Hearts Open For Everyone (@heartsopenforeveryone) | Instagram
- YouTube: Hearts Open For Everyone (@HeartsOpenForEveryone) | YouTube
- E-mail: Media Relations: acooper@heartsopenforeveryone.ca
Upcoming Events
- What: Multicultural Festival of Elmira
- When: 11:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday 20 September 2025
- Where: Gibson Park
- Location: 17 First Street West, Elmira, Ontario Map
- Online: https://heartsopenforeveryone.ca/multicultural-festival-of-elmira/
- Contact: info@heartsopenforeveryone.ca
Podcast
Download: ckms-community-connections-2025-09-08-episode216-abby-cooper-of-hearts-open-for-everyone.mp3 (52 MB, 57m00s, episode 216)
Index
| Time | Title | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0m00s | Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc |
 CKMS Community Connections |
Steve Todd |
| 0m46s | Old Ghosts |
 (YouTube) |
Awake & Dreaming |
| 6m35s | Abby Cooper talks about the origins of Hearts Open For Everyone. | ||
| 7m47s | Abby tells us about the Multicultural Festival of Elmira and why it’s not the “Elmira Multicultural Festival” — it’s to avoid acronym confustion with the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, which has provided support to MFE. | ||
| 9m19s | Abby tells us about the needs for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the reasons for H.O.P.E. It is more than just the MFE, and focuses on the rural townships. There has been a lot of acceptance, with more and more people attending their events. Abby, who is a person of colour herself, hasn’t experience racism or exclusion in Elmira, but the Region of Waterloo is rated one of the worst communities for hate crimes. H.O.P.E.‘s approach is to educate about culture. The MFE is the showcase event to make that happen. | ||
| 17m02s | Kaleidoscope |
 Rodeo Heart |
Codename Justine |
| 21m00s | Abby runs down the entertainment and food at the Multicultural Festival of Elmira. | ||
| 29m41s | Redeye |
 (single) |
The Whythouse |
| 33m01s | Abby tells us of the other activities that are happening at the MFE. There are eight cultures represented in the Cultural Tent. There’s an art project, the mural produced will be exhibited at the Breslau branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. There is Indigenous hair braiding, and a presentation on lacrosse. There are also Mennonite exhibits. And there’s free henna art and face painting. | ||
| 39m45s | Abby tells us of some of the logistics of planning, which started in January. Telling us how the organization grew. Abby gives contact info on how to get involved. E-mail Abby at acooper@heartsopenforeveryone.ca | ||
| 42m26s | Things Aren’t Like They Used To Be |
 LoFi Mind II |
LoFi Mind |
| 46m46s | Talking about other volunteer opportunities throughout the year, including placement opportunities from Conestoga College. Abby gives a bit more of the support and sponsors for the festival. There are two streams of funding, one for H.O.P.E., the other for MFE. | ||
| 51m33s | Abby tells us of her plans after the MFE is over: A birthday celebration for her nephew! And there will be other programs, like a Muslim workshop in October/November, talking about hate crimes. In December there is “Holidays With H.O.P.E.“, how different cultures celebrate their holidays. Check the H.O.P.E. website for more upcoming events. | ||
| 55m30s | Bob gives the end credits. | ||
CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
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Bonus Video
Video: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 8 September 2025 (Radio Waterloo Video, 288 MB)
Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2025 by the participants, and released under a 
Creative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders. The theme music is written and performed by Steven Todd.