Karmen McNamara explained

Karmen McNamara
Nationality:Canadian
National Team:Canada
Birth Date:October 12, 1983
Birth Place:Red Deer, Alberta
Residence:Victoria, British Columbia
Occupation:Triathlete
Height:157.5
Height Cm:157.5
Weight:124 lbs
Life Partner:Robert James (Jim) Rabb
Other Interests:Advocacy for persons with disabilities and mental illness.
Website:http://www.karmenmcnamara.ca/
Sport:Triathlon
Club:Mercury Rising Triathlon
Coach:Clint Lien

Karmen McNamara (born October 12, 1983) is a retired Canadian triathlete[1] and She was previously CEO of The Kindness Factory. McNamara is the founder and General Manager of Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society,[2] a non-profit organization that supports Ukrainian refugees on Vancouver Island, in Canada.[3] [4] She is also known for her advocacy work with people with disabilities.[5]

She was named as one of Vancouver Island's most Inspiring Women for herr work in theatre, with Help Ukraine Vancouver Island, and as a Para-lympic guide.[6]

Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society (2022-present)

McNamara's work to support Ukrainian refugees on Vancouver Island began in March 2022 in response to a sense of paralysis from other, more established, organizations.[7] Under her leadership, the organization quickly grew to be known as the leading agency for assisting Ukrainians on Vancouver Island, and a model for other agencies to follow.[3] [8] [9]

The non-profit organization [10] has assisted over 1500 Ukrainian refugees as of january 2024.[11] HUVI's work includes providing weekly groceries to over 200 families through their 7 weekly Food Share events, running a hosting program, housing-match program, peer support program, as well as providing welcome baskets to every new Ukrainian family, and offering online English classes for all levels.[12] Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society also ran a children's day camp "Camp Sunflower" for 9 weeks in the summer of 2023.[13] In January 2024, McNamara co-directed the world premiere of the play "A Dictionary of Emotions in Wartime" with Ukrainian director Diana Budiachenko.[14] [15] She was featured as one f Vancouver Island's mosst inspiring women.[16]

Business (2020-2022)

In March 2020, McNamara founded a non-medical mask shop called The Kindness Factory . She was employed as its CEO.[17] The Kindless Factory closed in September 2021 due to the lack of need for non-medical masks.

Crystal Pool (2018-2019)

McNamara is known for her advocacy work surrounding access to recreation for people with disabilities and mental illness through the Victoria Cool Aid Society and Victoria Special Olympics.

In 2018, she penned an open letter[18] to Victoria City Council in support of access to a barrier-free recreation facility known as Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre.[1] [19] [20] [21] She addressed Council on November 22, 2018,[22] and published a follow-up letter on July 2, 2019.[23]

Triathlon

McNamara won the 2019 Canadian National Championships in Kelowna, British Columbia for Standard Distance triathlon.[24]

McNamara raced for Team Canada at the International Triathlon Union World Championships in 2014 and 2015.[25]

McNamara was the 2015 British Columbia Provincial Sprint Triathlon Champion.[26]

McNamara raced her first triathlon in 2012, placing 14th in her division at the SheRox San Diego Triathlon. She trained under coach Clint Lien with the Mercury Rising Triathlon club in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Results

YearRaceDivision PlaceTime
2019Canadian National Championships (Standard)12:15:00
2019Ironman 70.3 Victoria85:17:37
2015ITU Edmonton Standard Triathlon22:39:34
2015BC Sprint Triathlon Provincial Championships11:17:32
2015Ironman 70.3 Victoria405:59:34
2015ITU Worlds Championships Standard Triathlon692:39:54
2014Vulcan Tinman Sprint Triathlon21:00:27
2014Chinook Half Iron Triathlon67:01:41
2014Turner Valley Sprint Triathlon21:11:34
2014Kelowna Apple Standard Triathlon152:47:32
2014ITU Worlds Championships Sprint Triathlon451:24:40
2013Vulcan Tinman Sprint Triathlon51:06:14
2013ITU Edmonton Olympic Triathlon163:12:11
2013Magrath Sprint Triathlon21:36:17
2013Tri Rock San Diego Sprint Triathlon461:34:36
2012Innisfail Sprint Triathlon (Relay)71:31:57
2012San Diego SheRox Sprint Triathlon141:18:31
Source: karmenmcnamara.com (Retrieved November 24, 2016)

Notes and References

  1. News: Former Team Canada athlete pens open letter to City of Victoria about Crystal Pool - Victoria News. 2018-11-12. Victoria News. 2018-11-18. en-US.
  2. Web site: Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society .
  3. Web site: Community rallies to bring Ukrainian teen refugees to Victoria .
  4. Web site: A local organization is bringing food to hundreds of Ukrainian refugees .
  5. Web site: When care is a matter of life of death .
  6. News: Inspiring Island Women: Karmen McNamara .
  7. Web site: As Ukrainians seek sanctuary on Island, logistics still being worked out .
  8. Web site: 3 groups build relationships to house Ukrainian family in Oak Bay .
  9. Web site: Ukrainians coming in to B.C. see rise in human trafficking risks .
  10. Web site: Newcomers face unique challenges when it comes to housing .
  11. Web site: Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society .
  12. Web site: Ukrainian refugees helping newer arrivals settle in Greater Victoria .
  13. Web site: Camp Sunflower is expanding access to affordable summer child care .
  14. News: Displaced Ukrainians stage play on Russian invasion at Langham Court Theatre .
  15. Web site: ‘A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time’ Brings the Invasion of Ukraine into Sharp and Personal Focus .
  16. News: Inspiring Island Women: Karmen McNamara .
  17. Web site: March 8, 2021 . Road to Recovery: Woman who lost job because of COVID creates successful small business . Chek News.
  18. Web site: AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR LISA HELPS AND THE NEW CITY OF VICTORIA COUNCIL Karmen McNamara. CodexCoder. karmenmcnamara.ca. en. 2018-11-18.
  19. News: City of Victoria looking to strike a balance with Crystal Pool redevelopment CHEK. 2018-11-14. CHEK. 2018-11-18. en-US.
  20. News: Where will Crystal Pool go? Council narrows down options for replacement facility. Raymond. Yvonne. 2018-11-15. Vancouver Island. 2018-11-18. en-CA.
  21. News: Keep Crystal Pool open while new one is built: triathlete. DeRosa. Katie. Times Colonist. 2018-11-18.
  22. Web site: Council & Committee Meetings. victoria.ca. en. 2019-07-17.
  23. Web site: CRYSTAL POOL AND WELLNESS CENTRE Karmen McNamara. CodexCoder. en-US. 2019-07-17.
  24. Web site: Sportstats - Race Results. sportstats.ca. en. 2019-07-17.
  25. Web site: Athlete Profile: Karmen Mcnamara ITU World Triathlon Series. Union. International Triathlon. ITU World Triathlon Series. 2016-11-24.
  26. Web site: Triathlon BC - Provincial Championships. tribc.org. 2016-11-24.