Karmen McNamara
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]
McNamara at the Canadian National Championships in July 2019 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| National team | Canada |
| Born | October 12, 1983 Red Deer, Alberta |
| Occupation | Triathlete |
| Height | 157.5 cm (5 ft 2.0 in)157.5 |
| Weight | 124 lb (56 kg) |
| Life partner | Robert James (Jim) Rabb |
| Other interests | Advocacy for persons with disabilities and mental illness. |
| Website | http://www.karmenmcnamara.ca/ |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Triathlon |
| Club | Mercury Rising Triathlon |
| Coached by | Clint Lien |
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) edit
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) edit
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) edit
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 edit
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 edit
| Year | Race | Division Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Canadian National Championships (Standard) | 1 | 2:15:00 |
| 2019 | Ironman 70.3 Victoria | 8 | 5:17:37 |
| 2015 | ITU Edmonton Standard Triathlon | 2 | 2:39:34 |
| 2015 | BC Sprint Triathlon Provincial Championships | 1 | 1:17:32 |
| 2015 | Ironman 70.3 Victoria | 40 | 5:59:34 |
| 2015 | ITU Worlds Championships Standard Triathlon | 69 | 2:39:54 |
| 2014 | Vulcan Tinman Sprint Triathlon | 2 | 1:00:27 |
| 2014 | Chinook Half Iron Triathlon | 6 | 7:01:41 |
| 2014 | Turner Valley Sprint Triathlon | 2 | 1:11:34 |
| 2014 | Kelowna Apple Standard Triathlon | 15 | 2:47:32 |
| 2014 | ITU Worlds Championships Sprint Triathlon | 45 | 1:24:40 |
| 2013 | Vulcan Tinman Sprint Triathlon | 5 | 1:06:14 |
| 2013 | ITU Edmonton Olympic Triathlon | 16 | 3:12:11 |
| 2013 | Magrath Sprint Triathlon | 2 | 1:36:17 |
| 2013 | Tri Rock San Diego Sprint Triathlon | 46 | 1:34:36 |
| 2012 | Innisfail Sprint Triathlon (Relay) | 7 | 1:31:57 |
| 2012 | San Diego SheRox Sprint Triathlon | 14 | 1:18:31 |
Source: karmenmcnamara.com (Retrieved November 24, 2016)[self-published source]
References edit
- ^ a b "Former Team Canada athlete pens open letter to City of Victoria about Crystal Pool - Victoria News". Victoria News. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society".
- ^ a b "Community rallies to bring Ukrainian teen refugees to Victoria".
- ^ "A local organization is bringing food to hundreds of Ukrainian refugees".
- ^ "When care is a matter of life of death".
- ^ "Inspiring Island Women: Karmen McNamara".
- ^ "As Ukrainians seek sanctuary on Island, logistics still being worked out".
- ^ "3 groups build relationships to house Ukrainian family in Oak Bay".
- ^ "Ukrainians coming in to B.C. see rise in human trafficking risks".
- ^ "Newcomers face unique challenges when it comes to housing".
- ^ "Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society".
- ^ "Ukrainian refugees helping newer arrivals settle in Greater Victoria".
- ^ "Camp Sunflower is expanding access to affordable summer child care".
- ^ "Displaced Ukrainians stage play on Russian invasion at Langham Court Theatre".
- ^ "'A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time' Brings the Invasion of Ukraine into Sharp and Personal Focus".
- ^ "Inspiring Island Women: Karmen McNamara".
- ^ "Road to Recovery: Woman who lost job because of COVID creates successful small business". Chek News. March 8, 2021.
- ^ CodexCoder. "AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR LISA HELPS AND THE NEW CITY OF VICTORIA COUNCIL | Karmen McNamara". karmenmcnamara.ca. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "City of Victoria looking to strike a balance with Crystal Pool redevelopment | CHEK". CHEK. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ Raymond, Yvonne (2018-11-15). "Where will Crystal Pool go? Council narrows down options for replacement facility". Vancouver Island. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ DeRosa, Katie. "Keep Crystal Pool open while new one is built: triathlete". Times Colonist. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "Council & Committee Meetings". victoria.ca. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ^ CodexCoder. "CRYSTAL POOL AND WELLNESS CENTRE | Karmen McNamara". Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ^ "Sportstats - Race Results". sportstats.ca. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ^ Union, International Triathlon. "Athlete Profile: Karmen Mcnamara | ITU World Triathlon Series". ITU World Triathlon Series. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
- ^ "Triathlon BC - Provincial Championships". tribc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-24.