The Sarnia Journal’s Stories from the Street series has been nominated for a Canadian Online Publishing Award (COPA), officials announced Dec. 1.
The series, a culmination of work by journalist Cathy Dobson and photographer Glenn Ogilvie, is among five finalists in the ‘Continuing Coverage of a Story’ category.
The COPAs — now in their 15th year — recognize excellence in Canadian digital media, and have become the country’s largest Digital Publishing Awards Program.
Editor Tara Jeffrey said the nomination is a testament to the work and dedication poured into the series — which sheds light and humanity on Sarnia’s homelessness crisis.
“Cathy and Glenn spent months on this project, getting to know these men and women and giving them a voice — to share their circumstances, their struggles, and their resilience.
“When we stop turning away, and face the suffering in our community with a compassionate lens — that’s where change begins.”
The series, published in March 2023, sparked widespread conversation and led to the launch of a grassroots committee, working to raise awareness and collaborate with community partners to find solutions.
In addition, a Stories from the Street Fund, offered through the Sarnia Community Foundation, has been established to assist with immediate needs — like distributing backpacks, tarps, sleeping bags and other necessities — and the transition to permanent housing.
A followup series in November featured more stories from men and women living rough, and photos from the entire project are now on display at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, until Dec. 24.
Other nominees in the category include:
- Global News' coverage of John Tory/Olivia Chow by-election;
- IndigiNews' coverage of suspected burial sites at the former Alberni Indian Residential School;
- The Breach's coverage of Canada's drug-price reform; and
- Reuters' coverage of Canada's Safe Third Country Agreement.
The winners will be announced in Feb. 2024.