About

Inspiring connected fellowship and collective impact

Decades of ministry & advocacy evolved into a hub for change

Contagious Hope is the outcome of nearly two decades in ministry, community engagement, advocacy, and program development by founder Rev. Alexa Gilmour and grew to what is is now with the help of a team of experts.

It sprouted from a seed planted in 2020 when the United Church of Canada Foundation’s McGeachy Senior Scholarship was awarded to Alexa amid the COVID pandemic and grew through her Doctoral studies.

During this time, Toronto's Windermere United Church, where Alexa served, expanded its essential services by coordinating a food bank, meal delivery program, and neighbourhood mutual aid network. The church's established trust in the community led to over 400 non-church members joining their efforts. They also worked with the community and faith groups across the city on campaigns addressing systemic injustices, including 2SGBTQI+ rights, anti-racism, shelter and housing rights, anti-poverty, immigration and refugee reform. You can read about this in the book, For the Sake of the Common Good.

Through research and practice, Alexa helps people put their faith into practice, following Christ into the streets where they serve the community and advocate to change public policy for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

This led to the creation of Contagious Hope.

Contagious Hope aims to be a positive, viral force, igniting a chain reaction that meets local needs and advocates for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.”

— Alexa Gilmour, Founder of Contagious Hope

Alexa Gilmour

Founder | Justice & OutREACH LeAD

  • Alexa Gilmour, is a passionate human rights activist, writer, United Church of Canada minister, and founder of the Contagious Hope Network and Stone Soup Network. Her award-winning effort focuses on building intersectional coalitions for change, that includes inviting people out of the pews into the streets where basic needs can be met and barriers to systemic injustice torn down.

    Known for inspiring visionary thinking, Alexa has a proven track record in helping people align with their community's goals.

Saleh Sheihk

Community Outreach & Advocacy

  • Saleh is a passionate social justice advocate and community leader dedicated to creating positive social change. He is committed to eradicating poverty, Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia. Saleh has extensive international experience advocating for refugees, newcomers, and accessibility in various African cities. Fluent in Arabic, Tigre, and English, Saleh grounds his international work experience in his new home, Toronto. Here, he works tirelessly to develop a compassionate approach to raising awareness about issues related to xenophobia, poverty, homelessness, housing circumstances for Canadians, newcomers, and disability justice. He is making a significant impact by creating programs that bring about transformative change for the betterment of all Torontonians.

Consultants (List Coming soon)

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Advisors (List Coming soon)

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Uniting in shared values for impactful partnership

  • Justice

    Empowering congregations to enact authentic faith through actions that foster fairness and rectify injustices in their community.

  • Equity

    Embracing diversity and inclusivity, ensuring fair access and opportunities for all in their pursuit of community betterment.

  • Compassion

    Inspiring a culture of kindness where every action and initiative is rooted in empathetic engagement.

 Contagious Hope helps those looking to do good find each other.

Want more information? 

See the Contagious Hope Resources. Here you’ll find:

  • Articles on Local Advocacy Initiatives

  • Sermons on Justice and Community Engagement

  • Our work in the Media