Candace Thomas decided she would do anything to keep her baby.
She did everything she had to do to get off the streets, to conquer her addictions, and have a healthy baby, but she couldn’t do it alone. Bissell Centre’s Childcare Program was there to give her the support she needed to be successful.
“I trust this daycare over any daycare,” says Candace, 31. “They really have a good, high standard. The quality of care that my daughter receives is excellent.”
A year ago, Candace worked hard with a few agencies. She attended 12 step meetings, found a sponsor, attended more meetings and did everything she could in order to keep her daughter. Now she lives in a house of her own. She has successfully completed treatment for her addictions issues and continues to work on building a new life with her daughter.
She brought her now four-month-old daughter Oskiah with her to our interview. Oskiah is a healthy, happy baby who spent the entirety of our interview laughing and cuddling with her mother. Candace also looks happy and healthy, and takes every opportunity to bond with her baby. Between questions she holds Oskiah up to look into her eyes and tickle her chin.
“There’s going to be some times where you need help and you don’t know where to go. It’s good to know that there’s someone out there to support you.”
Crucial to her success in this new life, Candace says, is Bissell Centre’s Childcare Program. Team Lead Fatima Bellahmer and the other child care workers put in special care and attention that she says has been an invaluable aid.
“Fatima even calls me and asks if Oskiah coming and if I’m bringing her this week,” says Candace. “If I didn’t have the daycare I really don’t know what I’d do, to be honest. I would just be at home. Probably just trying to deal with it and struggle and struggle and struggle. Without the daycare I don’t think I’d be able to cope.”
Candace appreciates having staff and other parents she can go to with questions, be notified of other opportunities in the community, and otherwise find friendly support.
This story is from our March 2015 newsletter, which can be viewed in full here, with other great articles for you to enjoy!
Learn more about our Childcare Program. Visit Page >
We recently received a testimonial letter from a couple who are offering a safe place to live for a single mother and her children through our Homeless to Homes Program. We are very grateful for their commitment to helping, and we’re encouraged by their positive experience. The letter is a testament of the importance of working together to address housing needs and alleviating poverty in our city.
Here’s what they had to say:
“To whom it may concern,
We own a single-family house in Pleasantview and have been landlords in the Homeless to Homes program for over a year. It has been a rewarding experience for us, and we would like to encourage other landlords to participate.
In this program, a family that needs adequate and safe accommodation is provided with a place to live, while the landlord benefits by being assured that the rent will be paid on time each month. Landlords also derive a sense of well-being from knowing that they are doing a small part to reduce homelessness in the community. It truly is a win-win situation!
The family that lives in our house consists of a single mother with several children, and they have been a joy to work with. The children are well-behaved, and the house has been well cared for. They are happy to have a spacious and comfortable home with a yard, and we are happy to see them thriving.
During their time in the program, the family receives intensive support from a social worker, which means that any problems can be spotted quickly before they have a chance to grow. In our case, there have been no problems, but just knowing that our tenant has a support worker in place gives us confidence.
We want to assure landlords who may be hesitant or uncertain about participation in Homeless to Homes that the program is carefully managed and that the clients who are chosen are those most likely to succeed.
As every landlord knows, there is always an element of risk when you choose to rent a property to someone else. But in the case of the Homeless to Homes program, the risk is minimal, the rewards immeasurable”.
Please visit our website here for more information about our Homeless to Homes Program and the importance of housing to eliminate poverty.
On Saturday, Feb. 21st, the “United for Bissell” Gala Dinner & Silent Auction was held at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church in Edmonton with all proceeds from the evening supporting our efforts to eliminate poverty in our community.
A special thanks to our long-time supporters, Tammy and Clare Irwin, and to the United Church congregations that were involved, the fundraiser was a giant success with every ticket and single auction item sold.
The evening featured a full dinner service, a silent auction, musical entertainment (harpist and a recorder quartet), and was hosted by Bissell Centre’s former Executive Director Larry Derkach, who served at the organization for almost 25 years. It was also attended by our current Bissell Centre CEO, Mark Holmgren, who identified the ways Bissell Centre was looking to increase the capacity of its mandate by putting more people to work and housing more homeless.
“I really do think it is encouraging that so many [congregations] were able to be involved – and of course it is due to Bissell’s good work in the community” – Tammy Irwin
The fundraiser was inspired by the now extinct Bissellebration fundraiser and the multiple fires and floods we have experienced recently to help us overcome the financial challenges we faced. Many of the attendees were long-time supporters of Bissellebration and the event speaks to our strong ties with the United Church community.
We would like to say thank you to the following people, and to the donors and volunteers, who played an important role in planning the fundraiser and making it a success:
We recently received a hand-written letter from a 30 year old mother of three who lived a rough life growing up at the hands of domestic abuse leading to addictions and life on the streets. Her letter attests to the struggles of her past and the progress she has made to turn her life around. We are proud of her achievements and so grateful to have been there for her and her family through the tough times.
Here are a few excerpts from her letter that we would like to share:
“I am attending MacEwan University taking my Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology specializing in family, youth, and diversity and a minor in Psychology. I am in my first year and I am also a Volunteer Reintegration Team Leader for the women getting out of the prison and currently trying to get a job at CEASE to help women getting out of prostitution”.
“My children have been attending the Bissell daycare for 2 ½ years now and even through it is only one day a week, Fatima gives me 3+ days a week. For this I am so grateful because without the extra days I would not be able to attend MacEwan University, study, or achieve my career goal. I also would not be able to take my oldest son to his appointments or even be able to attend my own personal recovery meetings or counselling sessions. To put my kids in a regular daycare I would not be able to afford it. The parent portion even with subsidy would be close to $1,000 a month for all three of my kids.”
“I cannot stress enough how much the Bissell is helping me to succeed. I am so grateful that Fatima gives me the extra days a week. I would not be able to do all I’m doing without the free childcare and extra days. Also, my children love the Bissell. They are comfortable with the staff and have a lot of fun there and I’m at ease because I know they are well taken care of. Having support from the Bissell is helping me to step out of my past and into my future. They are also helping to give my kids a great future too. Thank you Fatima and daycare staff for believing in me and helping me and my family succeed, I would not be able to be where I am today without you”.
If you or someone you know is in need of family support, please visit our Child & Family Services page here.
Bissell Centre is pleased to announce that the United for Bissell Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers and Bissell Centre supporters from the United Church, will be hosting the “United for Bissell” Gala Dinner & Silent Auction on February 21, 2015 at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church. Spearheaded by long-time supporters of Bissell Centre Tammy and Clare Irwin, all proceeds from the evening will be directly supporting our efforts to eliminate poverty in our community.
“United for Bissell” seeks to bring back elements of the Bissellebration Gala, which ran for over 20 years. The evening will feature an impressive silent auction, full dinner service, entertainment, and will be hosted by Bissell Centre’s former Executive Director Larry Derkach.
It is guaranteed to be an evening of celebration in support of Bissell Centre and we would love for you to be there!
Details of the Event:
What: “United for Bissell” Gala Dinner and Silent Auction
Where: Southminster-Steinhauer Church in Edmonton (10740-19 Ave)
When: February 21, 2015
Time: 5:00pm (Refreshments) / 6:00pm (Dinner) – followed by entertainment
To purchase tickets or if you would like to know more about the “United for Bissell” Gala Dinner & Silent Auction, please contact Tammy Irwin at 780.434.6618 or by e-mail at bumble47@telus.net.
The festive season is a special time of the year to spend with friends and family. Bissell Centre wants to express a sincere thank you to all of our supporters and volunteers who helped make Christmas and New Year’s a joyous time for the people in the inner-city community.
With the support from numerous donors and over 80 volunteers, we were able to provide Christmas gifts at our Festive Giveaway event for 120 low-income families, who otherwise would have struggled to provide presents for their loved ones at home. We were able to serve close to 600 turkey dinners spread across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day in our Drop-in Centre for people who are looking for a warm meal and a place to connect with friends.
Our New Year’s Day Dinner on January 1st, we were able to serve close to 1,000 meals to people from the inner-city. With support from companies, organizations, and over 90 volunteers, the event was a special time for friends and families to come together to welcome 2015 and have what could be their first warm meal of the year.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the festive season memorable for people who struggle with homelessness and poverty in Edmonton.
As many as 800 people needing warmth and a meal will come to Bissell Centre every day over the winter. We see people who are hungry, in need of a home, and looking to change their lives.
People like Bun, who endured years of abuse, struggles with addiction and homelessness. She hurts and counts on our healing support daily.
Read HERE about how you can help people like Bun this winter.
Bissell Centre’s Thrift Shoppe has re-opened its doors at the original location at 8818-118th avenue after two devastating fires destroyed the main building in September 2013 and the temporary location in June 2014.
Thanks to everyone who supported us during the rebuild and helped to open our doors!
The re-opening of the store is vital to the well-being of low-income individuals and families in Edmonton. The two fires directly affected the 6,000 low-income people who were forced to look elsewhere for affordable clothing and household goods.
The store also provides free clothes to impoverished families and individuals through our Community Closet Program, plus it provides funding to support various Bissell Centre programs and services.
For more information about the Thrift Shoppe and donation drop-off locations and hours, please click here.
With your support we can help people like Jim, who struggled with depression and drug abuse after losing his job years ago due to health issues. Jim worked out of town and rented a room from a friend to store his belongings. Whenever he came to Edmonton, he stayed with friends and family, never needing to rent his own apartment. With no rental history and his job loss, Jim became chronically homeless. With no references to provide landlords or proof of income, no one would rent him an apartment: “At one point I had $2,200 in my pocket and I couldn’t find a place to stay, so I slept in a shelter.”
Discover emerging artists at the Art in the heART of The City Visual Art Exhibit next week at City Hall!
The Exhibit will feature 41 artworks by 12 artists who are creating in the inner city neighbourhoods of Boyle and McCauley and is the first of its kind undertaken in The City. The Exhibit will recognize, celebrate, and explore the talent and creativity of the artists who are in the core of our city.
Participant artists are from Bissell Centre and Boyle Community Services, iHuman, E4C HUB, and George Spady Society.
The Exhibit runs from Dec. 2nd -18th at Edmonton City Hall and is presented by a not-for-profit community partnership between the inner city agencies of Bissell Centre, Boyle Street Community Services, The Works Society, The City of Edmonton, and supported by the Edmonton Community Foundation and The Stollery Charitable Foundation.
For more information about the Exhibit, please view the poster here.
