Finding Hope One Word at a Time

Every morning, Patrice carefully selects a positive word for the day, decorates a card with it, and displays it in her room at Bissell Centre’s Hope Terrace. This simple ritual has become her anchor—a way to stay grounded when life feels overwhelming.

“I’m really attempting to turn my life around, to be calm and peaceful, and not get into tornadoes,” she explains.

At 68, Patrice has overcome extraordinary challenges. Born to a 14-year-old mother and affected by FASD, she endured years of abuse in foster care. Later struggles with addiction, homelessness, and devastating personal losses—including the murder of her daughter in 2020—might have broken someone with less resilience.

But at Hope Terrace, Patrice has found something she’s never had before: genuine stability and respect.

“This is the best place I’ve ever lived,” she shares. “The support is so good. I’ve never had help like this—I’m respected, and I’ve never had that before.”
As Canada’s first dedicated housing for adults with FASD, Hope Terrace provides Patrice with specialized support that helps her manage her disability and maintain her recovery. After 15 months at Hope Terrace—the longest she’s ever stayed in one place without eviction—Patrice finally feels at home.

“Now that I have help, my burdens don’t feel as heavy,” she says.

Once dependent on others, Patrice now attends art and cultural classes, speaks at conferences about FASD, and even serves as her floor’s captain. Many younger residents affectionately call her “Kokum” (grandmother).

Thank you for your support of Hope Terrace, and for making a difference for people like Patrice.

After decades of struggle, she can finally say, “For once, I’m happy.”

From Junk Drawer to Community Impact

Stitching Hope

Decades of Warmth from Friends and Volunteers

It began with a simple “Mitten Tree” in the 1970s, when a community member named Dorothy started collecting winter items for Bissell Centre.

Forty-five years later, Dorothy has transformed the mitten tree into the Devon United Knitting Group. This dedicated circle of crafters has woven a blanket of comfort and compassion to protect their neighbours during Edmonton’s harsh winters.

So far in 2025, the knitting group, made up of drop-in members, anonymous donors and long-term volunteers, has already created 376 handmade items, from baby blankets to essential winter wear.
Their generosity doesn’t stop there. Through their thrift shop operations and personal donations, they raise vital funds that strengthen Bissell’s programs.

They also share in-kind gifts – like children’s books and toys – that bring comfort and joy to the children in our childcare program.

These nimble fingers don’t just create garments; they’ve stitched together a community of care that has warmed bodies and hearts for nearly half a century.

Help Build a Stronger Tomorrow

Each item below represents the kind of support your gift can provide—like formula for a growing baby, warm clothing for the colder months, or transit passes so someone can get to a job interview.

These simple things mean the world to someone working toward stability. Choose a gift that speaks to you, and help a neighbour feel seen, supported, and cared for this season.