Cole`s Notes” - Executive Director`s Report

”Cole’s Notes” - Executive Director’s Report
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2012
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Anne Ailsby
Emily Rempel -
- President
Vice President
Joanne Matsalla -
Secretary
Wes Fehr -
Treasurer
Murray Walter - Past President
Directors
Catherine Aguilar
Donalee Dekowny
2011/2012 Highlights
We have had a very productive 11/12 year ending March 31 including:
- serving more than 60 women and children through the Safe Shelter
- serving more than 75 clients through outreach programs for men, women, and
children
- providing second-stage housing for 6 families
- over 40 violence prevention education presentations in schools and to community
groups for children and youth
- paint for the bedrooms and major concrete work at the Safe Shelter
- a new website at www.swcrisis.ca (with thanks to the Muriel McQueen Fergusson
Foundation)
- 6 new staff members and 3 new Board members joining us this year
- the development of a new Strategic Plan for SWCS
- planning for a new major fundraiser to be held this month
- many, many generous donations from the community for the benefit of our
clients
Ray Friesen
Lindsay Gates
Bula Ghosh
Bert Legault
Nick Smyth
I extend many thanks to our staff, Board, volunteers, and supporters as we continue
to support those experiencing abuse and crisis.
Teresa
New Strategic Plan for SWCS
Vicki Thistlethwaite
The Board of SWCS has recently adopted a new three-year Strategic Plan for 2012-2015 which
will focus on five key directions:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Teresa Cole
Phone: 778-3386
Fax: 773-0357
Email: [email protected]

A structured and meaningful shelter experience for women and children experiencing
abuse

Needs-based one to one outreach support programming for women, children, and men
experiencing abuse and crisis

Public education around interpersonal violence : it’s never too early or too late to educate

Partnerships with purpose

Investing to keep our “heart” strong (staff initiatives including professional development)
Southwest Crisis Services receives funding from the Province of Saskatchewan—Ministry of Justice
Staff and Board Service Recognition Event
On March 29 , several staff & Board
members were honoured for their service to
Southwest Crisis Services.
Staff Long Service Awards
15 years– Carol
5 years—Alison
With Gratitude
A huge thank you to all of our individual donors, to the many
groups who provided generous in-kind contributions, and to
all those who provided extra support to our clients around the
holidays season through our Adopt-a-Family program. Thank
you to the following businesses and groups who have made
financial donations to SWCS since our last newsletter :
New Venture Pastoral Charge—Aneroid
Immanual Lutheran ELW—Admiral
Pennant and District Donor’s Choice
Lancer/Portreeve and District Donor’s Choice
Shirley
McCord United Church Women
Jim
RBC Royal Bank Employee Volunteer Grant Program
Sask Tel/TelCare
Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Women—Morse
Swift Current Hairdressers
SGI Community Grant Program
Kyle Evening UCW
Junior Fortnightly Club
(l-r: Jim, Shirley, Alison. Missing: Carol )
We also welcomed new staff who joined us
during the year: Raylee, Crystal, Rebecca,
Jessie, Jennifer F. and Teresa.
City of Swift Current Sunshine Club
“Alpine Angels” - Alpine Dental Clinic
Claydon Ladies Social Club
Hallonquist Ladies Bible Study Group
Morse United Church
Chaplin United Church
Redneck Betties Roller Derby Team
Board Acknowledgement
Board members acknowledged for
completing their terms this June were:
Anne Ailsby, Nick Smyth, Vicki
Thistlethwaite, and Murray Walter
EnerPlus Corporation
Dr. Kim Kennedy
UCW Glad Hearts –Webb
Frontier United Church
Fraternal Order of Eagles #1728
Abbey & District Combined Appeal
Batco Manufacturing
Trinity United Church– Hazlet
Ponteix and Area Donor’s Choice
Southwest Community Club– Consul
Swift Current Catholic Women’s League
Cabri and District Donor’s Choice
Swift Current and Area Ministerial Association
St. Stephens CWL– Consul
RM of Gull Lake
(l-r: Nick, Anne. Missing: Vicki & Murray)
We welcomed new Board members Ray
Friesen, Bula Ghosh, and Catherine
Aguilar who have joined us this year.
Lacadena Area Women
St. Olaf’s ELW
Swift Current United Way
Paterson Grain
Living Sky Casino
Trinity Lutheran Church– Gravelbourg
What We’ve Been Doing
Shelter Makeover and Concrete Work
SWCS completed some major concrete work repairs at the rear of the Safe Shelter this fall, including new
stairs, retainer wall and driveway. Much to our delight, our shelter was also the one chosen for
Saskatchewan for a free bedroom makeover sponsored by Benjamin Moore & Co . The repainting of all
bedrooms and new bedding for all the beds was part of the package, brightening up all of these spaces!
Stairs before and after
Repainted bedroom
Fundraisers
In partnership with The Lyric, a unique one-time fundraiser was held on Oct 26 with the silent film “Faust”
presented with live piano score by Robert Bruce. The evening was enjoyed by about 50 patrons. Our sincere
thanks to event sponsor Optical Image for their support for this intriguing evening.
On Oct 31 the Alpine Church hosted its “Children’s Harvest Festival” and donated proceeds from
admission to the Safe Shelter. The donation of $1200 and all the hard work organizing this event is
appreciated!
The Swift Current United Way supports SWCS in a significant way each year. This year’s $6250 allocation
will help fund our Men’s Program.
We were also thrilled that Women’s Lives Theatre presented “The Vagina Monologues” on March 9&10
with proceeds from these important performances benefitting Crisis Services. (Event photos below)
Youth Crisis Line
As of January, SWCS is now promoting use of the Crisis Line to youth in the community after staff
completed some training specific to issues faced by teens. The Youth Crisis Line will operate 24 hours/7
days a week and teens can call in for support and referral on a variety of issues they confront. The Crisis
Line can be reached at 778-3833 or 1-800-567-3334.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
April 21
“Southwest Scavenger Quest” - the new Scavenger Hunt/Car
Rally Fundraiser– register your team of 2-5 people by calling
778-3386 by April 15. Collect $500 in pledges and compete in an afternoon of physical and
mental challenges to win great prizes. Team costumes and decorated cars are encouraged!
See the enclosed information.
June 3
24th Annual Duck Derby— two draws this year including a prize of 2 round trip tickets
anywhere West Jet flies! Tickets on sale May 1.
SWCS Annual General Meeting 4:30pm - @ 145 1st Ave NE SC Business Centre
Boardroom
Save-the-Date: SWCS at Mercator Financial “Fall Family Festival” at the Stockade
June 19
Sept 22
Children’s Outreach and Violence Prevention Education
Southwest Crisis Services assists children and youth with two programs, both staffed with fresh faces to our
organization.
The Violence Prevention Education program works with schools in Chinook School Division to provide
in-class sessions to all grade levels on topics including bullying, healthy relationships, and peer pressure .We
also do community-based presentations to children and youth. Jennifer Friesen, originally from the area and
recently returned from teaching in Alberta, brings several years of classroom experience to this role.
The Children’s Outreach Program works one to one with children who stay at the Safe Shelter, children
referred from the larger community, and female young offenders who have experienced abuse and domestic
violence. Jessie Irwin puts her Social Work degree to work in this program, offering children and youth a
chance to talk about their experiences, learn new skills, and make contact with other support agencies as
required. Both programs are free of charge to access.
Presentations Available
Does your group need a speaker? We can provide presentations free of charge on the services we provide, as well as
topical presentations to adults, youth, or children on subjects including:
Types of Abuse and the Cycle of Violence
Bullying
Healthy Relationships for Teens
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
Co-dependency
Peer Pressure
Call 778-3386 to discuss your group’s requirements.
Box 1102
Swift Current, SK
S9H 3X3
Phone: 306-778-3386
Fax: 306-773-0357
Email:
[email protected]
Crisis Line: 306-7783833
1-800-567-3334
Safe Shelter: 306-7783692
Be a Member
Membership in Southwest Crisis Services helps support our programs and provides
you with the right to attend and vote at the SWCS AGM on June 19. Please return
the enclosed membership form and $5.00 fee before May 19 for your voting membership for the 12/13 year.
Southwest Crisis Services respects your privacy. We do not rent, sell or trade our
mailing list. We use your personal information to provide you with information on
our programs, services, special events, funding needs and opportunities to volunteer
or to give. If at any time you wish to be removed from our list, simply contact us by
phone at (306) 778-3386 or by email at [email protected]