LLOYDMINSTER INTERVAL HOME GREETINGS

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1 DECEMBER 2017 LLOYDMINSTER INTERVAL HOME GREETINGS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! It s the most wonderful time of the year here at LIH!! It is the time of year I look forward to the most as we get to see so many smiles, much laughter and generosity abound! Christmas is a time when we reflect on how blessed we are and about how we can support others who are not as fortunate as we are. IN THIS ISSUE It is for this reason we see so much generosity of spirit bestowed on the women, children, youth and families we support throughout the year. Through this generosity we are able to help families experiencing trauma and stress receive the gifts of Christmas and spread joy to those GREETINGS FROM who need it most. For our 20th year in a row, we have partnered with Lloydminster EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S Comprehensive High School s Leadership Class for Rudolph s Roundup. This fundraiser sees DESK these young leaders set out to acquire donations of toys, clothing, and personal items for the women and children that have visited our shelters, outreach program and Lloydminster BOARD OF DIRECTORS Community youth Centre. Year after year we are blown away by just how much these youths go GREETINGS above and beyond to help others in need. It is truly amazing to witness! As we begin to celebrate the season and prepare to close another year hear at LIH, I want to thank our amazingly dedicated team of Board of s, staff and volunteers for your steadfast IN OUR COMMUNITY dedication to supporting vulnerable individuals impacted by violence and homelessness. Without you, women would not have safety and options, children would not receive safety and childthank YOU! centred support, youth would not have a safe place to belong, and our community would not have the resources it needs for all individuals to be safe from violence and homelessness and build safe and healthy lives of well-being for themselves. Also, thank you to our generous supporters who give their time, talents and funds year after year to support what we do in our community. Without you, we would not be able to provide needed Lloydminster Interval Home refuge for people seeking safety, support and knowledge to enhance their lives. Without you, we 24 hr Support Line Shelter Admin: would not be here for our community. Thank you to all, Merry Christmas! Angela Rooks-Trotzuk Executive 'For The Interval' Store: LCYC: Find us on Facebook

2 DECEMBER 2017 GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD The freshly fallen snow is a reminder that the holiday season will soon be upon us, it is time to look back over this past year s blessings and look forward to all that 2018 will bring us. Throughout 2017, the Board of s has worked hard to finalize the formal amalgamation of the Lloydminster Interval Home and the Lloydminster Community Youth Center, operating as one cohesive notfor-profit organization. LIHS is rapidly emerging as a leading edge and comprehensive social services agency with a Mission to provide safety, support and education by empowering the children, youth, adults and communities we serve. LIHS continues to maintain a high level of excellence and professionalism in the community by providing sheltering and support services with Honesty, Integrity, Respect and Compassion. All of this would not be possible without the outstanding leadership team and dedicated employees. Each year, the Lloydminster Interval Home s dedicated volunteers contribute thousands of hours to support the services we provide to children, youth and families. Volunteers enrich our programs and enhance the lives of others through their commitment, support, knowledge and enthusiasm -- for that we THANK YOU! We also extend great appreciation to the many businesses and individuals who have given support to the Lloydminster Interval Home Society through donations, sponsorships and gifts-in-kind. May your holiday season and the New Year be filled with joy and happiness! The Lloydminster Interval Home looks forward to working with you in the coming year and hopes our business relationship continues for many years to come. Kristy Miazga Chair Board of s Kristy Miazga Board Chair Darryl Benson Don Smith Jim Taylor Vice Chair Catriona Blythe Secretary Les Hanson Maria Kokonas Treasurer Lisa Castle Harland Lesyk Non Profit of the Year On behalf of those we serve, our donors, staff, volunteers and board members, we could not have the success we have without you. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the efforts of our organization through this award.

3 LET'S CONNECT! Meet Lesley, our new Public Education Facilitator. She would love to speak with your organization, business, or school with an informative, activity based, information session! Topics include: Healthy Relationships Relationship Violence Impacts of Violence on Children Bullying Friendship Self Esteem and more... Call or 10 Weeks of Work Self Empowerment for Women Group; wrap up of sessions, discussions and all the learning! Family Violence Prevention Month Our 2017 campaign was another great success. We were happy to have 2 great signature events; our annual Breakfast with the Board, and the Kick off Event at City Hall where the proclamation was signed and greetings were shared by Deputy Mayor Toressan, our Executive Angela RooksTrotzuk, and partners of the campaign. Bringing awareness to this issue in our community is a big highlight of our year as we are able to dispel myths, bring forward information, and engage community members. Our Reach Out. Speak Out. travelling silhouettes received 758 signatures of support through the campaign and our metal silhouettes were on display in 8 prominent locations. Special thanks to FCSS Lloydminster and the Public Works Department of the City of Lloyd for their support during this campaign! 758 Signatures of Support! Upon completion of the 10 weeks in the Self Empowerment for Women group, the women were encouraged to reflect on their accomplishments. Here is what they shared: I feel more confident in myself and it s easier to make decision I feel like I have a voice now and I can say what I m thinking It s helped me to reach some goals that are really important to me Being in the group has helped me to open up and break out of my shell. I learned that I m not alone and I m not the only one dealing with these things

4 DECEMBER 2017 Spotlight on Youth With our exciting and vibrant new wave of youth, we are so excited to share this story: A 13-year-old male joined us in the Fall of 2017 as a new member. He attends our programs regularly and has made many new friendships, while having the opportunity to bond with school friends as well. This youth has had a very meaningful impact on LCYC as he is always smiling, encouraging, participating in programs and engaging with all youth who enter the building! After a couple of months attendance, the youth approached staff to inquire about opportunities for leadership within the Centre! The youth had the experience of participating in various leadership conferences and training and was looking for an opportunity to give back to LCYC because you have done so much to help me with everything. We are so pleased to announce that this young man is now part of our LCYC Youth Executive and thriving in his new role at the Centre! YOUTH CENTRE HIGHLIGHTS LOTS TO CELEBRATE Over 4200 hot meals have been served at the LCYC this year! Winter activities like tobogganing, skating, wiener and marshmallow roasts are a big hit! Holiday traditions of tree decorating, cookie decorating, making Christmas cards are activities youth can enjoy at the centre in December. Increased membership from members. Generous donation from Border City Rotary helped purchase new furniture for the centre. The youth are extactic with it! Spending time at the SPCA is always an enjoyable time for all the youth. Looking for a way to volunteer with youth? Contact us today! Come with us to a Whole New World Make a memory, change a life, make a difference. Our 3rd annual Children's ball is set for May 12, All proceeds from this event will benefit our new shelter build project. Follow us on Facebook for more details: Dreaming Out Loud Children's Ball

5 THANK YOU! YOUR KINDNESS IS APPRECIATED RUDOLPH'S ROUND UP 20 YEAR TRADITION OF GIVING Rudolph s Roundup has had a huge impact on women and children in our community. It is also a special time for those who get to be a part of their Christmas. For me, working at the shelter on Christmas morning was one of the most genuinely touching things I have ever experienced. For the kids getting up in the morning to find that there were presents for them; when they did not expect to get anything, it truly was a magical moment. One little girl got a horse that walked when you pressed a button and when she opened it and saw what was inside she was so excited it almost brought me to tears. Thank-you for all that you do, you really are making a difference. students from LCHS gathering This December marks 20 years of donations of toys, personal care items, and other gifts to be shared with the families and individuals supported by Lloydminster Interval Home this year. Staff Member, Lloydminster Interval Home DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE The generosity of our community during the holiday season and all year through can not go unmentioned. There are so many ways our organization receives support. Through food donations, personal care items, and gifts for all ages and genders. We wish to thank our donors, community supporters, and all of those who desired to share their generosity with the Lloydminster Interval Home. THOSE WHO RECEIVED HAVE SAID: These are probably the only presents my kids will get this year! Between these presents and our hamper from the food bank this will be the best Christmas we get in years! I wasn t expecting a present for myself!!! I didn t think I would get a present this year! I didn t know how I would be able to get my kids anything this year!

6 D E C E M B E R Why we do what we do. More than a place to stay Second Stage Program Our community may wonder what it s like to work for this agency. We would like to share one of the many reasons we work so hard for the ladies and families that come through our doors. For a single lady with medical issues who receives $733 a month to pay rent, buy groceries, a phone bill, and any other incidentals that may come up, there is nothing left for the unexpected. Managing this fixed income requires a strict budget, often going without or reaching out to the Salvation Army. She then receives a call that her father, who she hasn t seen in 20 years, has passed away in a province far from her. The reality of having no way to afford to travel there to be with her mother and family brought her terrible grief. With compassion and understanding of this great loss and the financial barriers this woman faced we knew we had to find a way to help support her. So indirectly our supporters made it possible for LIH to buy a return bus ticket for this woman. When we shared the news of what we had come up with, her appreciation was evident by the look of astonishment on her face and the tears on her cheeks. We are grateful for the ability to make a difference in the lives of the women, children and youth that come to us and other agencies for support.