Beginnings Family Services… is a non-profit, faith-based agency providing pregnancy counselling, parenting support and adoption services, as well as embryo donation services. Beginnings will be celebrating 35 years of service this year. Our mission states: In the conviction that life is a gift from God, Beginnings provides services related to pregnancy, parenting and adoption. Beginnings’ approach is child-centred, dedicated to building and supporting healthy family relationships. Beginnings offers quality, non-judgmental services to everyone, does not participate in political action, and is committed to the concept of openness. www.beginnings.ca
Canadian Blood Services … Our role is to provide Canadian patients with lifesaving products and services in transfusion and transplantation and to safeguard Canada's systems of life essentials in blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues. Donating blood - about an hour of your time could change someone’s life. Blood and blood products are a critical part of everyday medical care. The need is constant. It’s something you can do today to ensure someone else is waking up healthy tomorrow. Donating stem cells - Over 80 diseases and disorders can be treated with a stem cell transplant. There are hundreds of patients in Canada waiting to be matched. Fewer than 25% find a compatible donor in their own family. The rest rely on the generosity of unrelated donors who have committed to being part of Canada’s Lifeline. We recruit healthy, volunteers, ages 17-35 who are willing to be a match for any patient in need. 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283); www.blood.ca
Christian Horizons… believes that God creates all people in His image and all people are intrinsically valued by God. Because of this belief, we are committed to building communities of belonging in which every person is equally valued and respected and has the opportunity to contribute gifts to strengthening the community. In fact, Christian Horizons believes that a community is not whole unless every person has a place to fully belong. Our services in the Niagara area include Host Family or Lifeshare Services, Supported Independent Living, residential supports, as well as other community services. www.christian-horizons.org
Elisha House… is a faith-based ministry that provides biblical counselling for individuals, couples and families facing a variety of struggles and concerns. In addition, we offer biblical healing groups on a number of specific issues. Elisha House is also a support centre for women and their partners who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. We offer them education regarding their 3 options of parenting, adoption, and abortion, as well as ongoing support throughout their pregnancy, during labour and delivery through our doula services, and afterward. Our vision is to see Welland and surrounding area value life and to find hope and healing through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. www.elishahouse.on.ca
The FORT … (Foundation of Resources for Teens) has been around for almost 20 years with the goal of empowering youth to make positive and successful life choices by providing free programs and services. Our locations in Grimsby and Smithville see over 10,000 youth visitors every year. Daily programs include sports, games, workshops discussing relevant topics like peer pressure, body image and mental health, job search assistance, volunteer opportunities, cooking classes, music lessons, homework help, peer-to-peer tutoring and more. Additionally, the FORT offers supplemental support in the form of emergency services, resources, and quick, free access to mental health support and professional counselling. All of our services are free of charge and work pro-actively and reactively in order to build a foundation of support for all youth in our community. www.thefortyouthcentre.com
Gillian’s Place … Since 1977, as one of the first shelters of its kind in Ontario, Gillian’s Place has been providing safe refuge to women and their children fleeing the cycle of violence and abuse. From an 8-bed emergency shelter to our current 34-bed funded shelter and 28,000 square foot facility, Gillian’s Place has over 40 years of experience and expertise in Violence Against Women service in Niagara. Beyond our shelter, Gillian’s Place provides a wide-spectrum of vital support services to both our residents, as well as women and children within the community. These services include a 24/7 crisis support line, expert counselling, child and youth programs, legal advocacy and support, education and violence prevention programs, and a transitional housing program. www.gilliansplace.com
Grimsby Benevolent Fund… GBF Community Services is committed to serving Grimsby by delivering assistance to individuals and families with excellence, dignity and care. It is so much more than a food bank! The retail store supports more than 20 programs and services provided to its clients including housing support, emergency assistance, help with medical and dental costs, and utility support just to name a few. GBF Community Services is committed to our youth by supporting breakfast programs at both of the local high schools and providing a backpack program to start each school year off right. The organization is continuing to make headway with its housing program, which is a homelessness prevention initiative. Support for mental health remains paramount and GBF Community Services will continue to make investments to aid Grimsby’s local care providers. www.gbfgrimsby.com
Grimsby Life Centre… is a vibrant, visible, Christian organization caring for families and individuals by offering help & hope to those within the community who are struggling through a difficult time. They are committed to providing practical and compassionate care, guidance, counselling for the needs of the individuals they serve. www.grimsbylife.org
Indwell… Since 1974, Indwell, has been creating affordable housing communities for people seeking health, wellness and belonging. As a Christian charity, Indwell is grateful for the support of Mountainview, and many other churches and individuals, in creating our existing homes for 570 people, and looks forward to continuing to grow to serve those seeking hope and homes. www.indwell.ca
McNally House… is a 6-bed residential Hospice serving West Niagara. Since we opened in 2008, we have had the honour of walking alongside 1000 community members as they have taken their final journey. It is a privilege to care for those at the hospice, but the support programs and services are not limited to the residents. For every resident at the hospice, there are five family members that are in need of support. That is why we has made great strides in providing innovative community psycho-spiritual and bereavement programs such as peer-to-peer counselling for caregivers, group and one-on-one bereavement supports, meditation, or walking groups, McNally House reaches out to support those who are facing a life-limiting illness, their caregivers, family and friends. www.mcnallyhousehospice.com
Rose City Kids… is a place where children and youth belong; where they experience the love of Jesus and are encouraged and inspired to make a positive change in their world. Through our diverse programs, we see hope restored, lives changed, relationships built, physical needs met, and overall, we see the love of Jesus in action. www.rosecitykids.com
Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers Community Hospice… has been providing visiting volunteer support services to the residents of West Niagara for 35 years. Rose Cottage provides services to individuals with life limiting or palliative care needs, while living in their own home, care facility or in hospital. Rose Cottage provides visiting and caregiver support services and offers a host of programs in the community such as monthly Drop-in programs, bereavement grief and loss meetings and support services, and a very unique "Legacy Program" where a volunteer will assist a client in capturing their personal life story for generations to enjoy. www.rosecottagevolunteers.com
Upper Deck Youth Centre… The Upper Deck staff and volunteers are committed to helping youth develop wholistically by offering programs and developing relationships that nurture the whole person – physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. We are dedicated to seeing young people have the opportunity to make an informed decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ and become a part of a local church. www.yfclincoln.com
West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation… operates as a non-profit, charitable organization that raises essential funding for medical equipment, education and facility improvements for our local hospital. Our objective is to enhance the excellent health care available at WLMH by partnering with our donors to raise the funds for its capital needs. WLMH, a teaching site for McMaster University, has been caring for West Niagara residents for over 70 years, providing inpatient and outpatient services. For patients who need more specialized care, WLMH serves as a point of access to one of the largest health systems in Canada. WLMH is in the planning process with the Ontario government to build a new full service hospital. We look forward to the future with a new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital providing exceptional healthcare close to home. www.wlmhfoundation.ca