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On May 8th,we threw a birthday party to celebrate 25 years of safe children in healthy families. Sponsorship from Alberta Lottery Fund, Cenovus Energy, Nexen and Telus, made it possible to celebrate with our donors and supporters. We were so lucky to have Jim Peplinski, a founding Board Member and current Honorary Patron be our Master of Ceremonies. He told the large crowd at the Petroleum Club that "it's been a combination of the people and the environment that have made [the Cottage] a success." Mayor Nenshi spoke passionately about the Crisis Nursery and the need to support families in Calgary. The President of the Society, Stewart Gossen thanked funders and board members past and present for their direction setting wisdom over the years. Patty Kilgallon, Executive Director shared how in the early days of the Cottage children arrived with terrible bruising, cigarette burns, bite marks from parents, and diaper rashes so deep that it would make you cry. These She said that these days, the Cottage rarely sees such abuse, as families realize that reaching out during times of stress is a sign of strength. Children may be hungry, dirty, and stressed, but due to progress in valuing preventative programs, a larger safety net is able to help children before horrific damage is done.
The party was made extra special when parents who have used the Crisis Nursery shared their stories. They wanted us to be able to let others know from first hand experiences why the Crisis Nursery is needed. Here are their stories.
Alexis told us of how her family was devastated after her five year old was diagnosed with a brain infection. She told us how, to help him to stay in school, she stopped work and became on-call to his school to pick him up whenever he had episodes. After diligently working with organizations to help her son for months, Alexis started to show signs of the stress and was referred to Children's Cottage. She told us how the atmosphere at the Cottage is a healthy one set up for success. She described the sense of relief she felt knowing there were trained staff to care for her son.
Tammy shared that she would never forget the first time she called the Cottage. She told the audience, "I was so scared. First of all I felt guilty that I had to ask for help, second I was scared of what the staff would think and what would happen as a result. Would they think I was a bad mom, would they call child welfare on me, would I risk losing my child because I was having a hard time. Once I got on the phone with them they quickly put all my worries and fears to rest explaining that this is exactly what they are here for. I have 3 children and have been a single mom for the better part of 18 years. I don't have a lot of family or friend support, so the Cottage has become my support. They have always been there for me when I needed them. My youngest daughter has sleep apnea and after weeks of little sleep, running on adrenaline alone, the Cottage took her for me and I was able to get some well needed rest. There was a time when I had considered giving my youngest daughter up for adoption because the thought of raising yet one more child on my own was too much to bear. Because of the Cottage and the support that I have received from them I have been able to keep her and make it through. She is now almost 4 and I could not imagine a day without her."
(Sponsors Kerrin Lee-Gartner, Telus; Marcelle Leveille, Nexen;
and Vicki Reid, Cenovus; cutting the 25th Birthday Cake.)
Children helping children was a theme that Kaden Stannard brought to life. He donated funds he raised during his birthday party. Children from St. Sylvestor's School sang Happy Birthday in both English and in French which was a big hit. A birthday cake replica of the Children's Cottage Crisis Nursery, complete with 25 candles was a site to behold.
We were all reminded that the Children's Cottage has been working quietly at creating a safe place for children during periods of crisis, because visionaries in our community recognized that child abuse could be reduced if families in crisis had greater support. Thanks to incredible supporters, our Crisis Nursery has grown from a six-bedroom house in southwest Calgary to two dedicated locations with round-the-clock care for up to 18 children. We learned that the Society has diversified, creating more impact on families in Calgary. Our Community Respite Program, Healthy Families Program and Brenda's House family homeless shelter show our continued commitment to preserving and promoting family life and preventing harm to children. The Society looks forward to working along with you to ensure children are safe and in healthy families. |
