100+ Women Who Care Sault Ste. Marie
Thinking Locally, Acting Locally
Phoenix Rising
February 20, 2024
$12,420
Phoenix Rising was founded in 1986 and has been creating a community of women helping women for the last 39 years.
Phoenix Rising has three main programs: a Women’s Centre, a supportive housing building for women and children, and transitional housing units located and facilitated in partnership with Pauline’s Place.
They currently have 40 residents and have 4 vacant units that we are getting ready to rent. They hold programming several times a week allowing them to engage with a community of women and feel supported.
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Their Centre runs multiple programs per week servicing anywhere between 10 to 30 women per day, 4 days a week, providing a safe space and access to food, clothes, referrals to community partners, or just a friendly environment.
Their Transitional Housing Coordinator provides intensive case management to 8 women living in the bridge units located at Pauline's Place.
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Their priority is to create a community of women helping women, providing judgement-free services to women, assisting them to move forward on their journey to achieve their goals.
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In the last year PR attempted to increase programming at all locations.
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However, PR has a very limited budget. With inflation, meeting some of these needs has become more and more challenging. Food prices also keep increasing, making it difficult to feed the ladies regularly while also providing meaningful activities or programming.
Numbers have also more than doubled in each location in the past year, creating even more of a strain on finances.
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Breaking Away
November 20, 2024
$17,225
Breaking Away was established by parents of adults with developmental disabilities.
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Formal supports through the school system end at 21.
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The group operates out of the Mount Learning Centre, Monday to Friday, noon to 5, with 10 students and four staff. There are four students on the waiting list.
The focus of the program is life skills. Most of these vulnerable young adults need constant supervision, yet with carefully crafted learning plans, each adult has the chance to be as independent as possible.
Daily activities include grocery shopping, yoga, using the smart board, cooking, baking, field trips (library, Bushplane Museum, hiking, snowshoeing, bowling, swimming, visiting Bon Soo, our parks and beaches, etc).
The annual budget is $100K, which parents and board members raise, sometimes $1K at a time, throughout each year.
The group could grow and accept more students, if they had more space, more staff and more money.
Meanwhile, they are trying to keep the doors open and the lights on.
Grocer4Good
May 2024
$13,400
We were very excited to support this beautiful organization and the wonderful people who run it and benefit from it.
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Grocer 4 Good (G4G) held their grand opening on Gore Street one week before COVID-19 changed our world!
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G4G offers low-barrier, empathetic employment and skill development opportunities for young adults on the Autism spectrum, with other intellectual disabilities or those who have been chronically underemployed.
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G4G also helps to relieve poverty by providing grocery basics below fair market value.
CMHA Hope House - Club 84
February 21, 2024
$12,600
The wonderful Hope House/Club 84 is part of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Algoma.
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The Clubhouse model operates in 30 countries around the world, and we are lucky enough to have one in The Soo!
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This hidden gem quietly helps those with mental health challenges, working within a model where every client is a member. There are currently 311 members.
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To note, this year Hope House/Club 84 is celebrating their 40th anniversary!
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SSM Down Syndrome Society
October 4, 2023
$13,317
The DSS was created by parents in 1990, and is 100% volunteer. There is a long wait for government services for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families is a huge barrier. To help, the DSS volunteers provide social opportunities for individuals and their families, including bowling, swimming parties, gym club activities and Christmas parties. They will also meet with new parents to guide and support them, and provide community education.
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SSM Humane Society
May 3, 2023
$13,330
Provides a safe & healthy haven for all animals. Their goal is to ensure the humane treatment (vet care/spay/neuter/pet food bank/fostering/emergency shelter) of the 2,000 animals in our care each year and eliminate the need for euthanasia as a method of pet control.
Brain Injury Association of SSM and District
Brain Injury Association of SSM and District
February 8, 2023
$13,214
Since 1988, the Brain Injury Association has been helping survivors and their families deal with the effects of acquired brain injury (ABI).
Founded by a survivor, the Association has one staff member and many volunteers who provide free services and resources to survivors of ABI, their families and friends.
Alzheimer Society of SSM and Algoma District
Alzheimer Society of SSM and Algoma District
October 5, 2022
$11,500
The staff at our local Alzheimer Society is dedicated to helping those who are living with dementia to be able to live well with dementia. 100+ Women Who Care SSM supported the Alzheimer society and their Minds in Motion programme. Minds in Motion is a popular and unique programme aimed at serving those with dementia and their caregivers.
St. Vincent Place
St. Vincent Place
June 8, 2022
$9,310​
St. Vincent Place serves the homeless & poor (men, women, teens & children & aboriginal families) by providing them with shelter, clothing, food, household essentials & compassionate attention. The Food Bank & Soup Kitchen serve over 4,000 clients and provide up to 160 hot meals twice a week.
The emergency shelter is the first point of entry for all males 18 years + who are homeless in our community.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
December 2021 – February 2022
$9,925
The Salvation Army provides emotional, spiritual, physical support to anyone who walks through its doors. The Salvation Army food bank provides food to many individuals and families in need living in Sault Ste. Marie every month.
St. Paul's Food Bag Programme
St. Paul's Food Bag Programme
March – May, 2021
$9,620​
Through this amazing program, St. Paul's has been quietly offering assistance to their neighbours since 2015. Funding has largely come from the congregation, with support from some other faithful donors.
Since its inception, the program has provided over 8,500 bags of food to families and individuals. The program runs on alternate Tuesdays. Each bag includes about $10 in groceries, so every donation from you will have an impact..
Thanks to your generosity, St. Paul's has been able to add protein items to their biweekly food bags.
SSM Helping Hands
SSM Helping Hands
October – November 2020
$9,775
​SSM Helping Hands is a non-profit organization committed to collecting, organizing & distributing donated household items, clothing and other gently used items to those in need in the community.
SSM Helping Hand's mission is to assist in poverty reduction by providing basic household items to persons of low income by establishing, operating and maintaining a depot of donated goods. At the depot they provide basic necessities such as clothing, toiletries, bedding and other such items to low income community members and to those who have been displaced from their homes.
Algoma Autism Foundation
Algoma Autism Foundation
February 4, 2020
$13,205
The Algoma Autism Foundation (AAF) is an incorporated not-for-profit (registration #869475-3), launched in 2013 to address the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
The Foundation is 100% volunteer and 100% local. All monies raised stay in the community.
THRIVE Foundation Family Assistance Fund
THRIVE Foundation Family Assistance Fund
November 26, 2019
$1​1,760
The mission of THRIVE is to empower children and their families to reach beyond what ​is expected toward the extraordinary.
THRIVE Child Development Centre helps children and youth with diverse abilities achieve their highest potential through programs, services and clinics such as: Professional Therapy, Respite Care, Preschool Inclusive and Early Learning Resources, Seating and Mobility Clinic, Assistive Communications Clinic, Transition Clinic, Feeding and Swallowing Clinic, and much more.
The Twinkie Foundation
The Twinkie Foundation
September 10, 2019
$14,752
The Twinkie Foundation helps local families who have to travel with their sick or critically ill children to medical facilities outside of SSM.
In their words... "We help with financial assistance for meals, lodging, accommodations and other incidentals including taxis and parking. We can't take away a child's illness; however, we can help alleviate some of the financial stress incurred by families who have to travel to other cities for medical appointments and treatments. "
Twinkie was founded by Greg and Karen Lefave -- here is a video with more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGYPlUPDMkQ
The Adult Day Program
The Adult Day Program
May 14, 2019
$11,430
The Adult Day Program has been providing services for 30 years! The program offers supervised activities in a home-like setting for individuals with memory impairment.
The goal of the program is to maintain the individual needs of the client while enhancing and reinforcing basic living skills, all while giving caregivers a much-needed break.
All activities are geared to the clients’ abilities and are adapted to compensate for those memory or physical issues the client might have.
Christmas Cheer Sault Ste. Marie
Christmas Cheer Sault Ste. Marie
February 19, 2019
$14,000
The Christmas Cheer program provides a Christmas dinner and gifts for our neighbours in need.
In 2018 1,675 families were served and the incredible volunteers donated over 31,000 hours to give the gift of Christmas Cheer in Sault Ste. Marie.
Special Olympics Sault Ste. Marie
Special Olympics Sault Ste. Marie
October 16, 2018
$14,065
Sault Ste. Marie has over 100 Special Olympic athletes, aged 11 to 65+ years, and about 40 volunteers, including coaches. Our local athletes participate in bowling, curling, snowshoeing, cross country (nordic) skiing, track and field, swimming, baseball, and floor hockey. The Special Olympics SSM volunteers raise funds to cover transportation, uniforms, equipment, overnight trip accommodations, etc. and hosts an Annual Awards Banquet for our athletes.
Spinal Cord Injury Sault Ste. Marie
Spinal Cord Injury Sault Ste. Marie
June 19, 2018
$14,906.75
Spinal Cord Injury's essential goals have been intact since 1945, when our founders, having sustained spinal cord injury, returned to Ontario from the Second World War and rejected institutionalization as their lot in life. That spirit of moving boldly forward, of living the life you choose in spite of overwhelming challenges, characterizes our charity today, thanks to our active, caring community.
VISION: People with spinal cord injury living the life they choose in a fully inclusive Ontario.
MISSION: We deliver and champion excellence in service, support and advocacy for people with spinal cord injury.
Sault Search and Rescue
Sault Search and Rescue
April 17, 2018
$15,230
The heart and soul of Sault Search and Rescue is the dedicated volunteer workforce consisting of skilled searchers, pilots, divers, search coordinators and others, including mechanics, cooks, instructors, communication specialists and essential support personnel who contribute their skills at no cost.
Through Project Lifesaver search and rescue agencies are trained to help locate clients who wander due to Alzheimer's, autism or other conditions before they fall victim to the elements, accidents or predators.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels
January 16, 2018
$17,185
Meals on Wheels has been making a difference in the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie for over 44 years. They are the lifeline that 115 adults in the community rely upon every day. Meals on Wheels volunteers are the backbone of the program. Our clients have included seniors over the age of 100, to a young mother of three convalescing.
No Limits Adaptive Ski Association / SkiAbility Algoma
No Limits Adaptive Ski Association / SkiAbility Algoma
October 24, 2017
$17,700
These fantastic groups are dedicated to ensuring persons with disabilities have an opportunity to try downhill skiing (No Limits) and water skiing (SkiAbility Algoma).
The two groups operate autonomously, but are "sister organizations," with shared values and many of the same volunteers.
No Limits operates out of Searchmont Resort, with 21 volunteers and certified instructors. Their annual budget is $13,000.
No Limits is a registered charity (845831841 RR0001).
SkiAbility Algoma runs from Bell's Point, with 24 volunteers and trained instructors. Their annual budget is $7,000.
Each group has 10 seasons under their belt.
Both provide wheelchair-accessible transportation and on-site attendant service at no additional cost to participants.
This approach is unique in Canada - no other programme in the country provides transportation and on-site attendance services!
Both are funded by sponsors, donations, fundraising and user fees. Both strive to keep user fees as low as possible, to reduce barriers to participation.
Funds raised through 100 Women SSM will make a tremendous difference to the maintenance and expansion of each programme.
Women in Crisis (Algoma)
Women in Crisis (Algoma)
July 25, 2017
$15,400
Women In Crisis (Algoma) is a safe and supportive shelter for women and children who have experienced abuse. Emergency shelter is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Pauline's Place
Pauline's Place
April 25, 2017
$17,575
Pauline’s Place, a 19-bed shelter, provides emergency shelter and basic necessities to youth (male ages 16-17, female ages 16-21), women, and families in Sault Ste. Marie.
Pauline's Place also assists their clients in acquiring safe and affordable housing and connecting them to other needed services.
Breaking Away
Breaking Away
Jan. 24, 2017
$15,505
Breaking Away was established by parents in Sault Ste. Marie in 2004 to help their adult children with developmental disabilities.
Once an individual with developmental disabilities turns 21, there is little to no government support for that individual. Parents often struggle to protect their child's independence and quality of life.
Breaking Away was created by parents to help their children break away from limitations imposed by a lack of opportunity and by others' perceptions of their abilities.
The Soup Kitchen
The Soup Kitchen
October 4, 2016
$14,200
Together we raised $14,200 for the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre through individual and team donations.
The Soup Kitchen is a registered charity focused on meeting the needs of those who live in poverty. The Soup Kitchen provides a safe place to eat, socialize, get information and attend programs; provides a nurturing Children’s Program offering education, recreation and social activities; and advocates on social justice issues.
The Soup Kitchen serves between 1,600 and 2,100 meals per month, serving 70 – 100 individuals daily. The Soup Kitchen served 2,236 meals in April 2016, up 60% from 1,411 in October 2015.
The Soup Kitchen also provides food for church meal programs and about 20 service agencies which then distribute this food to their clients.
Algoma Autism Foundation
Algoma Autism Foundation
May 27, 2016
$11,600
At our inaugural meeting, 100+ Women Who Care Sault Ste. Marie raised $11,600 for the Algoma Autism Foundation.
The Algoma Autism Foundation (AAF) is an incorporated not-for-profit (registration #869475-3), launched in 2013 to address the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
The Foundation is 100% volunteer and 100% local. All monies raised stay in the community.
The AAF has used donations from 100+ Women Who Care SSM to purchase RF beacon bracelets for children who wander/are a flight risk.
The AAF organizes Sensitive Santa in partnership with the Station Mall, and Trunk or Treat in partnership with multiple community partners, so children with ASD and their parents can participate in simple but important childhood milestones which might otherwise be impossible to manage.
Since 2013, the AAF has donated $16,000 in equipment to local schools, including special needs trampolines and swings, and iPAD minis for local students who are non-verbal. The AAF also organizes and supports recreational activities such as a gymnastics programme.
In February 2016, the AAF donated $5,000 towards construction of the Bellevue Park Interactive Outdoor Sensory Play Area, which opened in July 2016.
