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Shine Bright
1. H A N N A H
H O U S E
SHINE BRIGHT
1st Edition Winter 2014
HER TIME TO SHINE Christine’s Story
How Relationships Support Healthy
Development: By Chaya Kulkarni, Ed. D
12 DAYS
OF
GIVE
AWAYS
4. 4
SHINEBRIGHT
S.R.O.I Hannah House 7
Social Return On Investment
Opportunity 11
Her Time To Shine
Development 19
How Relationships Help
Form Healthy Development
Life & Community 23
Life Coaching At Hannah House
12 Days of Giveaways 30
HANNAH HOUSE
Photo by: Moyan Brenn
11
Her Time to Shine
Contents
Front Cover by : Jens Rost
5. 5
Reaching
For The
Stars
Winter 2014
Ilove Christmas. The season is full of frosty
days, crunchy snow, twinkling lights and best
of all plenty of family gatherings. Love is the
heart of Christmas. This year marks my 8th
year at Hannah House and another season of
blessings.
Christmas at Hannah House is a special sea-son.
From mid November till the New Year we include
all of the young moms and babies in celebrating the
birth of The King. The young ladies at Hannah House
have not always shared my enthusiasm for the season.
Most of them have never experienced a sense of extend-ed
family or love and inclusion. Yet their heart longs for
exactly those things - a place to belong.
This Hannah House magazine, Shine Bright, has been
compiled with you in mind. We want to share with you
the stories of young women who shine as they over-come
obstacles, succeed with life skills, continue their
education, achieve personal growth and become suc-cessful
mothers. These pages will lead you to a better
understanding of the mission and importance of
Hannah House.
I trust that you will be inspired to share your
Christmas with us in love, prayer and by giving
generously again this year. Your gifts have an im-pact!
They reflect the love and support of the Ni-agara
Region and convey the compassion of our
community.
Your opportunity to invest in Hannah House is
highlighted on the last pages of this magazine. To
give a gift securely visit: www.hannahhouse.ca or
use the enclosed gift card and drop it in the mail
today.
Merry Christmas
Thank you, from the Hannah House Team
Cheryl Plett
Executive Director of Hannah House
7. HANNAH HOUSE
7
S O C I A L
Since 2002, Hannah House has supported: 118
young pregnant and parenting women.
As it’s core mission, Hannah House
Maternity Home strives to empow-er
pregnant and parenting women
to make positive life choices for
themselves; changing their chil-dren’s
future.
The range of services offered within the socially inclu-sive
and supportive environment of Hannah House rep-resent
a comprehensive approach that addresses educa-tion,
spiritual direction, shelter, food, security, physical
health, life skills, child care, family issues and healthy
attachment for mother and child.
While living at Hannah House young women are pro-vided
with access to health care professionals, 24 hour
supervision, supports and regular opportunities to
develop life skills such as learning about their health,
budgeting as well as learning to take care of themselves
and their children. Our mission is to provide high risk
young, pregnant and parenting women with safety, se-curity,
shelter and support; changing the lives of TWO
generations- mother and child.
Since the inception of Hannah House in 2002 your fi-nancial
support has ensured that 118 young pregnant
and parenting women have transitioned safely into our
home. Specifically in the last 3 years 43 young women
and children were provided a safe place to live free of
violence.
The social exclusion and stigmatization that these
young women might otherwise have experienced due
to their early pregnancy was reduced and they were
able to find support, strength and role modeling both
from their peers and their personal life coaches at the
8. HANNAH HOUSE
8
43
31
Total number of young women and children in supportive transitional
housing at Hannah House. Nine (9) young woman and children current-ly
reside at Hannah House and will transition to secure housing in 2014.
Total number of young women and children in secure housing af-ter
Hannah House. Three (3) young women where-a-bouts unknown.
10 07 02
Total number continuing or completed education. Continuing
Completed
high school
high school
education.
education.
Enrolled in
post secondary
education or
employed.
R E T U R N
O N
residence. The life coaching relationships that develop
between staff and residents have proven to strengthen
the already positive outcomes for young moms. These
bonds have been tested and have become life long re-lationships.
For the children the social value is experienced pri-marily
in the future. They benefit from the changes ex-perienced
by their mothers and have the opportunity
to grow in safer environments with more support and
form stronger bonds to their mothers. The children are
born healthy which affects Lifetime development.
Also during this time period 10 young women chose
to continue their high school education, 7 completed
their high school education and 2 have enrolled in post
secondary education.
It’s said that the experience of pregnancy in teenage
years and young motherhood can create isolation and
lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Hannah House
provides stability and community to help prevent this
from happening.
At the core, ensuring healthy pregnancies followed by
the birth of healthy babies create social value. Within
the total value social value is created at Hannah House
specific to the young women in the program, their
children, and the community and systems in which
they live.
The revenue of Hannah House is represented in this
pie chart that reflects funding we received in 2013. Just
over 1/2 of our funding during this time period came
through grants, provincial, municipal and foundation
9. HANNAH HOUSE
9
I N V E S T M E N T
funding. All front line staff (life coaches) and wages
were covered by this combined funding. Your gener-ous
personal donations are reflected in the remaining
sections of the pie. Together these have resulted in di-rect
client care and programing.
For the young women involved in supported transi-tional
housing at Hannah House the social value is
created immediately during their stay as well as into
the future as they transition safely into the commu-nity
and secure housing. Their personal life coach
goes with them into the community and continues to
empower and provide support as they establish them-selves
in their new homes.
As the young women transition into the community
they move forward into adulthood with new healthy
habits, increased resiliency, and skills to address
the many challenges that life presents. They experi-ence
the value of Hannah House well into the future
through stronger bonds with their children, healthier
babies, a better understanding of healthy relationships
and an increased ability to navigate society’s complex
systems. They have a better ability to maintain safe
housing, access appropriate services and pursue edu-cational
and employment goals for themselves.
Safety, security,
shelter, and sup-port;
changing the
lives of TWO gen-erations
- mother
and child.
By: Cheryl Plett, Executive Director of Hannah House
2013 Hannah House Maternity Home Revenue
11. HANNAH HOUSE
11
It’s Her Time To
As told to: Cheryl Plett, Executive Director of Hannah House
In May 2007 I found out that I was 8 weeks
pregnant. I was 18. My family life was in cri-sis.
I was afraid to tell them this news and felt
very alone. I shared my news with a friend
who told me about Hannah House. I called
and talked with Betsy, the Resident Services
Manger there. She told me a bit about the
home and we made an appointment to proceed with
the intake application. As I waited for the day of the
intake I was confused and couldn’t decide if I should
get an apartment or go to Hannah House. I decided
to go to the intake and to my surprise it felt more like
a home than an institution. At the end of my appoint-
The first young woman I met when I began working
at Hannah House 7 years ago was Christine. Over the
years those close to Christine have watched her and her
daughter Natalie thrive.
In September I asked Christine if she would be willing
to share her story. As she talked we celebrated her jour-ney
together. As you read Christine’s story we hope you
gain an understanding of why Hannah House is so vi-tal
to young women in our community.
Photo by: Moeko
Shine
12. HANNAH HOUSE
ment we set a date for me to move into Hannah House
but due to trouble at home, I had to cancel. A week later
June 18, 2007 a concerned Betsy and a friend came to
Brampton to check on me. In 15 minutes they had all
my things packed into a small u-haul and we were on
our way to Hannah House. I will never forget arriving
at Hannah House. I was shaking and terrified. I did
not know anyone there except Betsy and everyone else
seemed unfriendly to me. That night I was so afraid, I
just wanted to hide out in my room. To make me feel
more at home, Betsy snuck a contraband bottle of pepsi
up to my room telling me that it was “top secret”. Grad-ually
I settled in and made new friends. Hannah House offers the oppor-tunity
12
to work on high school
credits with a volunteer tutor.
I was very motivated as I had
only 8 credits when I moved in.
I was determined to take advan-tage
of being able to focus on my
education. I started working the first week and con-tinued
all through summer. When I left I had com-pleted
7 credits. In 2010 I graduated with honors, a
cash award, and the title of most responsible student.
I struggled with living in community so together,
Betsy and I, decided that I should apply for Niagara
Region’s Priority Housing and in September I moved
out on my own. I was five and a half months preg-nant.
I continued going to Hannah House 2 days a
week to work with my tutor and I could tell the team
at Hannah House was concerned about me. I loved
the freedom of living on my own but it was also iso-lating
and lonely. Thankfully, Betsy kept an eye
on me and kept the lines of communication open.
As my due date approached the friend who was to
be my labor coach bailed. The only person I could
trust was Betsy. I asked her to be my labor coach
and she agreed and also recommended a volun-teer
Doula, Bonnie. Thank goodness for these two!
I was induced on January 19th, an agonizing 17 days
overdue. Betsy and Bonnie were with me from be-ginning
to end. After 12 hours of labor Natalie was
born weighing in at 10.6 lbs. She was beautiful! All
did not go smoothly for us however. She had breath-ing
problems and was transferred to the NICU
for 5 days before being released from the hospital.
Going home I was confident that I could cope but I was
about to have the challenge of my life. My sweet girl
had lungs that would rival a siren! Tired and stressed
I began to crumble. I had Betsy on speed dial. She and
Bonnie came over at different times to help me and
after several days Betsy arranged for me to spend an
overnight with a friend for respite. A temporary fix.
The next day I was in hospital with a uterine, kidney
and bladder infection. I needed help and Betsy knew it.
“We were on our way
to becoming our own
little family. I so appre-ciated
the personal
and parenting sup-port
at Hannah House
and settling into the
routine and structure
provided me with an
opportunity to grow.”
13. HANNAH HOUSE
13
I came home from the hospital to more devastating news.
My grandma had passed away. She was so special to me
and I had loved and identified with her. I am like her; a
survivor, resilient and determined. She had practically
raised me. What would I do without her? Another key sup-port
gone, it was a very dark time in my life. On February
6, 2008 I moved back to Hannah House. Thank goodness
they had room for me. Natalie was a challenging baby until
she turned 3 months and then she was like a different girl.
A happy and healthy baby, we were on our way to becom-ing
our own little family. I so appreciated the personal and
parenting support at Hannah House and settling into the
routine and structure provided me with an opportunity to
Tgrow. By Sept. 30, 2008 Natalie and I were ready to move
to our new home at Bethlehem Housing in St. Catharines. he Hannah House team is amazing.
It is said that it takes a village to raise
a child; I know this is true! Betsy be-gan
to develop a network for us with
Hannah House, friends, church and
community groups. Within this net-work
I have many people I can call
friends and to this day they are a part of our success.
Being a single parent is rewarding but tough, stress-ful
and financially difficult. There are late nights be-tween
baby and schoolwork; doing it all by your-self
is so hard. Growing up I never had to run my
choices by anyone but I did have to live with those choices.
Natalie is a bright little girl and I wanted her to go to full
French school. Getting her in was no easy task but after
jumping over many hurdles she was enrolled and I am
so glad I made this choice. This year she is in grade one.
Another choice I made was to continue my educa-tion
and against all odds I enrolled in Law and Se-curity
Administration Customs and Immigration at
Niagara College. In 2013 I graduated in spite of a diag-nosed
learning disability, Visual-Spatial. I don’t have
a job in this field yet but I am thankful that I perse-vered.
My education has helped me grow and mature.
Even after 6 years Hannah House, Betsy, Bon-nie
and my network have stayed connected offer-ing
support and encouragement to Natalie and I.
This past summer on August 22, 2014, I married
the love of my life…Neil. Betsy and Bonnie stood
up for us and we were married at Mountain Park
Church. We are now a new family of 3. Neil has
amazing parents and now Natalie has two new dot-ing
Grandparents. It has been a long walk to get here
but together we are beginning a whole new chap-ter
in our life as a new family unit. I am so blessed.
If you would like to offer financial support to help Chris-tine
with her student loan contact can be arranged
through Hannah House.
14. Opportunity
To Grow Hannah House provides programs to help fa-cilitate
HANNAH HOUSE
the transition from adolescence to adult-hood,
equipping young moms and moms-to-be
for their future roles in the community. Rock Sol-id
and Healthy Food, Healthy Budget (HFHB) are
two programs offered at Hannah House.
By: Jennifer Spink HR Admin manager at Hannah House
14 Photo by: Sharon Mollerus
15. Use your immagination HANNAH HOUSE
Rock Solid
Life skills are defined as necessary or desirable skills for
participation in everyday life; giving people the ability
to cope with the stresses and challenges of daily living.
Rock Solid is a 40-week life skills program for the
residents of Hannah House. Each month the young
women are taught one of a series of topics which are
then reinforced by all staff and applied practically to
daily living within the home.
Course content includes:
1) Organization of the household by establishing rou-tines,
15
learning to clean, as well as doing laundry.
2) Setting a budget and filing important documents.
3) Meal organization and following easy recipes.
4) Making personal time as a new mom and develop-ing
social skills.
5) Craft activities to discover personal interests.
6) Parenting and disciplining effectively.
7) Exploring home business and developing job
search skills.
8) Community involvement.
9) Establishing healthy relationships.
10) Learning communication.
Rock Solid provides young women with the building
blocks to make positive decisions and long term choic-es
that impact both themselves and their children.
(HFHB)
How do you eat nutritious balanced meals while living
on a limited budget?
The HFHB (Healthy Food, Healthy Budget) program
strives to teach the young women at Hannah House just
that, for their benefit and the benefit of their children.
HFHB teaches meal planning, cost effective gro-cery
shopping, preparing balanced nutritious
meals from scratch, baby food preparation, grow-ing
a garden, and safe food preparation and storage.
The young women apply these new skills daily as
they select nutritious recipes and take turns cook-ing
for everyone in the home, accompany staff on
grocery outings, and prepare lists of food required
for meals. They receive hands on lessons from Pub-lic
Health to prepare homemade baby food. From
Project Share they learn basic food preparation
skills to cook homemade soups, sauces, and dress-ings.
From Hannah House staff they learn to grow
produce on site that is turned into nutritious meals.
The young women at Hannah House learn to feel
confident in the kitchen and acquire an understand-ing
about the importance of nutrition. This knowl-edge
allows them to prepare nutritious meals that are
cost effective and share new skills with their children
in the hopes they too will learn a healthier lifestyle.
Photo by: Chris Jones
Photo by: olearys
Healthy Food, Healthy Budget
16. HANNAH HOUSE
We are pleased to introduce and wel-come
Rochelle Plett, who on August
2014 took a step of faith and joined
the Hannah House Team.
Taking on the role of Director, Ro-chelle
will be working 20 hours per
week. Her primary role will include working with our clients,
overall home supervision, staff training, and program develop-ment.
Rochelle is a wife and mother of two wonderful little boys. She
and her family reside in Niagara Falls.
When Rochelle was 17 she had an opportunity to volunteer at a
Crisis Pregnancy Center while she attended bible school in Tex-as.
This experience deposited a deep compassion in her heart for
young single women facing the reality of pregnancy.
After returning from Texas she worked in a law firm where she
was trained as a legal secretary. Later, along with a friend and
mentor, she explored her passions, hopes and vision of opening
a maternity home for young women. As a result of this dream
New
To The
Team
she enrolled in university to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work.
During her undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary
she experienced a diversity of settings and clientele including an
Immigrant Settlement Association, the Blood Tribe reserve and
private counselling. These experiences gave her a keen interest in
mental health issues and the impoverization of woman in par-ticular.
Upon graduation she began work with Alberta Child and Family
Services. After 3 years she followed her heart and moved to Ni-agara
to marry Andrew. She is fortunate to have worked in Ham-ilton
with the Children’s Aid Society for the past 10 years.
In her own words: “I have come to understand that family and
community are a necessary part of life and it is difficult to make
it in this world without having one or both. I am excited to em-bark
on this new journey in my role as Director on the Hannah
House Team. I look forward to learning more about the Niagara
Region and young women who find themselves holding a preg-nancy
test in one hand, while holding their heads up with the
other wondering what they will do next.”
You can email Rochelle at: rochelle@hannahhouse.ca
By: Cheryl Plett, Executive Director of Hannah House
17. HANNAH HOUSE
17
Board Report
Message From the Chair
My father taught me at a very early age to “Plan your work and then work your
plan”. This was his recipe for getting as much quality work accomplished in the
shortest amount of time in the most efficient manner possible. As I reflect upon
all that has been accomplished at Hannah House in the last dozen years, and
even more so in the last 4 years, I am impressed with how planning the work
and working the plan has yielded significant tangible results. Dozens of young
women and their babies have been served in practical ways that should serve
them well for the rest of their lives. This has been made possible in no small part
due to thoughtful planning and effective, efficient execution of those plans by
dedicated Volunteers, Employees, Executive Directors and Board Members.
Looking forward there is still much work to do and this work will not happen un-less
we “plan our work, and then work our plan”. The Board, together with se-nior
staff, spend a lot of time planning for the future at Hannah House. Para-mount
to all of our planning is asking the question, “What is the best way to
manage the resources that have been entrusted to us? “ To answer this question
of course requires an immense amount of discussion, thought and prayer. Some-times
it means taking immediate decisive action, other times it means waiting
until a better opportunity presents itself. Imbedded within each decision at the
Board table is the commitment to work out our plan, which is to serve the young
women and their babies who need our assistance at a crucial time in their lives.
I would solicit all who may read this to consider how it is that you or your orga-nization
might be able to help us work out our plan. Perhaps it is with volun-teering,
donating tangibly with money, or giving of your talents at the Board
level. If any of these opportunities interest you please contact our Executive Di-rector.
We would be pleased to discuss how it is that you too can help us work
out our plan in this important and unique ministry in the Niagara Peninsula.
Mark A. Neufeld, Board Chair
19. HANNAH HOUSE
19
Over the past two decades we have
learned a great deal about the elements
that support and promote the healthy
development of young children. We
have learned that what happens dur-ing
the first five years has an impact on
the adult that child becomes. We have
learned that brain development is intense during these first few
years of life and this will also shape and influence a child’s long
term development. Central to all of this science are two concepts:
1. Reliable Relationships are Essential for Healthy Development
2. High Quality Experiences will Have Long Term and Short Term
Outcomes for a Child.
The combination of reliable relationships with responsive and
consistent experiences is a combination in which young children
thrive. Science has also informed us about what factors have pro-foundly
negative impact on a child’s development. These include:
1. Toxic Stress
2. Maltreatment
3. Neglect
How Do Relationships Support Healthy Development?
Young children experience the world through the relationships
that surround them. The existence of one relationship that is re-sponsive
and consistent in a young child’s life is critical. This is
often the relationship between a mother and her baby and it is this
How Relationships
Support Healthy
Development By
Chaya Kulkarni, Ed. D
Photo by: Jerry Lai
relationship that will, from the beginning, influence the architec-ture
of a baby’s brain (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). The experiences
this and other relationships offer a baby can and will influence a
child’s genetic expression.
Every baby needs at least one relationship that is responsive to
their needs on a consistent basis. Urie Brondenbrenner once said
that every child needs to have at least one person who is just “cra-zy”
about them and that this needs to be a part of their childhood
always.
Relationships and the experiences they offer influence cognitive
and social development. Researchers have found a direct correla-tion
between the existence of a secure relationship and a child’s
cognitive and social development. As a baby explores his/her
world healthy relationships will provide experiences that allow for
the development of new abilities and confirmation of those that
exist. A responsive parent or caregiver will nurture the develop-ment
of new emerging abilities.
A responsive parent or caregiver will praise and acknowledge ex-isting
abilities. These relationships, that find at least one caregiver
in a child’s world focused on that child’s needs, will have a strong
influence on development because of the types of experiences that
person offers to the child. The benefit of the relationship and the
experience it brings will influence the child’s immediate develop-ment
but will also influence their social competence and work
skills later in school (National Scientific Council on the Develop-ing
Child, 2004). Relationships with other children teach childr-
20. HANNAH HOUSE
en about how to interact with the world and those in it. While
the relationship between baby and a primary caregiver is
essential, the other relationships in a young child’s life also
influence development. Children learn a great deal through
their experiences with other children. They learn how to
share. Over time they also learn how to deal with their own
impulses. It’s important that the opportunity to be with other
children is provided regularly and that these experiences sup-port
20
friendships that can develop even throughout the infant
and toddler years.
Relationships that are characterized by warmth and nurtur-ing
interactions positively influence development. For many
children these relationships can be provided by a parent or by
others such as the early learning and care professionals who
provide thousands of children with daily care. When these
relationships include warmth and support, researchers have
found that capabilities such as social competences, think-ing
skills and reasoning skills are strengthened. In addition,
when such relationships are not characterized by nurturing
qualities, the likelihood of behavior problems such as ag-gression
are more likely (National Scientific Council on the
Developing Child, 2004). Relationships can positively and
negatively influence brain development. Researchers have
conducted studies on animals and have found that the quality
of the mother-child relationship will influence what is called
“gene expression” in the brain (Fox, 2007).
Relationships can lead to expression or suppression of genes.
For instance, a child who is highly anxious can learn how
to cope with anxiety and overcome such feelings through a
positive nurturing relationship. In contrast, the child who is
persistently fearful and is given care giving that is not respon-sive
to this, will maintain a state of fear that will lead to a
persistent state of fear. This state will lead to the production
of cortisol at levels that will negatively impact brain develop-ment
since high levels of cortisol kills brain cells (Gunnar,
Brodersen, Nachmias, Buss & Rigatus, 1996).
Relationships and Experiences Lead to the Wiring of Emo-tional
Development In the Brain. Leading researchers have
unanimously concluded that, “Emotional development is ac-tually
built into the architecture of young children’s brains
in response to their individual personal experiences and
the influences of the environments in which they live.” (Na-tional
Scientific Council, 2004,p.2). Positive relationships
lead to positive and responsive experiences which in turn
lead to a child’s self image and confidence being supported.
Photo by: Science Sque
21. HANNAH HOUSE
21
Relationships can buffer the po-tential
threats to a child’s de-velopment.
Fox (2009), identi-fied
three significant threats
to a child’s early development
and ultimately the child’s edu-cational
achievement. These
threats include toxic stress, maltreatment and neglect.
1. Toxic stress is experienced when a child is exposed
to prolonged periods of stress in the absence of pro-tective
relationship which will negatively influence
a child’s brain development. The effect of such stress
will not just “disappear” over time. Simply removing
a child from a harmful context will not undo the con-sequences
of stress or trauma a child has experienced.
2. Maltreatment has a direct impact on the develop-ment
of the hippocampus in the brain. The hippo-campus
is the part of the brain that controls problem
solving, logic and reasoning functions. Children who
experience maltreatment for prolonged periods are
more likely to experience depression and antisocial
behavior including a higher incidence of aggression.
3. Neglect and the impact of neglect is still emerging.
Children who experience neglect usually have no se-cure
attachment and have difficulty forming relation-ships.
(Fox, 2009)
“At Hannah House we are commit-ted
to educating ourselves and young
moms on the importance of Infant
Mental Health. We believe in setting
babies up for a successful and healthy
future.”
-Rochelle Plett
Relationships and the Experiences They Offer Profoundly
Influence a Young Child’s Development
Chaya Kulkarni, Ed. D
Copyright O 2009 Invest in Kids
Photo by: Marta Maria Fontana
23. HANNAH HOUSE
23
Photo by: Aftab Uzzaman
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world
walks out. - Walter Winchell
Life is full of challenge. When I look back on my life I am so thankful for friends and mentors
who have come at just the right time giving encouragement and support along with words of
guidance and advice just when I needed them, kind of like a coach. So at Hannah House in
2010 we began a journey to find the right fit for building relationship with each unique young
mom that came to live in our home.
Life Coaching is a core value at Hannah House. Our Client Support Workers are paired up
with a new mom upon her first contact and the relationship continues even after they move on to in-dependent
living in the community. Life Coaches are right there going through the ups and downs of
settling in to a new place. They provide support, a listening ear, encouraging suggestions, prayer and
direction. They laugh, love, listen and share in the highs and lows that our young moms experience. They
are often there, going through labor and delivery as well.
It is said that the joy is in the journey, so walking along side a young woman is both a joy and privilege.
Real ministry only happens when it is both given and received in a mutual way. That is when relation-ships
develop. At Hannah House we provide safety, security, shelter and support; changing the lives of
TWO generations- mother and child, empowering young women to become self-sufficient contributing
members of our community and in the process we find our lives changed for the better with each new
encounter.
By: Cheryl Plett, Executive Director of Hannah House
24. HANNAH HOUSE
I graduated high school. I’m so proud of this big accomplishment. A lot of it has to do
with you (the staff from Hannah House). If I did not come to you 6 years ago when I
found out I was pregnant I don’t know where I would be today, You helped me achieve
my goals and have been here for me since day 1. You are a fantastic place and fantastic
people and I am truly blessed to have been able to come to your home and learn the
things I learned to help raise Miley and get on my feet and be the best parent I could
be at such a young age. I did not appreciate the home as much when I lived there. Now
I look back on my life and I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. Thank you
to all the staff that have worked at Hannah House and have been there for me from the
beginning and to all who taught me to be the person I am today. I love you all and am
so blessed. Thank you sooo much for the opportunity and experience. You have made
me a better person in so many different ways. xoxo
24
Reaching For The Stars
“Sky is the limit!
Always reach
for the stars with
faith, believing
that you will get
to the brightest
one!”
-Author Unknown
Jaycee & Miley
2008 Former Resident
25. HANNAH HOUSE
25
To the Hannah House team - those that were
there when I was and those that help the young
mothers of today - keep doing what you’re do-ing.
You’re building confidence, creating rou-tines,
giving these women life skills they may
not have learned elsewhere... And saving lives.
Believe it or not, some of us wouldn’t be where
we are without you. Nor would our little people.
So thank you. From all of us. I think I can speak
for all of us in that. We all appreciate everything
you’ve done and continue to do. THANK YOU!!
Natalie & Liam
2014 Graduate
In April 2014 I moved to Hannah House only
needing a few more credits to finish high-school.
I had just learned I was further along in
my pregnancy then I thought. I had many sleep-less
nights and early mornings but someone on
staff was always there to help me complete my
assignments. Conversations throughout the day
always made me feel like someone had my back.
I feel that if it wasn’t for Hannah House helping
me I would never have graduated and would
still be trying to complete school today. I am so
proud to be where I am 18 years old, graduat-ed
from grade 12, starting life with my beautiful
daughter Kathlynn. Thank you so much for be-ing
there to support me down this new life path.
Elizabeth & Kathlynn
2014 Graduate
To see more inspiring stories please visit: www.hannahhouse.ca
26. Imagine
What You
Can Do
HANNAH HOUSE
26
Earlier this year a local software company from Welland, My Fund
Partner (MFP), teamed up with Hannah House to provide a more
robust experience for their supporters!
The “new” platform provides a one stop solution for Hannah
House to do all their administration, donations, and events on-line!
Anthony Pasto, from MFP says, “Hannah House has just
jumped into the convenience and clarity arena by providing all their supporters
an easy way to connect and participate. Now when people want to do something
fantastic to support this great organization they can do it with ease.”
Pasto is referring to the personal Quest area of the site as well as the online store.
The Quest area allows potential supporters to fill in a simple 4 step application.
Once approved by the Hannah House crew the Quest goes live so the supporters
can post on social media sites, add new information, pictures or videos, update
progress and collect funds online.
Imagine how much help you can provide to this wonderful organization! Imag-ine
what fun you could be having while you help! Imagine what great events you
could be running! Imagine doing it right away!
Pasto went on to say “the ideas people come up with to support organizations are
amazing. Motorcycle rides, furniture painting, whistling, BBQ’s, concerts, etc…
The list is endless and the more fun people have the better the event!”
The other area Pasto referred to is the online store. This is a great way for busi-nesses
and individuals to support Hannah House as well. If you’re a business and
you’d like to support this great organization while you market yourself to the
community, start thinking about the products or services you provide and get
them on the Hannah House store for supporters to purchase. Social media has
changed the model for marketing and Hannah House is now in position to help
you get noticed! Recently Hannah House has been selling rain-barrels and blan-kets.
Tomorrow it could be gift cards for your restaurant or spa!
Submitted By: My Fund Partner
Photo by: Daniel Zimmermann
28. Hannah House ‘Full Circle’ Lunch Fundraiser
Guest Speaker Cindy McGuire
Friday February 13, 2015 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM
White Oaks Conference Resort
RSVP: www.hannahhouse.ca/events
Please note: seating for this event is limited.
29. HANNAH HOUSE
Cindy McGuire (Gatenby) is the founder of
Hannah House, Niagara Region’s first ma-ternity
home. In February 2000 Hannah
House officially opened its doors to welcome
and provide young women and their ba-bies
a safe and nurturing place to call home.
Throughout Cindy’s social work career she has earned
a Master of Social Work and has worked in various set-tings
such as Family and Children’s Services, The Niagara
Health System and Niagara Falls Community Health Centre.
Cindy’s extensive social work career has come full circle since
the founding of Hannah House. In the year 2010 Cindy estab-lished
her own private practice, McGuire Counselling Ser-vices,
where she provides individual and family counselling. Photo by: Bobby Acree
29
You Are
Invited
30. Day’s
Of Give
Aways
12
For the next twelve days (as Christmas draws near)….we will be drop-ping
by with some holiday cheer! So….keep your eyes open, Your ears
perked up, too. We’ve thought long & hard about what to bring you!
Along with our gifts that will come each night is a wish for a Merry
Christmas and a New Year that ‘s bright.
It’s time to spread some Christmas cheer & participating in “The 12
Days of Give Aways” is the perfect way. Beginning on December 6th
each morning the Moms and Babies at Hannah House will wake up to
a carefully chosen gift. So much joy comes from giving to others!
If you would like to participate through the donation of gifts for one of
the 12 days please contact jennifer@hannahhouse.ca today.
31. Your Gifts
Provide Shelter & Security
When It’s Needed Most
Our first priority is to provide safety, security and the shelter of a
home. Your investment keeps the doors open the lights on and
little toes warm. You enable us to provide for the daily needs of
Mom and Baby.
Provide Support Where It’s
Needed Most
Your investment provides caring support 24/7 for Mom and Baby
through qualified Hannah House Life Coaches. You ensure that
Mom can continue her education, acquire life skills training and
be equipped to provide the best quality care for Baby.
To give a gift securely visit : www.hannahhouse.ca
OR use the enclosed gift card & drop it in the mail today.
All gifts given before December 31 will receive a tax receipt for 2014.
31
32. HANNAH HOUSE
32
Executive Director: Cheryl Plett
Director: Rochelle Plett
Resident Services Manager: Betsy Redpath
HR/Administration Manager: Jennifer Spink
Full Creative & Editorial Design: Heather Fraser
Hannah House Maternity Home
4761 Crysler Ave, Niagara Falls,
ON, L2E3V9
info@hannahhouse.ca
www.hannahhouse.ca
