Dear Friend,
With the holiday season fast approaching, we are very aware that a joyful time can quickly become a stressful, anxious one, especially for pregnant and parenting young mothers who are struggling.
Youth who participate in Rose of Sharon’s free programs and high school are welcomed unconditionally in a safe, supportive space. It helps to put their minds at ease knowing that they are not alone and that they have access to resources and a compassionate team who will support them through their motherhood journey.
Sommer, a Rose of Sharon mother and recent high school graduate, shared her personal experience:
“The Rose of Sharon is a place of hope – where they help make goals and dreams a reality. I could not have imagined that Rose of Sharon would fulfill my expectations the way they did. They have helped me to see myself through a clearer lens and I now know my potential can be reached because of all of the support I received.”
Rose of Sharon is here when young moms like Sommer, need us most. We offer timely, free resources without a waiting list. At our Newmarket location, youth continue their high school education and graduate at our York Academy. We are proud to share that in June, we celebrated with 6 mothers who successfully graduated high school and are moving forward with their education goals! Our online and onsite programs offer prenatal care and nutrition information, parenting skills and child development workshops. Youth receive personal counselling and have access to childminding and transportation assistance while they participate in onsite programs. And our resource portal: ParentsConnect.ca offers online support that is accessible 24/7.
We hope that you will keep our Rose of Sharon families in mind this holiday season. With your support, we will help young mothers continue their education, set goals, and develop their skills to raise strong and healthy children.
There are several impactful ways that you can help our families celebrate the holiday season with their little ones.
Family Holiday Baskets
This is a thoughtful and heartwarming gift. Each Donor who sponsors a family basket will receive a personalized wish list created by a young mom that includes gift suggestions for her children ($100 value per child) and a $100 gift card for the family’s use. Donors can enjoy the process of choosing items from the wish list, knowing that their contributions will go towards creating a memorable holiday by assembling festive baskets for families in need. During these economically difficult times, we expect 110-120 families will request holiday baskets which our volunteer drivers will deliver to their homes. To sponsor a basket, please complete this form 2024 Family Holiday Basket Program by November 18th. Carol Dowell, our Donor Relations and Volunteer Coordinator is managing the basket program and can be reached at: cdowell@roseofsharon.com | 905-716-3956.
Care Packages Supply Drive
Food insecurity touches the lives of many Ontario families – including 1 in 5 children. Grocery prices have increased by almost 20% over the past 2 years and the young mothers that we assist are struggling to buy the basic resources needed to raise healthy babies. Every month, our dedicated volunteers deliver Family Care Package to 150 marginalized families living in our community.
Our supplies are running out. We are in urgent need of non-perishable foods, baby food & formula, diapers, baby care & mom personal hygiene items. You can help us by providing grocery cards, organizing a Supply Drive or donating items from our list. To confirm your participation and to book a drop-off time, please contact Leanne Knipe, Program Manager at: lknipe@roseofsharon.com | 905-716-3953
Grocery Cards for Holiday Meals
Our wish is that every Rose of Sharon mother will prepare a special meal for her young family this holiday. Our goal is to give a $100 value in grocery cards to each of the 150 vulnerable families who participate in our food security program. To donate grocery cards, please contact Karen Warner, our Fund Development & Communications Manager at: kwarner@roseofsharon.com | 905.717.5014.
Volunteers
We need your help during the month of December! We are looking for volunteers to deliver family holiday baskets and care packages to our families in York Region. For more information, please contact Carol Dowell, our Volunteer Coordinator at: cdowell@roseofsharon.com | 905-716-3956.
Financial Donations
It’s essential that we offer free support so that help is available when young mothers need it. 100% of our free programs and services are funded through community donations, grants, and fundraising activities like our holiday giving campaign. Would you like to plan a special fundraiser for Rose of Sharon? We can help! We are happy to provide donation envelopes or create a customized online donation form. To discuss ideas, please contact Karen Warner, our Fund Development Manager at: kwarner@roseofsharon.com | 905.717.5014.
We express our profound gratitude for the support you provide during this holiday season to our young parents who are dedicated to nurturing and raising their little ones. Thank you for showing our families that they are not alone and that you care and are thinking of them.
Wishing you and your families a heartwarming holiday,
Deanne Kukulewich
Executive Director
