A Small Organization Making A Big Difference
November 2020
Will YOU make a difference this Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. This movement has grown significantly and is now a global generosity movement that has unleashed the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This year in Canada, Giving Tuesday, (the kick-off to the giving season) will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Of course, holiday generosity isn’t limited to giving only on this day – Canadians make 35% of annual online donations in December alone. In fact, 68% of Canadians agree that they are interested to receive “a charitable gift that would help someone else, rather than a traditional gift like a pair of socks or a sweater”*.
2020 has been a challenging year for Second Story Women’s Centre and other non-profits…. first switching to telephone and on-line programming for youth and adults; and then later, finding a new way of doing business as we moved to reintroducing programs and services onsite. We are so proud of our staff and clients, who have shown leadership and resilience in meeting these challenges.
So as we wrap up this year, we ask you to consider supporting a non-profit organization on Giving Tuesday or rather than wrapping a Christmas gift, make an on-line donation. P.S. We are working towards offering the option of spreading your generosity throughout the year by making a recurring monthly donation via our donation page.
Until next month,
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
*2015 Ipsos Reid research collected for the Red Cross
Will YOU make a difference this Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. This movement has grown significantly and is now a global generosity movement that has unleashed the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This year in Canada, Giving Tuesday, (the kick-off to the giving season) will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Of course, holiday generosity isn’t limited to giving only on this day – Canadians make 35% of annual online donations in December alone. In fact, 68% of Canadians agree that they are interested to receive “a charitable gift that would help someone else, rather than a traditional gift like a pair of socks or a sweater”*.
2020 has been a challenging year for Second Story Women’s Centre and other non-profits…. first switching to telephone and on-line programming for youth and adults; and then later, finding a new way of doing business as we moved to reintroducing programs and services onsite. We are so proud of our staff and clients, who have shown leadership and resilience in meeting these challenges.
So as we wrap up this year, we ask you to consider supporting a non-profit organization on Giving Tuesday or rather than wrapping a Christmas gift, make an on-line donation. P.S. We are working towards offering the option of spreading your generosity throughout the year by making a recurring monthly donation via our donation page.
Until next month,
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
*2015 Ipsos Reid research collected for the Red Cross
September 2020
There’s Power in Partnerships
We are so thankful to the individuals, foundations, small and large businesses that have been helping us through grants and donations, both before and since the Covid 19 pandemic began. This support has eased immediate budget pressures and is allowing us to now focus on building for the Centre’s future sustainability.
One area that we would like to pursue in the next six months is to build on current relationships and also engage new supporters who are interested in exploring a 3-5 year commitment to raising funds for the Centre on a regular basis (this could be for one day a year, one day a month, one month a year or whatever works for you). These fundraisers could be a simple as collecting a $1/Friday for a staff dress-down day or offering envelopes to customers who would like to leave a donation for us; offering a percentage of every gift card bought from your business to be donated in support our Centre, or you may have an idea you’d like to run by us. Please reach out to us, we’d love to partner with you!
Until next month,
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
There’s Power in Partnerships
We are so thankful to the individuals, foundations, small and large businesses that have been helping us through grants and donations, both before and since the Covid 19 pandemic began. This support has eased immediate budget pressures and is allowing us to now focus on building for the Centre’s future sustainability.
One area that we would like to pursue in the next six months is to build on current relationships and also engage new supporters who are interested in exploring a 3-5 year commitment to raising funds for the Centre on a regular basis (this could be for one day a year, one day a month, one month a year or whatever works for you). These fundraisers could be a simple as collecting a $1/Friday for a staff dress-down day or offering envelopes to customers who would like to leave a donation for us; offering a percentage of every gift card bought from your business to be donated in support our Centre, or you may have an idea you’d like to run by us. Please reach out to us, we’d love to partner with you!
Until next month,
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
August 2020
Outreach Support Counselling
In a normal year, our Outreach Support Counsellor travels between Chester, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, Liverpool and in between to meet with clients who are unable to come for support counselling at Second Story Women’s Centre. Last year, mileage to support this unfunded work cost approximately $2500. This year, due to the pandemic, mileage is down; however, cell phone and internet costs are up. Thank you to everyone who continues to donate, as this is one of the programs your dollars support. Please consider visiting secondstory.ca/store/p13/DONATIONS and donating to this important initiative!
Another easy way to support us and perhaps win some money for yourself is to purchase tickets for the September 2, 2020, Rural Riches Draw. The Weekly Toonie Lottery (not the monthly on-line draw) will support our organization through 25% of the Toonie Lottery gross revenue for that week’s draw. Please mark your calendars to get your tickets between August 27-September 2 (before noon) and tell all your friends! P.S. Once you get your personal lottery number, you have the option of paying in advance, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to play each week.
You can purchase tickets at the following locations:
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
Outreach Support Counselling
In a normal year, our Outreach Support Counsellor travels between Chester, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, Liverpool and in between to meet with clients who are unable to come for support counselling at Second Story Women’s Centre. Last year, mileage to support this unfunded work cost approximately $2500. This year, due to the pandemic, mileage is down; however, cell phone and internet costs are up. Thank you to everyone who continues to donate, as this is one of the programs your dollars support. Please consider visiting secondstory.ca/store/p13/DONATIONS and donating to this important initiative!
Another easy way to support us and perhaps win some money for yourself is to purchase tickets for the September 2, 2020, Rural Riches Draw. The Weekly Toonie Lottery (not the monthly on-line draw) will support our organization through 25% of the Toonie Lottery gross revenue for that week’s draw. Please mark your calendars to get your tickets between August 27-September 2 (before noon) and tell all your friends! P.S. Once you get your personal lottery number, you have the option of paying in advance, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to play each week.
You can purchase tickets at the following locations:
- Ali's General Store, Blockhouse
- Circle K, Cookville
- MacDougall's Pharmasave,
- Chester Basin
- Chester Pharmasave, Chester
- Mike's Kwik Way, Lunenburg
- Kinburn Pharmasave, Mahone Bay
- Newcombville Irving, Newcombville
- New Germany Freshmart,
- New Germany
- Circle K, Wileville
- Atlantic Superstore Smoke Shop
- The Deck, Blandford
Janice B., Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
July 2020
Youth Programming (ages 9-12): Wellness for Girls Summer Camps
This month, I’d like to highlight one of the components of our Youth Programming at SSWC - our Wellness for Girls Summer Camps. Second Story Women’s Centre is hosting free online wellness camps for girls age 9-12. The main focus of the camp is to provide fun activities for youth and opportunities for engagement with their peers and adult Facilitator while also discussing topics important to girls at this stage of life. Plans for this summer include guided wellness opportunities, games, activities, discussions, and crafts. Activities will center around ideas of keeping a healthy mind and body such as Yoga, Zumba, mindfulness exercises, and gardening. For further information or to register, contact: GirlsSummerCamps@SecondStory.ca.
This program is one example of how a portion of our donor funds are put to use. Wages for our local Facilitator, training, supplies, etc. are some of the costs related to putting on summer programs. These programs are important for this area and our youth and we continue to apply for grants. We thank our generous supporters who help to keep programs like this going.
Cost for one youth (one week of Summer Wellness Camp) = $192
Current funding needs (after grants) for Summer 2020 program - $1,952
Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available to the girls (and hopefully in the future to boys) on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
Youth Programming (ages 9-12): Wellness for Girls Summer Camps
This month, I’d like to highlight one of the components of our Youth Programming at SSWC - our Wellness for Girls Summer Camps. Second Story Women’s Centre is hosting free online wellness camps for girls age 9-12. The main focus of the camp is to provide fun activities for youth and opportunities for engagement with their peers and adult Facilitator while also discussing topics important to girls at this stage of life. Plans for this summer include guided wellness opportunities, games, activities, discussions, and crafts. Activities will center around ideas of keeping a healthy mind and body such as Yoga, Zumba, mindfulness exercises, and gardening. For further information or to register, contact: GirlsSummerCamps@SecondStory.ca.
This program is one example of how a portion of our donor funds are put to use. Wages for our local Facilitator, training, supplies, etc. are some of the costs related to putting on summer programs. These programs are important for this area and our youth and we continue to apply for grants. We thank our generous supporters who help to keep programs like this going.
Cost for one youth (one week of Summer Wellness Camp) = $192
Current funding needs (after grants) for Summer 2020 program - $1,952
Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming available to the girls (and hopefully in the future to boys) on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
June 2020
My Guilty Pleasure
Giving, to me, is a selfless act and I expect nothing in return. The simple fact: what actually happens is that the joy I feel in knowing I have helped someone through my actions, makes me feel soooo good! Sometimes this makes me feel a bit guilty to know I am benefiting from the time I give, silly isn't it. For me, it feels great to give!
As pandemic restrictions have drastically reduced the in-person time I can give, my new focus is going to be to “Celebrate with Second Story”. I’m going to personally commit to making important events in my life even more special by making a donation to the Women’s Centre and by encouraging my family and friends to join me in this. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas – just a few events that are on my personal list of opportunities to give. Today, I am going to give in honor of the birth of my third grandson, Theo! (I wonder if it’s too early to sign him up for a future Boy’s Camp….I’ll tell you about that program next month.
I hope you’ll consider joining with me and making it your guilty pleasure too. Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming such as youth summer camps (virtual this year) available to the girls and boys on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
My Guilty Pleasure
Giving, to me, is a selfless act and I expect nothing in return. The simple fact: what actually happens is that the joy I feel in knowing I have helped someone through my actions, makes me feel soooo good! Sometimes this makes me feel a bit guilty to know I am benefiting from the time I give, silly isn't it. For me, it feels great to give!
As pandemic restrictions have drastically reduced the in-person time I can give, my new focus is going to be to “Celebrate with Second Story”. I’m going to personally commit to making important events in my life even more special by making a donation to the Women’s Centre and by encouraging my family and friends to join me in this. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas – just a few events that are on my personal list of opportunities to give. Today, I am going to give in honor of the birth of my third grandson, Theo! (I wonder if it’s too early to sign him up for a future Boy’s Camp….I’ll tell you about that program next month.
I hope you’ll consider joining with me and making it your guilty pleasure too. Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming such as youth summer camps (virtual this year) available to the girls and boys on the South Shore. Our annual fundraising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
May 2020
Support Counselling is Making an Impact
In last month’s Newsletter, I promised to tell you how donor support is making a difference at Second Story Women’s Centre. So, let’s talk about some local issues and how one of our programs, Support Counselling, is making an impact.
Some women and gender oppressed people, particularly those in rural areas, are at higher risk of gender-based violence, have fewer economic opportunities, and face a bigger gender wage gap than others. It happens because of greater systemic discrimination in their lives. It is important to try to understand the many ways different women are affected by barriers and discrimination that go beyond their gender and how this impacts their lives.
The majority of the clients we support face intersectional barriers around poverty, accessing timely health care, housing, transportation, and food-insecurity pronounced by the traumas they may have experienced. At Second Story Women’s Centre, we offer free support counselling throughout Lunenburg and Queens Counties. Through the counselling process, the client may learn more about themselves, and may also acquire new knowledge, skills or resources to assist them in their daily living.
We have one Counsellor located on-site and one Outreach Counsellor who will meet in a client’s community or elsewhere if that is a safer option. The Outreach Counsellor offers support to youth as well. We also have a part time Counsellor offering support in Bridgewater. Group or individual support counselling may be offered; with priority support offered to women in crisis. Support is ongoing and accessible - there is no set limit to the amount of sessions a client may schedule; however, each individual is given choice throughout their counselling experience. Through our Counsellors, or with the additional support of SSWC staff and volunteers, clients can also access resources of our ally organizations through referral. Last year, our Counsellors provided over 942 hours of free counselling, with an ever-growing waitlist.
If you would like to support our Counselling program, please feel free to donate online at https://www.secondstory.ca/store/p13/DONATIONS.html
Thank you for your time, interest and support. Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming such as Support Counselling available to the girls, women and gender-oppressed people on the South Shore. Our annual funding raising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
Support Counselling is Making an Impact
In last month’s Newsletter, I promised to tell you how donor support is making a difference at Second Story Women’s Centre. So, let’s talk about some local issues and how one of our programs, Support Counselling, is making an impact.
Some women and gender oppressed people, particularly those in rural areas, are at higher risk of gender-based violence, have fewer economic opportunities, and face a bigger gender wage gap than others. It happens because of greater systemic discrimination in their lives. It is important to try to understand the many ways different women are affected by barriers and discrimination that go beyond their gender and how this impacts their lives.
The majority of the clients we support face intersectional barriers around poverty, accessing timely health care, housing, transportation, and food-insecurity pronounced by the traumas they may have experienced. At Second Story Women’s Centre, we offer free support counselling throughout Lunenburg and Queens Counties. Through the counselling process, the client may learn more about themselves, and may also acquire new knowledge, skills or resources to assist them in their daily living.
We have one Counsellor located on-site and one Outreach Counsellor who will meet in a client’s community or elsewhere if that is a safer option. The Outreach Counsellor offers support to youth as well. We also have a part time Counsellor offering support in Bridgewater. Group or individual support counselling may be offered; with priority support offered to women in crisis. Support is ongoing and accessible - there is no set limit to the amount of sessions a client may schedule; however, each individual is given choice throughout their counselling experience. Through our Counsellors, or with the additional support of SSWC staff and volunteers, clients can also access resources of our ally organizations through referral. Last year, our Counsellors provided over 942 hours of free counselling, with an ever-growing waitlist.
If you would like to support our Counselling program, please feel free to donate online at https://www.secondstory.ca/store/p13/DONATIONS.html
Thank you for your time, interest and support. Until next month,
Janice B. Board Finance Officer
Your gift to Second Story Women’s Centre keeps our doors open and free programming such as Support Counselling available to the girls, women and gender-oppressed people on the South Shore. Our annual funding raising goal is $45-50,000 per year.
April 2020
Can you Give us a Second?
Did you know that ALL the programs and services offered through Second Story Women’s Centre are FREE?
Second Story and the 9 other Women’s Centres throughout Nova Scotia receive partial funding from the Province; however, we rely on our generous friends, volunteers and champions to help us close the gap between what we allotted and what we need to keep our doors open and programs running.
To continue our current programs and grow to meet local needs, our Centre needs to raise approximately $45-50,000 per year. This is a massive task for us, but we aim to be a small organization that makes a big difference!
Our Board is actively engaged in searching out and developing new avenues for funding. One of our initiatives is to utilize our newsletter in the upcoming months to offer ideas that will hopefully catch your interest and inspire you to “take a second” to think about how you might help us reach our goal. As well, we’ll take a look at local issues and how your donations to the Centre’s programming are making a difference.
As always, we thank our wonderful supporters and volunteers. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas and information with you in future newsletters; and if you have an idea that you’d like to run by us, we’d love to hear from you!
Janice B, Board Finance Officer
Can you Give us a Second?
Did you know that ALL the programs and services offered through Second Story Women’s Centre are FREE?
Second Story and the 9 other Women’s Centres throughout Nova Scotia receive partial funding from the Province; however, we rely on our generous friends, volunteers and champions to help us close the gap between what we allotted and what we need to keep our doors open and programs running.
To continue our current programs and grow to meet local needs, our Centre needs to raise approximately $45-50,000 per year. This is a massive task for us, but we aim to be a small organization that makes a big difference!
Our Board is actively engaged in searching out and developing new avenues for funding. One of our initiatives is to utilize our newsletter in the upcoming months to offer ideas that will hopefully catch your interest and inspire you to “take a second” to think about how you might help us reach our goal. As well, we’ll take a look at local issues and how your donations to the Centre’s programming are making a difference.
As always, we thank our wonderful supporters and volunteers. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas and information with you in future newsletters; and if you have an idea that you’d like to run by us, we’d love to hear from you!
Janice B, Board Finance Officer