RMH Charities (RMHC) create a “home away from home” (food, shelter, respite) for weary families in crisis seeking care for their sick child. There are 16 “Houses” and numerous “Family Rooms” across Canada.
McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton) IS Guelph’s children’s hospital. Hundreds of children with serious medical conditions (cancer, trauma, etc.) are emergency transfers from Guelph General to McMaster, requiring weeks or months in hospital. RMHC South Central Ontario (RMHCSCO), run by 15 paid staff and 200 volunteers, is there for family members providing crucial support for those children.
The financial impacts on families for travel and accommodation can be staggering. In 2024, Guelph families with children in McMaster stayed 1,392 nights at RMHCSCO, with 6,900 meals provided to parents and siblings.
While families pay $12 a night (unchanged since 1993 and which can be waived), the actual cost to stay at The House is over $200 a night. The cost to house, feed and provide programming was well over $300,000 for last year. With no government support and minimal contributions from McDonald’s itself, fundraising is crucial.
RMHC is committed to financial efficiency, focused on keeping the cost of every dollar raised as low as possible, and ensuring that each donation goes toward supporting families in need.
100WWCG’s more than $16,000 donation would create a fund to specifically support Guelph families travelling for medical care for their child, and would help the RMHCSCO operating budget and significantly reduce other fundraising needs.
Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to join 100WWCG and help support those in need in our community.
Author Archives: Tannis Sprott
Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington Express Their Gratitude for Our October 2024 Donation
What your donation has done for our community!
A refugee claimant family newly arrived in Canada on November 12th and had been living in a shelter since their arrival. Due to limited space within the shelter, they were occupying one room for the whole family. The family consisted of 8 family members: 6 children and two parents. Based on their limited resources, the family was selected to be beneficiary of ISGW temporary housing support.
Family #1
A 2-bedroom accommodation with 5 beds was arranged for the family to move in by December 23, 2024, until end of March 31, 2025. With our support they have begun the process to receive refugee status. They have already received their Acknowledgment of Claim and UCI number, and they have done their medical as well. They had an appointment on December 17 at 8:00am with IRCC officer in Kitchener.
With our staff support the father, mom and youth all have work permits and need help to get a job. Driver’s license has been translated by our TIPS program.
To further support their successful integration, they have received the following:
1) Work permit
2) SIN number
3) Welcome card that gives them a bus pass, access to YMCA and orientation information.
4) They completed an English assessment
5) Referred to several employers as they are super keen to work.
6) We have registered the children in school. Waiting for next step to check documents at each school: Central Public School, Willow Rd Public School and GCVI.
Family # 2
A three-person family with a mother expecting another child had been staying in our shelter. They were selected to be beneficiary of ISGW temporary housing support. Given the mother is expecting and has a two- year-old child we felt it was prudent for us to support with a temporary housing solution. A 2-bedroom basement was arranged for the family to move in by December 23, 2024, till end of April 31, 2025. The unit
is fully furnished and even a crib was prepared since they are expecting new baby in March 2025. Since their move in date, the father started working and hopes to stay at his current residency.
ISGW staff and board of express our sincere appreciation for your generous contribution. With your help 7 children and one expecting mother are warm and safe tonight! It may not seem like a lot but imagine where they would be if you had not supported our mission to help newcomers who choose the City of Guelph
as their home!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
100WWCG has chosen Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington
100 Women Who Care Guelph (WWCG) has chosen Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington (ISGW) as our fourth charity of 2024 (our 10th year!) to receive its approximately $16,000 donation. The donation will provide emergency housing for asylum seekers in the cold winter months.
Since 1978, ISGW has been providing services to refugees and permanent residents to help make Guelph their home, serving 4800 clients last year. ISGW is also a bridge service for temporary housing to “asylum seekers” via a limited emergency fund.
An asylum seeker is …a person who has fled their home country and is seeking protection in another country because of persecution, war or violence (canadacomons.ca). Their claim for asylum is under evaluation, waiting on whether they will be granted refugee status. They do not have the all-important work permit.
Due to the current housing crisis, 61% of asylum seekers are housed in shelters, however shelters in Guelph (a destination “hot spot”) are at capacity. Families with children may have nowhere to turn and often arrive at the ISGW office on cold winter nights. Last year, 150 asylum seekers were families.
In addition to various shelters mentioned above, a few local hotels offer reduced nightly rates (also often at capacity). ISGW is also working with a non-profit that has a farmhouse in a rural setting and is willing to work cooperatively to provide affordable housing.
Unfortunately, due to the depletion of ISGW’s emergency fund and increasing number of families seeking refuge, without 100WWCG’s donation, it would be difficult to access emergency accommodation for those in need.
ISGW intends to use the donation to replenish its emergency fund to seek emergency accommodation for the growing number in need, spending less on hotels. Food and other living expenses would be provided by other charities or agencies.
Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.
Hope House Guelph expresses their “Thank You” for our June 2024 donation!
Hope House Guelph Extends A Huge Thanks to 100 Women Who Care
It is so good to be back. My name is Jaya James and I have had the privilege of being
the Executive Director of Hope House Guelph since November 2016.
On June 24, 2024, I had the honour of presenting to you, on the affordability crisis that
so many in Guelph are facing. I shared how a growing number of Guelphites must make
increasingly difficult choices like choosing between paying rent and buying food.
Thanks to each and every one of you for purchasing milk and eggs for
distribution through nine food markets to 3,402 people including 469 older adults
(age 65+) 1,111 children and youth (age 0-17). Milk and eggs are core food needs for
most households providing essential nutrition.
With the generous support of 100 Women Who Care, Hope House has been able to
purchase thirteen weeks’ worth of milk and eggs to distribute to the food insecure
families that access our food markets. Each week you purchased 150 dozen eggs
($495) and 360 litres of milk ($840). Thank you for your kind generosity!
But even more impressive, this $17,000+ donation resulted in you crossing the
$500,000 mark in donations for local charities. That’s half a million dollars put to work in
support of fellow community members, friends, and families. A pretty impressive
accomplishment in 10 years.
At Hope House we know that poverty, food insecurity, and health are all interconnected. We also know that the opposite of poverty is community. We have seen people move into a better future as they are able to access the resources they need. That is why we embrace a collaborative approach in everything we do. By teaming up with over 20 organizations across different sectors, we make sure that under-resourced families have access to the essentials they need.
As one of the largest food security organizations in Guelph, Hope House has supported
over 6,100 vulnerable Guelphites to grow, succeed, and be healthy since April 1, 2024.
Last year we distributed close to $900,000 of groceries and meals through our nine food markets.
The values of dignity, belonging and empowerment are core to our mission and evident
through our distribution model. This can be seen in our onsite food market, which is set
up like a mini grocery store where people walk the aisles and select the items they
need. Almost every individual selects milk and eggs. As well, in partnership with the County of Wellington, Hope House offers farmers’ market style food markets in eight
social housing buildings. All these markets allow individuals the dignity of selecting their
own fresh produce, milk, eggs, dry goods and hygiene products for free.
We know these markets are making a difference. In our 2023 annual program survey
we learned that:
● 98% of respondents said Hope House was an important source of healthy food,
● 89% said accessing food from Hope House improved their eating habits, and
● 74% reported an improvement in their mental health after visiting Hope House.
The sad reality is that 18% of households in Guelph are food insecure. This means that
nearly 1 in 5 individuals are either worried about having enough food to eat, adjusting
their eating habits to fit tight budgets, or even skipping meals.
We know the solution to food insecurity is income security. This is why Hope House
continues to advocate for income security for all. You can learn more about income
security as the solution to food insecurity on the Guelph-Wellington Task Force for
Poverty Elimination website – https://www.gwpoverty.ca/food-insecurity/
Until income security for all is achieved, your efforts to support vulnerable individuals
and families in Guelph through your financial donations, through your food donations
and through volunteering your time will continue to ensure that no one goes hungry
within our community.
Thank you for making a difference for 3,402 individuals through your generous financial
support.
Warm with gratitude,
Jaya James
Executive Director – Hope House Guelph
June 2024 – Special Press Release to Mark Reaching $500,000 in Donations
100 Women Who Care Guelph Exceeds $500,000 in Donations
As 100 Women Who Care Guelph completes their 10th year of giving with their most recent donation to Hope House Guelph, they have crossed the $500,000 mark in donations for local charities. That’s half a million dollars put to work in support of fellow community members, friends, and families.
The 100 Women concept has proven to be a powerful grassroots funding strategy that has spread around the globe. The Guelph chapter formed in October of 2014, arising from a conversation among friends who recognized the great need that exists in the community, matched with a great desire for people to contribute locally.
“The simplicity of the idea appealed to us,” says Sharon Lewis, one of the co-founders of the group. “We never really set a goal for the amount raised, but we knew the direction felt right.”
“When we began this endeavour, we had no idea how long it would last, or what kind of impact it would have, but we knew the potential was great. What we did have a healthy dose of optimism, some great energy, and lots of ideas to bounce around the room,” says Tannis Sprott, another co-founder.
That spirit has taken the group far. The inaugural meeting saw 98 members sign up. That number has grown over the decade to 175 members currently. Their unflagging commitment and generosity have meant so much to local charities, allowing them to dream a little bigger, and to reach even more people in need.
The group’s funds have supported 35 different charities, encompassing many of the issues facing our community from hospice care, food insecurity and mental health, to the library, gardening, and even the purchase of a horse for Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre!
The donation thermometer on the 100WWCG website was gleefully raised to $1,000,000 this week as the group launches into its second decade. New members are always welcome.
To learn more about this group of women who care deeply about our community and are passionate about contributing to its health and vitality, and the charities they have supported, visit their website at www.100womenwhocareguelph.com.
Press Release for June 2024 (Hope House Guelph)
100 Women Who Care Guelph Supports Hope House Guelph
100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Hope House as our fourth charity of 2024 (our 10th year!) to receive its over $17,000 donation. The donation will supply milk and eggs to approximately 3000 food insecure people in Guelph.
Hope House “offers services and programs that challenge the stigmas surrounding
poverty and allows community members to maintain their dignity and choice while
simultaneously providing them with tactile skills developed in a community
environment, creating long-term skills that facilitate self-sufficiency.” (hopehouseguelph.ca)
Among its various programs, Hope House, distributes both purchased and donated food through nine different food markets in Guelph to food insecure people. Unfortunately, most donated food is carbohydrate rich, lacking in foods (such as milk and eggs) that are high in protein and certain vitamins/minerals.
Hope House currently purchases 1000 eggs a week at wholesale prices and with
significant discounts, but can barely meet the current demand. Why? The number of food insecure people visiting Hope House food markets alone has grown from 3500 to 4700 people in under a year, and is still increasing by over 34%+ yearly.
The most significant reason for the increase in demand is the high cost of affordable
housing (which has tripled in recent years) for those on low incomes, working or not or
with complex needs. Although likely temporary, a 1000 person strike at a local food plant has significantly increased the number of people attending the food markets.
The $17,000+ donation would supply four to five months of milk and eggs to over 3000
Guelphites in this vulnerable community. Since demand is growing, without increases in
funding, Hope House may/will need to place people on a wait list. Reducing food
insecurity (to any degree) will help more people grow, succeed and be healthy.
Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.
Guelph Wish Fund for Children offers a heartfelt “Thank You!”
Good evening, everyone.
I am deeply honored to be here tonight to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity. On behalf of the Guelph Wish Fund for Children, I want to thank each and every one of you for your donation of $15,500. Your kindness and compassion have truly changed the lives of many children and their families, putting smiles on their faces and giving them hope and joy during challenging times.
Your support has made a profound impact on children like Arya, who is just one year old and suffers from a rare form of epilepsy known as KCNA2. Arya is one of only three cases in Canada and the youngest in the country. Her family needed a specialized monitor that alerts them when a seizure occurs, with the results going directly to her doctor. Thanks to your generosity, Arya’s family can now ensure her safety and well-being, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to focus on cherishing every moment with her.
Maisie, a four-year-old with Mosaic Trisomy 15, a rare chromosomal anomaly syndrome, has growth restrictions, congenital cardiac anomalies, and craniofacial dysmorphism. Maisie loves camping, and her family’s dream was to create lasting memories together in a camping trailer. Your donation made this dream a reality, allowing Maisie to experience the joy and adventure of camping, surrounded by
the love and laughter of her family, including her brother and sister.
Then there’s Weston, who needed a wheelchair lift for his home. Weston’s mobility challenges required significant adjustments to his living environment to ensure he could move around safely and independently. Your contribution provided him with the necessary lift, greatly enhancing his quality of life and enabling him to navigate his home with ease.
Owen, who was born with a cranial disorder, needed two helmets and underwent surgeries to correct his condition. Owen is now four years old and full of energy and enthusiasm. He had a simple wish: to have a water table and a rock climbing wall at home. Your generosity made this possible, bringing immense joy to Owen as he plays and explores, building his strength and confidence.
And finally, Liam, a 16-year-old with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, a genetic degenerative disease that affects his eyesight and development. Liam finds joy in playing with Lego and collecting vinyl records. His family also used some of his wish fund to go on a movie site tour at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii during a family vacation. Seeing where some of his favorite movie scenes were filmed and the props up close, including the vehicle that Steven Spielberg himself used in a Jurassic movie, was a dream come true for him. Your support has allowed Liam to continue indulging in his passions, bringing happiness and a sense of normalcy to his life.
These stories are just a few examples of the countless lives you have touched with your kindness. Your donation is not just a financial contribution; it is a gift of hope, love, and joy. You have made dreams come true, provided comfort in times of need, and given these children and their families precious moments to cherish.
Thank you for believing in the mission of the Guelph Wish Fund for Children and for being a a bright light for these children. Your generosity reminds us all of the incredible power of community and compassion. Together, we are making a profound difference, one wish at a time.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you from all of us at the Guelph Wish Fund for Children.
Master Gardeners of Ontario Say a Big “Thank You”!
Good evening,
My name is Danielle Gignac, and I am the coordinator for the Guelph-Wellington Master
Gardeners. It is my great pleasure to be here tonight to thank you for your incredible
donation and to share with you some of what we are doing in our community.
The Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. is an organization dedicated to providing science-
based sustainable horticultural information to the public. The Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) began the Master Gardener Program in
1985, but it is now an independent nonprofit organization. Each region operates as an
independent group under the provincial umbrella. The benefit of this is that members of a group reside in the area they serve, and so can be most effective in their service and provide relevant advice to the particular growing zone.
Master Gardeners receive their certification after completing an educational component (consisting of a series of 3 or 4 university horticulture courses or self-study and a written exam) as well as 2 years of volunteering at 30 hours per year. After becoming certified, members must maintain continuing education as well as their 30 volunteer hours. These rigorous requirements ensure that members stay up-to-date in their knowledge and active in their service so that we can fulfill our mandate. With the overabundance of information available today, it is crucial that people have a trusted resource for unbiased scientific, authoritative information that is backed by practical experience and relevant to particular growing conditions.
Our volunteer activities typically include advice clinics at public events or garden tours;
answer questions through our telephone or email hotline; prepare and present garden
talks and workshops for both adults and children at local venues such as the libraries,
other horticultural societies or garden centres; speak on the radio; create online videos;
respond to gardening questions on social media platforms; and write gardening articles,
to name just a few! Last year, the members of our local group contributed a total of over 2000 volunteer hours in the Guelph-Wellington community.
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization. As a non-profit group focused on
information sharing, most of our activities do not require significant funds. Our
educational events, such as Day in the Garden, are typically offered at-cost to
attendees. Our May Plant Sale is usually the only fundraising event we have each year,
and this is used to cover expenses related to offering our normal services. As such, we
rarely have the opportunity to put together a program like we have been able to do with your generous donation.
You have enabled us to facilitate practical horticulture education for Grade 3 students at 20 Guelph elementary schools. We are able to support and enhance the current
curriculum by creating educational content as well as providing the actual materials and
equipment for students to practice what they learn.
The subject students will be taught is “relating science and technology to our changing
world by assessing ways in which plants are beneficial to society and the environment,
and ways in which human activity has an impact on plants and plant habitats.” We are
providing full growing kits for seed starting, which will support learning on plant growth
and health in general, as well as food security in particular–a growing concern in our
world today. The complete kits would include educational information for starting and
maintaining vegetable plants, a moveable multi-level rack, full spectrum grow lights,
light timer, soil, pots, seeds, labels, and necessary tools. All of this equipment will stay
with the schools and be able to be used from year to year, with only new soil and seeds
needed at a minimal cost. We are also providing teacher support to ensure the growing
process goes smoothly.
We see this program as having great potential to reach beyond the classroom as well.
With concerns around food security, we know these seed starting kits will be extremely
valuable for life skills that may be necessary for a child’s family either now or in the
future. As anyone who grows plants knows, there is also an emotional and
psychological element to the process. The joy and thrill of seeing our seeds germinate
or a bee pollinating our flowers is so good for our well-being. Studies have shown that
gardening is beneficial to mental health. Even with some disappointments with
germination or pests, gardening is ever hopeful. Every seed planted expresses our faith
in a future where it will grow and thrive. We need this more than ever.
All the materials have now been purchased and our volunteers will be assembling the
kits this weekend. On April 15, they will be delivered to the classrooms. We know these
growing kits will be an exciting addition to these 20 classrooms. Transformation begins
with education. By making growing plants accessible to kids, we are equipping them
with lifelong skills to contribute toward a sustainable future. On behalf of the Guelph-
Wellington Master Gardeners, I thank you so very much for supporting us to do this
work. We know the benefits will be far-reaching. You are planting a seed in the lives of
these kids – an act of hope for the future. Thank you.
Sharon Lewis and Tannis Sprott make a 100WWCG cheque presentation to Danielle Gignac of Master Gardeners of Ontario
(Photo Credit: Crista Renner)
Press Release April 2024 (Guelph Wish Fund for Children)
100 Women Who Care Guelph Supports Guelph Wish Fund for Children
100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Guelph Wish Fund for Children (GWFC) as our second 2024 charity to receive our almost $16,000 donation. It will help provide “wishes” to eligible Guelph and Wellington County (WC) children up to 19 and their families who are living with a significant illness, life-altering injury or a rare and debilitating syndrome (guelphwishfund.com).
The first GWFC “wish” was granted in 1985; GWFC received non-profit/charity status in 1995 and has now granted 458 wishes! It also supports scholarships for deserving graduates in the 12 secondary schools in Guelph and WC.
Most affected children wish for an experience: a trip, meeting a celebrity, bedroom makeover, electronic device, etc. The anticipation can be as impactful as the wish itself. GWFC also helps with specialized equipment, medical expenses, assistance devices, lost income, etc.
GWFC receives no government support; volunteers help keep operating costs low. GWFC partners with their community and many generous local individuals, groups and businesses. Annually, it holds a Gala, Golf Tournament and Auction.
Of course the need for funding is ongoing; there are currently 90 children in the program with GWFC accepting 2 referred children monthly; none that qualify are turned away.
Upon referral and acceptance, a child’s wish account is created with a value of up to $10,000. The funds can be spent all at once or over several years and must be used by the time the child is 19. GWFC oversees the account and requires families to regularly submit receipts.
Our donation of approximately $16,000 would help this worthy Guelph/WC charity continue providing hope, strength, wonderful moments and memories to children and their families during a difficult time. It would help “make a child’s life a little happier”.
Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or become a member and help support those in need in our community.
Press Release January 2024 (Master Gardeners of Ontario)
100 Women Who Care Guelph Supports Master Gardeners of Ontario (Guelph Wellington).
100 Women Who Care Guelph, now in its 10th year, has chosen Master Gardeners of Ontario (Guelph-Wellington) as the first charity in 2024 to receive its $10,000+ donation. The donation will contribute to the creation of an inspirational program in local schools to help young people learn to grow food.
Master Gardeners are “… certified horticultural experts who provide gardening information to the public on a volunteer basis; … a community resource for all things botanical!”
Master Gardeners has been and is successful in fulfilling its mandate of “providing advice and inspiration to the local gardening community” for adults; see (www.gwmastergardeners.ca)
However, it also sees the need of young people to learn how to grow food via actual, hands-on experience. 100WWCG funds will be directed towards the creation of a program for Grade 3 students in Guelph which will educate students about growing food gardens with their families.
Current challenges include a need for this knowledge in young people, today’s high cost of food as well as food waste.
There is also a lack of funds; the annual spring plant sale and one other small program generate the only income Master Gardeners receives. These funds are already committed and insufficient (i.e., not available) to design and deliver this innovative program.
100WWCG funding of $10,000+ would be used to build kits for approximately 20 to 25 classrooms, including educational information for starting and maintaining vegetable gardens: a raised planter, full spectrum grow lights, soil, trays, seeds, and necessary tools. The reusable kits would be left with participating schools.
There are sufficient Guelph Master Gardener member-volunteers to help set up the program and provide ongoing support for teachers. School boards will solicit schools to apply for the program, initially selecting those in food insecure geographic areas.
The aim of the program is to encourage local kids and their families to gain lifelong life skills and to see that plants are beneficial to the world and to society. The program has the potential to spread, inspiring many other schools that recognize the need and indeed, “helping the world” to be a greener, less wasteful planet.
Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.