100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Michael House to receive its most recent
$18,000+ donation, helping provide vital programming for pregnant and parenting
mothers and their children in need.

For over two decades, MH Pregnancy and Parent Support Services has dedicated itself
as a home and resource for women in crisis pregnancy situations. Together with
community partnerships, this Guelph-based charity provides Residential, Supportive
Housing, Aftercare and Drop-in programs, accessed as women transition to independent living in the community.

Much has already been done by MH. Since 2002, over 500 women and children hae
received shelter and support. In 2024 alone, over 760 hours of counseling and coaching
have been provided, 22 mothers lived in the Residential and Supportive Housing
programs and 25 children were supported.

However, these are unsettled times. Survivors of domestic violence, deep trauma and/or homelessness are often in the middle of a crisis, experiencing a sense of isolation, overwhelming uncertainty and are completely alone. They may also be navigating a sobriety journey.

Over the past few years, MH has seen an overwhelming need for mental health support
and increasing demand for help. There are significant waitlists for both its Residential
and Supported Housing programs which cannot be met until the summer of 2026.

MH would use 100WWCG’s $18,000+ donation to help address the growing need for
mental health support through more intensive counseling and vital life skills
programming such as cooking, etc. to help stabilize and build clients’ lives so they can
live independently. Through these programs, MH aims to transform the trajectory of lives for generations to come.

Three local charities (North End Harvest Market, Guelph Chamber Choir, Ignatius Jesuit
Centre Farm) were also awarded approximately $8,000 each from a bequest given to
100WWCG from the Estate of Gale Dudnick, another caring woman.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to join 100WWCG and help support those in need in our community.

100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen Chalmers Community Services Centre’s Food Pantry to receive its most recent $17,000+ donation. The donation will provide food to members of our community who are food insecure via nutritionally balanced food baskets and a breakfast cafe.

Chalmers has been serving Guelph for over 28 years, now working out of two locations, with 75 volunteers and five staff. Their vision: “a community without poverty, where people flourish with dignity and respect”.

With a mandate of “Food Security for All”, Chalmer’s Food Pantry service offers three Food Pantries and two welcoming cafes every week. Families from all walks of life are welcomed bi-weekly and choose fresh produce, eggs, cheese and more via a basket format. They served 21,249 people in 2024. Fifty-seven percent of recipients of the baskets were children.

In 2025, the Food Pantry is in urgent need of additional funding; over half of their approximately $700,000 budget buys food; the other half of the food is donated. Their only support is from donors, the City of Guelph and United Way.

The problem is two-fold. First: the number of “food insecure” families is growing along with the cost of both food and economic turbulence/job losses.

Second: the cost of food has caused the Food Pantry to cut items from their line-up and to decrease the amounts purchased. The result: longer and growing line-ups of needy families; it often runs out of food after 45 minutes and must turn guests away.

The Food Pantry is seeking our donation to respond to the growing need; every dollar will go towards reinstating some foods that were “cut” and increasing the quantities offered. The donation will help it respond to today’s urgent and increasing food insecurity and very tough year ahead.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.

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.

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.

100 Women Who Care Guelph Exceeds $500,000 in Donations

As 100 Women Who Care Guelph completes their 10^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

100 Women Who Care Guelph Gets Behind Child/Youth Mental Health Program

One day after World Mental Health Day, 100 Women Who Care Guelph answered the call by choosing to support our youngest citizens through CMHA Waterloo Wellington’s “Brief Service for Children, Youth, and their Families” program.

Mental health issues often have their roots in early childhood, when our childen have not yet instilled healthy coping strategies to deal with the despair, hardship, or crisis they are facing. Without guidance or support, they often turn to eating disorders, drug addiction, or alchol instead.

Since November of 2019 (pre-pandemic), there have been the largest increases ever recorded in every indicator across the public health stream for children, including mental health. Our children are suffering.

With a wait time of a year for ongoing care, our local CMHA saw a need for an early intervention program. They created and successfully piloted Brief Service. This program offers children and youth with mental health difficulties from 0 to 18 years of age, along with their parents/caregivers, weekly one to one counselling sessions for a maximum of 10 weeks, addressing immediate needs with the aim of developing goals and a treatment plan together.

As a result, 70% of the children involved in Brief Service require no further care at all, reducing the wait time for ongoing care from a year down to three months.

Early intervention works.

The struggle to regain control of your life as an adult is a difficult and arduous task. How much better would it be to never go down that road in the first place?

With that thought in mind, 100WWCG chose to support CMHA WW’s early intervention model by investing their recent donation in our children’s mental health.

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to join 100WWCG and help support those in need in our community.

Community of Hearts Selected by 100 Women + 100 Men at Joint Meeting

At the special event joint meeting held between 100 Women Who Care Guelph and 100+ Men Who Give a Damn, Community of Hearts Lifelong Learning Centre was chosen to be the recipient of their combined donation, estimated to be near $25,000.

Community of Hearts, located downtown in the Quebec Street Mall, serves Guelph citizens aged 16 and older who are living with developmental disabilities. Through their Learning Day Programs, their goal is to support youth, adults, and seniors with developmental exceptionalities to achieve the level of independence they desire.

These programs cover a wide range of subjects, including nutritious and safe meal preparation, household chores, arts and creative expression, and health and fitness. These unique and innovative programs help to reduce social isolation, while giving the participants the necessary skills to become empowered, contributing members of society.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of an accessible washroom, these opportunites are not available to all Guelph residents who would benefit from these programs.

With the aid of a local contractor who has agreed to build the washroom at cost – yet another local hero in our caring and generous city – the donation from the members of 100WWCG and 100MWGAD will go a long way to seeing that project become a reality.

Together, these two grassroots fundraising organizations have raised over $675,000, with 55 Guelph charities having benefited over the past nine years. As stated by Mike Brookbank, 100+MWGAD Founding Member, “The breadth and scope of our local charities here in Guelph and Wellington County reach into many corners of our wonderful community, helping and providing a bedrock of support to our friends, colleagues and neighbours. We are grateful for their dedication and happy to be part of the cycle of care. We hope our collective $100 cheques help move the needle for those that need it.”

Visit www.100womenwhocareguelph.com and www.100menguelph.com for more information or to become a member and help support those in need in our community.