2003 was another year of
financial stability and expansion of services for the YWCA of Edmonton. With annual revenues over three million, the
YWCA provided services to over 6,000 people.
The department summaries provided in the Annual Report demonstrate our
continued commitment to expand programs and speak on issues of importance to
women. In particular, Family Support
Services saw a significant increase in the number of clients accessing service. Our Counselling Centre began to extend its
reach further into the community by strengthening existing partnerships and
looking for new partnerships. YoWoChAs
Outdoor Education Centre continued to provide outdoor education and summer camp
experiences for children as well as the new adult Adventure Challenge program
for business and organizations.
Newer areas of work in 2003
included social action awareness activities, planning for an international
project with the Guyana YWCA, and the completion of two research pieces on
seniors housing in Edmonton. In addition,
the Board and staff worked together to consolidate a fund development plan for
diversifying the current revenue sources for the agency.
In addition to the initiatives
mentioned, we continued to support the National YWCA movement with active
participation on:
- National steering committee responsible for
organizing the national Annual Members Meeting.
- Subcommittee responsible for organizing the
National recognition event in Quebec City.
- National Youth Engagement Task Force.
- Advisory Committee for the national Shelter
Project.
Special events continued to be the
primary method of fundraising and raising our profile in 2003:
- YWCA Tribute to Women of Distinction Awards gala
recognized the achievements of 63 women in Edmonton and area.
- In the Unique Lives Speaker Series reception
Jann Arden inspired and entertained.
- The YWCA One Woman One Vote initiative hosted a
November roundtable event at which women who are interested in public
office could interact with women who have been elected.
The YWCA of Edmonton has the
ability to provide services due to the exemplary efforts and commitment of
staff and volunteers coupled with the generosity of individual donors, funding
agencies, and event attendees. With
this level of community support, the YWCA of Edmonton will continue to speak on
issues of importance to women and to assist individual women in achieving their
potential in body, mind, and spirit.
Lina Cosentino Kelly
Sloan
President, Board of Directors Executive
Director
2003-2004
Board of Directors
President - Lina
Cosentino Vice President -
Barb Gordon
Treasurer - Donna
Wickins Recorder - Brandy
Luedemann
Past
President - Doreen Mueller
Directors – Marnie
Beaudoin, Kerry Diedrich, Karen Fantin, Leah Fitzgerald*, Kathie Gavin, Peggy
Gilchrist, Karen Jensen*, Bauni Mackay, Debbie Theuss
*resigned prior to
completion of term
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to
provide you with a brief overview of the financial results of the YWCA for the
year ending December 31, 2003 as reported in the annual audited financial
statements.
Auditors’
Report
The auditors’ report as submitted by
our auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers contains an unqualified opinion on the
2003 financial statements of the YWCA.
In other words, after conducting their audit of our financial
statements, they conclude that, in their opinion, the financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Association as at December 31, 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles.
Statement
of Financial Position (or “Balance Sheet”)
Total assets of the Association as at
December 31, 2003 were $2,186,000. This
represents an increase of $64,000 or 3% from the previous year-end. Some of the items that have contributed to
this increase include:
·
Marketable securities, which consist of bank term
deposits and our investment portfolio, have decreased by $213,000.
·
Cash holdings have decreased by $41,000.
·
The total cost of property and equipment has increased
by $306,000. The significant addition
during the year was the completion of a major renovation at YoWoChAs Centre,
which was partially funded by a grant from the Community Facility Enhancement
Program.
Total liabilities of the Association as at December 31, 2003 have increased $11,000 to $805,000.
Statement
of Operations (or “Income Statement”)
Net revenue in excess of expenditures
(or “profit”) for the year was $53,000 compared to $14,000 for the previous
year.
Total revenue for the Association for
the year ended December 31, 2003 was $3,530,000. The corresponding amount for 2002 was $2,993,000.
Compared to the previous year total
revenue for 2003 has increased by $537,000 or 18%. Some of the notable changes in revenue from the prior year
include the following:
·
Fees for service were up $245,000 or 13%. The Intensive Support Program revenues were
down $41,000 from 2003, however Adult services revenue increased $238,000 due
to increase in the number of clients and client hours. In addition, the YoWoChAs Outdoor Education
Centre revenue increased $51,000 due to a fee increase for summer camp, and
additional groups attending.
·
Government Contracts, Grants and
Subsidies increased
$269,000 to $621,000. This increase
included a new contract of $175,000 for the Adult Services Program for Persons
with Developmental Disabilities. Host
Family Program fees increased $22,000, and the Status of Women Canada grant for
2003 was $32,000 greater than for 2002.
·
Similar to other not-for-profit organizations, the
Association faces the challenge of generating revenue through Fund-raising
activities. Fund raising revenues
declined by $15,000 to $79,000 for the year.
The main sources of revenue for 2003 for the Association in this area
was $76,000 from the Tribute to Women of Distinction Awards Gala (including
ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and the silent auction).
On the expenditures side, the total for
the year was $3,487,000. Compared to
the previous year total expenditures for 2003 have increased by $495,000 or
17%. Significant changes from the prior
year include:
·
Purchased (contract) services were up
$284,000 or 38%. This increase
corresponds with higher fees for service provided in the Adult Services Program
for Persons with Developmental Disabilities as well as for Children’s Programs
as more hours of service were provided.
·
Salaries, wages and employee benefits were higher
by $138,000 from the prior year, which is consistent with the increase in
revenues from fees for Adult services for Persons with Developmental
Disabilities and Children’s Programs.
Included in Other Income was $105,000 received as a donation from the
bequest; the corresponding amount for 2002 was $108,000.
In August, the YoWoChAs camp building
and equipment suffered damages of approximately $68,000 due to a severe weather
storm. The damage costs are covered by
insurance and are not reflected in the operating statement for the
Association.
Summary
In summary, the YWCA continues to have
a healthy financial position, as we strive to meet the needs of the community
by building on our strong core programs and expanding the ways we support women
and their families in our ever-changing environment.
Donna Wickins
Treasurer, Board of Directors
The YWCA
Counselling Centre provides a multi faceted approach in working with
individuals, couples, and families to help them to clarify issues and explore
ways of moving forward in their lives. The therapist acts as a supporting guide
for the clients. Our various groups offer additional support, encouragement,
and information that will assist individuals in gaining personal insight,
self-esteem, and empowerment.
In 2003, YWCA counselors saw a total of 358 individuals.
There were 285 assessment interviews and 1,587 counselling sessions provided.
Seventeen advocacy and twenty-four support calls were also provided for
clients. In the Three-Phase support group for women recovering from the effects
of abuse, 25 women completed Phase One, twelve completed Phase Two
and three completed Phase Three. Thirty-three
youth and eighteen adults completed the Silent Witness – Ending the Cycle of
Abuse program to assist moms and their children heal from abuse. Four
adults participated in the Many Faces of Loss support group for adults
who experienced a death loss. Twelve youth and five adults completed the Time
to Talk Program designed to help youth develop healthy grief coping skills.
Twenty -nine children participated in the RAINBOWS and nineteen parents
in the PRISM programs to work through issues regarding parental divorce.
Four women used movement therapy as a way to explore depression in the Looking
Back and Moving Forward group. The partnership contract with Lurana Shelter
continued, providing onsite counselling to meet the unique needs of their
clientele and providing support for staff. Three new volunteers completed the
training for the Elder Abuse Peer Support program. Eight volunteers with the program provide
support for six seniors in 2003 and participated in public awareness displays.
As in past years,
providing support and education to other community groups and agencies was
another way that we fulfilled our mission.
A four-session workshop on family violence was provided to women through
the Boyle McCauley Health Centre. A presentation on grief was held in
conjunction with a local church. A workshop on boundaries was presented to the
Northeast Homecare volunteers. Presentations specific to elder abuse were
provided for six community groups.
The Client
Satisfaction Survey conducted in the summer of 2003 indicated that ninety-two
percent of those surveyed agreed that the services they received met their
expectations. The majority (ninety-seven percent) of clients felt the services
they received were very beneficial to them. Eighty-nine percent of clients
reported that they received the kind of help that they really needed. One
client comment was “It was absolutely the
best thing in my life. I would not have this positive look at life if it wasn’t
for the YWCA.” Overall, clients
felt that the YWCA Counselling Services program had been successful in helping
them learn how to deal with their problems.
Through written evaluations and post group interviews
women who participated in
§
Phase One indicated that they gained knowledge regarding abuse
and the impact on themselves and their children; on safety planning; on
boundaries and their importance; power dynamics within relationships; and what
healthy relationships look like – “Feel good about life,” “taking better
care of myself,” “looking at future verses past- set boundaries and don’t
question myself.”
·
Phase Two
indicated that they gained an understanding of how change occurs; concepts of
self- care; emotional and environmental blocks to change; and the importance of
attending to personal needs, wants and strengths - “I learned al lot about me and understand better why I do the
things I do.”
·
Phase Three gained knowledge of the impact of anger on
themselves and others; skills in anger management; and effective non-violent
conflict resolution – “ I feel that I learned new ways of coping with and
controlling anger.” “ I learned to do successful conflict resolution and how to
say no without as much guilt.”
The
children/youth participating in the Silent Witness program were able to
articulate that abuse of any form is not OK and ways to assist in protecting
themselves. The parents indicated that they gained a better understanding of
the effects on children of growing up in an abusive environment and the impact
of their parenting on children’s behaviour.
The
youth/children who participated in the Time To Talk program indicated
that they felt safe to share their grief experience with others. The parents
indicated that their children were coping better with their grief and that as
parents they understood how to best help their child.
Working in
partnership with other community organizations to address issues impacting our
community continues to be a major focus of our services. In 2003 we were
actively involved on the Bereavement Interagency, Elder Abuse Consultation
Committee, Interagency Committee on Spousal Assault of Women, Children Impacted
By Family Violence Committee various committees within and Community
Initiatives Against Family Violence.
On a national
scale we were involved in local activities relating to the Week Without
Violence and we were a member of the Steering Committee for a National Shelter
Research Project. This national project will look at the development of best
practice guidelines for YWCAs across the country working on family violence
initiatives.
Without the
ongoing support of our various funders we would not be able to offer our
services at substantially reduced fees to those who need financial
support. We wish to acknowledge the
support provided in 2003 by The United Way, Alberta Capital Region; City of
Edmonton Community Support Services; Employees Charitable Donations Fund at the
Royal Alexander Hospital; Soroptomist International; On Our Own Alumni Group,
and Edmonton Community Lottery Board.
The bywords for
Family Support Services in 2003 were growth, growth, and more growth. Services
expanded both in quantity and in scope, new positions were created, and more
space was occupied. Ensuring that these changes were managed with efficiency
and as little disruption to services as possible was a challenge for the whole
department as well as for Administration staff, but it was a welcome challenge.
The Adult Services Program was in very high demand, with requests for service coming in from both from Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) and from families who had heard that the YWCA was an excellent service provider. In order to ensure our ability to maintain a stable infrastructure to meet these demands, Adult Services entered into an Administration Contract with PDD. This contract enabled us to maintain consistent coordination and resources despite fluctuating caseloads. Adult Services was able to accommodate 45 clients by the end of 2003; seven times the number served at the beginning of 2002! The program delivered over 15,000 hours of service to clients living in their family home. In addition, the Support home model, in which clients live full-time in the homes of families other than their own, grew from providing 270 days of service to 9 individuals in January 2002, to providing 330 days of service to 11 individuals in September, to providing 390 days of service to 13 clients in December. In all, Adult services provided 2,920 days service in 2003, plus another 354.7 days of Host Family services. An additional Program Coordinator position was added in May 2003, and the program space expanded to occupy the office used by the Volunteer Coordinator, who moved to a new space in the Counselling / Administration area. As demand for service remains high, further changes are expected in 2004.
Our effective partnerships with Services to Children with Disabilities (SCD) and Child Welfare also resulted in new opportunities in the Children’s Services programs. In September of 2003, the YWCA was one of four agencies invited to pilot a new behavioral intervention resource program called the Family Consultation and Training Network. Our role was to provide a behavioral specialist position which would serve the entire Edmonton area, with two other organizations serving the St. Albert and Sherwood Park areas. The structure of this program was a collaborative effort between SCD and the agencies involved, and that effort resulted in a permanent funding commitment to the program after the pilot period. The new position created meant an increase to the space and resources required by Children’s Services, requiring yet more furniture shifting, but it significantly expands the role the YWCA can play in serving families dealing with disabilities.
Region Six Child Welfare has also presented us with opportunities that both challenged and enhanced our service capabilities. In early 2003, we were asked to provide Extended Host Family supports to two very medically fragile children. One infant had spent all but four of her sixteen months of life in the U of A Hospital due to the complications of a severe immune deficiency, and the other was in serious kidney failure and awaiting a transplant. The logistics of supporting these children in the community were daunting, given the amount of medical care and in-home equipment each required, but both were successfully placed in YWCA contracted homes and both children are thriving. The Extended Host Family program delivered 4,530 days of service to children in 2003.
Edmonton Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) followed up their grant for the development of a Logic Model of Outcome Measurement, received in 2002, with funding for a part-time Outcome Measurement Coordinator position responsible for conducting and analyzing the Outcome Survey tools. (Yes, we moved some more.) Having this position allows us to ensure that we can consistently monitor and respond to issues of service excellence and client satisfaction. We received an additional grant which allows us to partner with counseling services in commissioning the development of new software for tracking outcomes.
The Host Family Program ended the year right on target for service usage requirements (1320 days). This program is perennially popular with families, and as some of the children served reached adulthood this year there was no problem in finding new families in need of service.
The In-Home Program continued to struggle, delivering 12,590 hours of service, which is below the funder’s expectation of 15-18000 hours per year. Although the waiting list was cleared and new intakes and staff hires completed through the course of the year, unused service capacity remained. This program, as well as the Intensive Support Program (ISP), continued to face increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff due to the widening gap in the wages funded by SCD and PDD.
The ISP program delivered 18,225 hours of service, a decrease of almost 4,000 hours from last year. It is anticipated that the new Family Consultation and Training Network Program will increase program usage in 2004. The program also provided 287 days of Host Family Service to ISP clients.
Overall, FSS programs delivered 45,818 hours of in-home services and almost 1800 days of host family supports, in addition to the Extended Host / Support Home services.
We expect that our reputation for service excellence and our expanding partnerships with funders will bring us new opportunities for service in 2004, which we will meet in the context of our strategic goal of “Women and their families are supported through collaborative efforts in the community.“
Special thanks and acknowledgement of the agencies and
organizations who continue to financially support the YWCA of Edmonton’s Family
Support Services – City of Edmonton, Family and Community Support Services; and
the Province of Alberta, Services to Children with Disabilities, Child Welfare,
and Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
ROOM
FOR A MIRACLE
Although no one was aware of it at
the time, a chain of miracles began on December 9, 2001. On that day, a baby
girl named Nikita was born in the Slave Lake Hospital. She had severe immune
deficiency disorder, and she spent only the first few months of her life at home
with her family. At the age of four months, she was admitted to the University
of Alberta Stollery Children’s Center, where little hope was held out for her
survival.
In hospital, things went from bad
to worse to the very worst. Nikita suffered a stroke, required a ventilator to
breathe and a stomach tube for feeding, and developed a chronic lung disorder.
Her family travelled to Edmonton at least once a week to see her, and the news
was never good. On several occasions Nikita’s mom was told that the ventilator
should be turned off … that this time there was no hope Nikita would survive
the crisis.
One terrible day, the nurses put
Nikita in her mother’s arms and left the two of them alone for a few last
moments together before Nikita passed away. Nikita, however, had no intention
of going anywhere. Her mom returned to the nursing station an hour later,
saying the baby seemed to be doing better! She was indeed rallying, and she
went back to her crib victorious again.
Despite the occasional high points,
the outlook continued to be grim. Nikita, the doctors said, would never walk,
would never be able to breathe on her own, would never eat normally. But Nikita
slept on a blanket of faith, literally. In her crib was a blanket that her
family, friends, and medical staff had all held and said prayers and good
wishes over. Her family never let the blanket be taken out of her crib, and
they never gave up hope. Nikita just never gave up at all.
In early May of 2003, FSS received
a call from the social worker on Nikita’s ward. Her doctors had decided that
after more than a year in hospital Nikita was stabilizing and could possibly be
discharged. The requirement for discharge was that the YWCA would need to find
an Extended Host Family in Edmonton that could meet her complex medical support
needs until she could leave the vicinity of the U of A and return home. All we
had to do was find someone who had medical expertise, was willing to have Home
Care staff in their home all night every night, didn’t mind having their house
rewired to accommodate a ventilator and suction equipment, didn’t mind taking
the baby to the hospital every few days for a check up…….and, oh yes, would
ideally be able to accommodate having Nikita’s family for weekend visits. We
were pretty sure we could do all of that….as long as we got a miracle.
Miracles are evidently Nikita’s
specialty. In October she left the hospital to live with a registered nurse
whose heart and home were big enough to hold both the baby and her family.
Today Nikita is able to sit up, stand and bear her own weight in a baby walker,
breathe on her own for up to four hours, and is gaining weight steadily. She is
able to eat soft foods now, and there are plans to have her enrolled in an
early childhood intervention program in fall of 2004. Her fighting spirit and
courage are still very much in evidence. If she feels she is not getting the
undivided attention she so richly deserves, she will pull out her breathing
tube and sit there grinning… she knows somebody is going to have to pay
attention now!
For FSS Children’s Services staff,
one of the all-time highlights of 2003 was finding room for a miracle.
The
YWCA continued to grow in 2003. A new
position, Manager, Fund Development/Communications was filled by the hiring of
Jeannette Guertin.
The
department has been active throughout the year with several special events and
the launch of two new websites: www.ywcaofedmonton.org,
www.onewomenonevote.org. In 2003,
$39,285 was raised through fundraising events and donations.
The
Unique Lives & Experiences speaker series, held at the Winspear
Centre in March, featured Albertan singer/songwriter Jann Arden. Ms Arden entertained the audience with
personal stories delivered with humour and wit. VIP guests had the opportunity to meet Jann Arden in the
reception following her appearance. The
evening raised $2,703 on behalf of the YWCA.
This was the last in the speaker series as the production company
discontinued the event.
The
YWCA Tribute To Women of Distinction Awards Gala was held on June 19th,
at the Northlands AgriCom. The event
recognized the accomplishments of 63 outstanding women from the Greater
Edmonton area. Over 700 guests attended
the sold-out gala in support of the nominees.
Prior to the gala, nominees, nominators, sponsors, staff and the
volunteer Steering Committee had the opportunity to meet at the Crowne
Plaza-Chateau Lacombe Edmonton at the Nominees Reception. The Steering Committee included Donna
Zazuluk (Chair), Marlene Smith (Honorary Chair), Teena Giroux (Treasurer),
Audrey Bell-Hiller (Nominations), Brenda Burton Jones (Nominees’ Reception),
Linda Wilde (Selections), Carole Noland and Deb Newton (Silent Auction), Gisela
Hippolt-Squair and Susan O’Connor (Sponsorships), Catherine von Hohenbalken
(Print Coordinator), Lina Cosentino (YWCA Board Liaison), Polly Mah (YWCA
staff), and Jeannette Guertin (YWCA staff).
The
YWCA One Woman One Vote has successfully delivered as Phase IV of the
initiative planned for 2003/2004. The
Roundtable discussion held on November 13th, at the Telus Centre,
University of Alberta campus, included MLAs, former MLAs, Edmonton City
Councillors, and both Public and Catholic School Board Trustees. Attendees had the opportunity to sit with
three politicians and table participants for discussions on a variety of topics
including, financing a campaign, working with the media and balancing family and
public life. Phase IV also included the
YWCA Women’s Political Action Forum in February 2004.
The work of the Fund Development/Communications Department continues in 2004 with updates of printed materials to distribute information about the new programs and services, bi-annual newsletters, increased advertising/presence in the community and a new campership fundraising campaign “Paper Canoes.” Edmontonians will be invited to purchase a Paper Canoe for $1, write their name on it and have it displayed in one of several participating corporate partners businesses.
In 2003, volunteers for YWCA Edmonton were an invaluable
resource for their experience, expertise, boundless support and commitment.
Without their dedication, the agency programs and events could not function at
their potential. The contribution of volunteers towards the fulfillment of our
mission and mandate through their time and efforts was recognized at the Annual General Meeting.
On
April 23, 2003, special volunteers, staff members and host family providers
were honored by YWCA Edmonton and the Board of Directors. The President’s Service Awards were given to the following: Judy Housden, Head Cook at YoWoChAs
Outdoor Education Centre, was recognized for fifteen years of service. June
Lefebvre, a ten-year recipient,
started as a Host Family Service provider, then to Booking Coordinator, and is
now the Host Family Coordinator for Family Support Services. Gale Lemieux, also a ten-year recipient, was an In-Home
worker, Intensive Support Program worker, Host Family Service provider, Booking
Coordinator, Extended Host Family Coordinator and is currently the In-Home
Program Coordinator for Family Support Services. All are integral staff
members. The final ten-year
recipient was Denayeshwarie (Juliette)
Persaud who began as an Extended Host Family provider and Host Family
service provider and is presently a Contract Host Family provider.
Lina Cosentino, President of the Board
of Directors, presented awards to the following five to nine year recipients: Sacha
Aldrich, Kay Bains, Rita Duff, Dan Gerein, Sher Hiller, Gregg Janz, Madeline
Klein, Susan Logan, Donna McCarthy, Mary Oliver, Marjorie Scott, Kelly Sloan,
Beverly Solomon, Candace Triolaire, Bev Werely, Chris Wick, and Betty Wispinski.
Polly Mah, Volunteer Services Manager, presented the Volunteer Recognition
certificates.
The 2003 volunteer statistics were
compiled by Polly Mah, Volunteer Services Manager (on maternity leave since
June 2003), and interim replacement, Leslie Struck, Volunteer and Special
Events Coordinator. A total of 284
active volunteers contributed their time for Board and committee work,
counselling programs and family support assistance, special events, and
knitting/crocheting for less fortunate Edmontonians. Contribution of volunteer
hours were as follows:
·
Board and committee work: 32
members contributed 1745 hours
·
Family Support Services,
Counselling Services, and Elder Abuse Services: 32 members contributed 1110.85
hours
·
Y-Knit Program: 92 members
contributed 33,272 hours.
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR
2003: 36,127.85 HOURS
Our
sincere thanks to all YWCA Edmonton volunteers!
A SOURCE OF PRIDE – THE Y-KNIT PROGRAM
Much
of the success of the YWCA programs is based on volunteerism, and one of the
most successful and rewarding is the Y-Knit Program. As the interim Volunteer
Services Coordinator, I, Leslie Struck, haven’t been with the YWCA very long –
just over ten months to be exact. However, it only took me a few weeks to
appreciate how lucky the YWCA, the community and I have been to be connected to
our amazing Y-Knit ladies!
Here
I sit in my office, a place that I have happily labeled the Yarn Barn. Why, you ask? Simple answer –
The space serves, in large part, as a drop-off depot for donated yarn from
countless, thoughtful citizens who have responded to our request. Needless to
say, the response has been overwhelming. It may not be aesthetically pleasing
as you walk in, but, strangely, it does make me feel good to see a tangible
example of peoples’ generosity – bags and bags of generosity! From the vast
array of wool, the Y-Knit ladies come in, make their choices, and then begin
their knitting and crocheting frenzy. I think their motto could be “Y-Knit? –
Y-not.”
Almost
daily, I have the opportunity to speak to one member – by phone or in person.
They have knitting to bring in, they need more wool, they know of another
agency in need of knitted items, or they simply want to help and pickup
knitwear from members who are unable to deliver on their own. Organization is a
huge factor, and the program is lucky to have the support and guidance of a
dedicated committee: Rita Calhoun, Marilyn Rhodes, Kathy Strang and Della
Kubbernus. These four ladies come in to the YWCA on a regular basis to count,
sort, and distribute all the items throughout the agency network.
At
a recent Volunteer Appreciation Event, I observed the parade of ladies, in awe
of what they brought with them. Each attendee carried not only a bag containing
the fruits of their quiet labor, but also, I sensed that each carried in with
them an apparent enthusiasm and tireless commitment. I should note that they
don’t bring one or two pieces each, but perhaps a dozen or two: beautiful
blankets, afghans, baby sweaters, baby hats, toques, mitts, scarves, sweaters,
and squares. You can’t fully appreciate what they do until you see a room FULL
of their handiwork.
Even
more astounding is the 22,500 volunteer hours these talented women have
contributed to the YWCA this year alone. Clearly, they don’t offer their
talents for recognition or monetary gain. Their success is measured through
inner satisfaction as a result of knowing that their volunteer work has given
warmth and caring to those in the community who would otherwise be without
these necessities during the winter months. From May to December 2003, the Y-knit
ladies knitted and crocheted 1300 pieces; the Y-knit committee has distributed
over 1600 items to hospitals, shelters, missions and extended care facilities.
These are amazing statistics from any viewpoint, so you can imagine how
impressive the numbers are from the perspective of a truly sewing and knitting
“challenged” person!
After
sixteen years, the cycle seems endless. So many of them have busy lives, jobs
and families – where do they find the time and energy? I believe it comes from
the best source, and that is their hearts. Those who make yarn donations often
ask how it will be put to use, and many do not know about the program and its
144 members. I’m delighted to tell people all about the program and the outside
agencies that benefit from their gracious efforts. The Y-Knitters will
continue, largely unheralded and without fanfare. The recipients (men, women,
children and infants) will never meet these kind and generous women, but are
undoubtedly grateful for the presence of the Y-Knit Program in their lives and
in their community.
