Greetings~
Many of you have been asking for updates on our life adventures now that we are here and settled in Calgary. so am sending out a newsletter of sorts to share what changes have been taking place.
There have been many changes in the past couple of years, and it has been a bit of a challenge keeping up with them. Now that the summer is here, it is slowing down a bit. So will start with the girls and news of them!
Jennifer is now officially a highschool student...she had her graduation ceremony and which was held on June 8th. Finally after all these years, we got her in a dress!!!! For those of you who know us, know that was a major challenge to accomplish!
Jennfier has been accepted into a Culinary Arts program for her highschool. This may also include some apprenticeship, but will definitely be leading her into her Cooking Career for her future! She has talked about having her own coffee shop and small cafe someday!
Jennifer will begin working this summer at the nearby restaurant which we tend to be frequent visitors to...the owner has sort of taken her under her wing and will be training her on the behind the scenes ...this is a pretty sweet deal for a fifteen year old to begin so early working on her career goals!
Jennifer had a wonderful graduation ceremony and enjoyed her evening of partying later with friends that she has been involved with through a church group for the past year! This was a great way to celebrate getting through a long and somewhat difficult year ...there is definitely a light at the end of her tunnel now!
I have seen tremendous growth , struggles, overcoming challenges, and moving forward into a woman for her personal development. Defintely not an easy journey at the best of times for anyone!
Now onto Caitlin, who has blossomed into a young lady and matured much quicker that I am ready for...
Caitlin who will be seventeen in September, has been doing well at school and participated in two dance performances through her school program that she was involved in. Through this she met her boyfriend, Clayton. They have been together for several months now. Clayton is a delightful young man, who really watches out for Caitlin and has been a joy to have around our home.
Caitlin has one more year of highschool, and then she has chosen to go to college here in Calgary for Journalism and Communications. Caitlin has really been developing her writing skills and has gained many new techniques in her writing style. She spends a great deal of time recently on the computer and doing research for her studies ...a great learning tool for her future.
Caitlin is going to be doing some traveling to British Columbia again this summer with her friend Ashley from school. They went there last summer and had a great time.
I am still working at the Calgary Drop In Centre. The website for my work is:
http://www.cdics.com/ .....I have been there almost two years now, huge change from the contract jobs that I used to take on with traveling. This has been a great place to work, and I have learned a great deal of both myself, and how far I have come in my journey of life. I enjoy giving back to those that are still working on over coming challenges. I have been able to carry forth with my Personal Development Education and enhancing my life skills as well, working at the Drop In Centre.
I am now working days, after almost two years of nighshifts. It is a good change, that works much better for the girls. I am enjoying working with my new co-workers and find it much easier to do more of my community development work with the clients. My first couple of weeks, I was able to spend time with clients developing resumes and assisting them with job searches. I enjoy working at assisting clients who are working on making positive changes in their lives and moving forward to help themselves.
As you know it is often one step forward and three steps backwards. and yet I find that many of our clients still keep plugging away at making changes and trying to better themselves. I find it is important to really acknowledge the small steps that they make. I really notice how many clients really appreciate this gesture more so on the dayshift, as there is more time to do follow up work with them. I have felt this is an important step as many of the clients who I work with, are past clients of mine from my previous job, so there has been some continuity. I see many clients who will come and seek me out where I work now, just to check in with me and share updates. I enjoy this aspect of my work.
After having Calgary as my home base now for six years, I feel settled and have a sense of community here. I have continue with my volunteer work through my women's outreach community and have had many opportunities to do some special assignments with them. This has been a blessing in my life, and continues to be an outreach ministry that I want to continue to create and explore the many paths that it takes me .
Our outreach community has grown over the past few years, especially since I have established a home base in Western Canada. With my travels through the USA, and Canada , we have been able to expand our network and create an amazing community together. There has been many changes and much growth with our network ...so much so that we have decided to create a quarterly newsletter which will be published each season. The first one will come out in August.
One major change that has taken place, is that I will not be traveling as much or as far in the next year. Since I work days now at my full time work, this does not allow me time to be away from home base as much as in previous years.
Though we took a break from this ministry to redevelop our network, and create new programs, we are now ready to start up again. In a few months with our "Women on a Shoestring Program." We are looking at beginning again in the fall season with a new collective kitchen and community garden program. We are exploring ideas on having an container garden program which will provide women with fresh herbs and vegetables so that they can create opportunites for themselves and develop homebased businesses. There are also women who would like to start creative crafts projects with sewing,beading, quiltng. If you have any supplies that you would be willing to donate, please let me know. We are in need of some sewing machines and a place to work. We are busy networking to gather some sewing machines for women.
Our ultimate goal is to create a collective of women who work internationally and form local co-ops to assist women to have home based businesses. Our goal is to have a core group who will meet and create an international organization for low income women.
As many of you are well aware, I like to keep busy, creative and productive. Fortunately for me, both my job and my volunteer work, help me to explore my creative and adventurous side in all areas that keep me on my toes.
We would love to hear from you and know of your updates and life adventures. Email us when you get a chance, and share news of your family, and community.
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