Chapter News

Suzanne Tilley, Treasurer

Why I became a member of the 100+ Women Northumberland

As a fatherless child growing up in poverty there were not many supports for my mother who was left to raise 8 children alone.  Growing up with the stigmatization of being poor and being raised in row housing, I personally know the importance of the local non-profits and how far they need to stretch their budget to assist families like mine.

I remember the Food Baskets and Christmas Presents that we received along the way from the local Food Bank and the army of woman it took putting those baskets together. Times have changed since the 1970’s yet we still have so many areas of our community underfinanced and underserved. Seeing the agencies and non-profits no matter what sector they are supporting gives me great pride that while I don’t have a ton of money financially, I can still provide my time and some financial support.

As a local business owner and Mom of two kids now moving into university and their careers, I still have that yearning to “pay it forward”.   I still need to teach my children the values of community support and volunteering. We only have one opportunity to leave a legacy. Mine will be to lead by example.  

Lastly, I get to partner with some amazing women in Northumberland County and the surrounding areas.  Truly, the honour is mine.

 

Suzanne Tilley

#membermonday #thepowerof100 #womensphilanthropy

Nicole Beatty, Founder & Committee Chair 

“Community is at the heart of everything I do. I believe it takes all of us to build a village where we can all see ourselves, where we can support one another, and where we can invest in charitable organizations doing good work to change lives. This is why I started 100 Women Who Care Northumberland five years ago.

To bring together diverse women to connect, learn, and give back. I experienced the impact of the 100 People Who Care movement when I lived in Melbourne. In moving back to the place that raised me I knew I wanted to ignite a philanthropic spark that would transform how we give: collectively, together.

Today, we now have four giving chapters, including 100 Guys Northumberland, 100 Women Brighton and 100 Kids Northumberland. Our women’s group has donated over $110,000 to twenty charities with approximately 120 members each year.

This community of donors – of giving, gracious hearts – that we’re cultivating is truly one of my favourite things. I’m proud to be amongst 100 Women Who Care living in Northumberland.”

-Nicole Beatty, Founder, 100 Women Who Care Northumberland

#membermonday #thepowerof100 #womensphilanthropy

Received $5,700 in September 2020.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Received $5,400 in June 2020.

THANK YOU STATEMENT FROM GREEN WOOD COALITION

Green Wood Coalition greatly appreciates the timely and generous donation of $5,400.00 by 100+ Women with Heart. This kind of support from the community where we do our work is essential to our operations, and we recognize that the donation represents many caring individuals.

As Nicole Whitmore, our Community Outreach Lead, explained at the recent 100+ Women with Heart meeting, Green Wood is a street-level, charitable organization that walks alongside people struggling with homelessness, mental health and substance dependency. By offering a place of belonging and a listening ear, we seek to build intentional relationships and a culture of trust that leads to stability and healing for individuals and the wider community.

The funding provided by 100+ Women with Heart will support our emerging Peer Support Worker program with training and staff hours. Peer Support provides emotional and practical support between people who share common, livid experience. Its transformative impact comes from its power to inspire hope as those being supported see in the people supporting them that recovery is possible.

“It’s about bringing your life experience to walk alongside people, being respectful, listening and seeing the whole person without labels like ‘homeless’ or ‘mental illness,’” says David Sheffield, Green Wood’s Executive Director. “When our Peer Support Workers see someone who is homeless, we’re concerned about finding a room over their head but also about health, about food, about all of their needs as a human being.”

Green Wood Coalition’s current focus is aimed at recovering and rebuilding informal community supports for low-income individuals who have experienced isolation, loneliness and disconnection through the COVID-19 disruption. Many have seen their mental health and substance dependency worsen and these will continue to be major concerns through the pandemic period and beyond as recovery from these setbacks is expected to be slow.

This gift by 100+ Women with Heart allows Green Wood to equip, employ and empower Peer Support Workers to make a life-changing difference in people’s lives at the street level in Cobourg and Port Hope.