Recognition of JLC Programs and Partners

The Junior League of Calgary's programs and seasonal projects conducted during the 2011-12 program year delivered over 2,700 volunteer hours, impacted over 3,500 youth and supported over 100 families. We were pleased to have many of our community partners join us at the Annual Celebration Dinner on May 28.

JLC Community Partners at the 2011-12 Annual Celebration Dinner

The JLC's program Moms U Matter(MUM) with Highbanks Society - a residential agency that offers a safe home to 16 -24 year-old single mothers and their children while the moms complete high school or a post-secondary program and create a career path - targets the issues of food preparation, meal planning, healthy eating, kitchen safety and food budgeting. We implemented eight MUM sessions between September and May.  

One of the programs under the umbrella of the Children’s Cottage Society is Brenda’s House, a re-housing program with a sheltering component aimed at supporting families toward independence and their own sustainable housing.The Treasure Trunk program targets key issues of nutrition and healthy eating (Kids in the Kitchen), literacy (Kids in the Story), music and movement (Kids in Motion and Music), the arts (Kids in the Arts) and reading to babies (or Babies in the Story).  We implemented twelve sessions of Treasure Trunk between September and May and a training workshop for Children`s Cottage Society and Brenda`s House staff and volunteers

The Fall Provisional Class members implemented our ninth year of Teen Totes providing bags for 350 Calgary teens. The bags were distributed in December through The Alex Youth Health Centre and Calgary Community Resource Centres. 

The Winter Provisional Class members learned about the JLC by implementing the seventh annual Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) event.  With the assistance of Chef Will Kwong and JLC dancers, Dr. Emily Roback and Natalie Wynn-Dempsey KITK inspired children to make healthy food choices and active lifestyle decisions.  The KITK program and tote bags were delivered to 190 grade 3-6 students at Rundle School on May 1.

In March, the JLC participated in Safety Expo demonstrating our kitchen safety booth to over 3,000 grade 4-7 students at this two-day event.

In May, we conducted a Done In A Day (DIAD) for The Alex Youth Health Centre to meet needs of their clients.  Hygiene items, basic clothing items such as socks, undergarments and belts, transit passes and gift cards for food and groceries were donated. 

Moms U Matter (MUM) Program at Highbanks Society

On March 22 the Junior League led another successful Moms U Matter session. The Moms were taught how to make turkey and white bean soup, sweet corn muffins and light, decadent brownies. Donna and Deb showed the moms how to think ahead and make sure there are planned leftovers after each meal. They also reviewed the nutritional value of leafy greens and we introduced the Moms to kale, a new vegetable that many of them had never heard of before. We also taught the Moms baking tips such as how to separate eggs and substitute healthy ingredients in a lower calorie dessert.

There were six Moms in attendance and many volunteers, including Kristin Briard, Erin Ferguson, Donna Fan, Julianne Lorehn, Melissa MacRae, Marie Starich and Deb Vanderberg. Thank you to Julianne for baking the delicious sweet corn muffins. The Moms were very happy to receive 

new mini muffin tins and pot scrubbers as their participation gift. Overall it was an excellent community event thanks to our appreciative participants and the efforts of our excellent volunteers. Great work everyone!

The two remaining MUM sessions scheduled for this program year will continue to be delivered at the newly remodelled kitchen at Highbanks Society.

Moms U Matter (MUM) Program at HIghbanks Society

The Junior League of Calgary partners with Highbanks Society to implement a program to help young mothers learn about “Healthy and Active Living” through the practice of good nutrition and physical activity.  These moms live at Highbanks, which provides a safe, stable and affordable place for them to stay while they complete their educations and outline plans for their specific education, career and personal goals.

                                                                                                                                                                                  

The theme at the November session was “One Dish Meal.”  The moms made Spanish Chicken and Rice, Strawberry and Chevre Salad, and enjoyed the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares for dessert that Natalie Wynn-Dempsey had prebaked.  The meal was delicious and any leftovers were taken home by the moms.  We presented three main topics at this session:  “One Dish Meal”, “Why We Need Iron”, and “Eating Out Smarts.”  The gifts for this session were a glass storage container with lid plus a Safeway Gift card for use during the upcoming holidays.

Thank you to JLC members Lynne Christensen, Donna Fan, Dani Flowerday, Deb Vanderberg and Natalie Wynn-Dempsey for helping with this session.

The five future MUM sessions scheduled for this program year will continue to be delivered at the newly remodelled kitchen at Highbanks Society.

MOMS U Matter (MUM) Program at Highbanks Society - Premier Session

Beef Shish Kebobs on the BBQ - yummy!

MUM’s premier session, delivered on September 22, had the theme of Backyard BBQ and was complemented by sunshine and warm weather.  This was the first session held in the brand new kitchen at Highbanks Society and the kitchen layout worked out well for interacting with the moms.  We had five mom participants, four Highbanks Society volunteers and five JLC volunteers.  The 2 D’s (Donna Fan and Deb Vanderberg) ran the session and the third D, Dani Flowerday, helped to plan the menus and nutrition portions of the September, October and November sessions.

The menu for this first session included Beef Shish Kebobs served with Ancient Grains Rice, Greek Salad, Pita and Humus and Apple Crisp. Melanie Tewksbury, Cyndi Cox and Tammy Nazari volunteered for this session, with Cyndi and Tammy  baking  the Apple Crisp Desserts.   Menu adjustments were made for our new Vegetarian participant.

All the moms were given a MUM binder and Cook! by Dietitians of Canada.  All the returning residents were given copies of the day’s menu and the gifts for this session were BBQ tongs and “Fire Wire” skewers.

The seven future MUM sessions scheduled for this year will also be delivered at the newly remodelled kitchen at Highbanks Society.

2011-2012 Community Programs Off to a Great Start!

With MUM participants at the BBQ

Elaine enjoying the Kids in the Story
craft at Brenda's House

The JLC 2011-2012 program year has begun!  Through the MUM program at Highbanks Society, the Treasure Trunk program at Brenda’s House, Teen Totes, Safety Expo on March 20-21, 2012 and the Kids in the Kitchen initiative being delivered May 1, 2012 at Rundle School, we will continue to impact the Calgary community.  Our Future Program Planning Group will be exploring new directions in programming for the JLC.

Donna (L) and Tammy at the MUM program

Jessie, Velvet (back) and Nicole (R) in the kitchen during Treasure Trunk on September 28

Cyndi with tongs and Melanie

Making shish kebabs at the MUM program

Jessie helping at Kids in the Kitchen during the
Treasure Trunk program

Highbanks Society Holds Open House to Celebrate Renovation of Their Facility

L to R): Fran Genereux, Highbanks volunteer, Alice Gardner-Boreta 

and Marilou Mitchell at Highbanks Society Open House

To celebrate the completion of renovations to their facility, the Highbanks Society held an Open House and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on June 23.  JLC President Alice Gardner-Boreta and Community Co-VP Marilou Mitchell were honoured to be among the invited guests.

The Highbanks Bowview Apartment Addition and Renovation provides an additional 1600 sq. ft. of facility space to the existing 5023 sq. ft. building, and includes:

l one additional self-contained unit for a young mom and child;

l the renovation of existing 1-bedroom units (2) to add an additional bedroom to each;

Marilou with certificate of thanks from

Highbanks Society for the JLC’s donation 

of a refrigerator and kitchen equipment

l a remodelled kitchen, to which the JLC has proudly donated a new refrigerator and a variety of kitchen equipment;

l  the addition of a roof-top garden for resident recreation;

l  provision of private office space for case management; 

l  increased programming ‘community’ space;

l  increased building security through reconstruction of central entrances; and

l increased resident storage.

As you know, the JLC is delivering our Moms U Matter (MUM) program to the residents of Highbanks Society, which is an organization that provides individual family unit accommodation and integrates support services for parenting youth and their children.  They promote education and self-development while fostering peer support and a sense of community.  Highbanks now has eight units with subsidized rent.  Residents may stay for up to two years while they complete their high school or post-secondary program and create a career path.

 Marilou Mitchell

Bette Mitchell, President of Highbanks Board of Directors (L) and Cecilia de la Rocha, Executive Director 

of Highbanks Society, hold the ends of the ribbon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony

JLC Bestows Three Bursary Awards!

Three young women affiliated with Highbanks Society received Bursary Awards from the Junior League of Calgary at the Annual Celebration Dinner. The three recipients, Cheylynn Bell, Yesenia Cardona and Rain Wondrasek, were awarded $2000, $1000 and $1000 respectively to assist with their education tuition expenses.

To apply each woman submitted an application outlining her educational, employment and volunteer history. Two references provided information in support of her application, and the applicant submitted a brief essay on why she should be awarded the JLC Bursary Award.

Members of the Program Planning Group for Highbanks Society (MUM Program) with the JLC Bursary Award recipients: (Back L to R) Donna Fan, Marie Starich, Cecilia de la Rocha, Stephanie Schoenberg and Deb Vanderberg; (Seated L to R): Yesenia Cardona, Rain Wondrasek and Cheylynn Bell

Cecilia de la Rocha, Executive Director, Stephanie Schoenberg, Community Coordinator, and Bette Mitchell, Founder and President of the 2010-2011 Board of Directors of Highbanks Society, were present for the awards.

JLC Community Impact for 2010-2011 Celebrated at Annual Dinner!

Our Issue Area of "Healthy and Active Living" was our guide to successfully promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community during the 2010-2011 program year. We delivered over 2,600 volunteer hours. We impacted over 3,000 youth and 120 families.

HIGHBANKS SOCIETY is a residential agency that offers a safe home to single mothers between the ages of 16 and 24 and their children while the mothers complete their high school or post-secondary program and create a career path. Cecilia de la Rocha, Executive Director, Stephanie Schoenberg, Community Coordinator and Bette Mitchell, Founder and current President of the Board of Directors, attended the Celebration Dinner.

The Program Planning Group for Highbanks Society developed and implemented a program that benefits the mothers and children residing at Highbanks. The name of the program is "MUM", which stands for "Moms U Matter", and it targets the key issues of food preparation, meal planning, healthy eating, kitchen safety and food budgeting. We implemented eight MUM sessions between September and May at the Co-op Downtown Market kitchen; the Co-op location was required because the Highbanks Society facility was being remodelled. We look forward to refining the scope and components of the MUM program, running it in Highbanks’ new kitchen, which will be completed in June, and moving into the second year of program delivery.

One of the programs under the umbrella of the Children’s Cottage Society is BRENDA’S HOUSE. Brenda’s House is a re-housing program with a sheltering component aimed at supporting families toward independence and their own sustainable housing. Brenda’s House opened on February 1, 2009 and has served over 317 families. Joining us from Brenda’s House at our Celebration Dinner were Angela Hutchinson, Program Manager and Michelle Louisy, Child Development Team Lead and Patty Kilgallon, Executive Director of the Children’s Cottage Society.

Michelle Louisy (L) and Angela Hutchinson with Brenda’s House

The Program Planning Group for Brenda’s House developed a program that benefits the children and parents at Brenda’s House. The "Treasure Trunk" program targets key issues of nutrition and healthy eating (Kids in the Kitchen), literacy (Kids in the Story), music and movement (Kids in Motion and Music), the arts ( Kids in the Arts) and reading to babies (Babies in the Story). We implemented 15 sessions of Treasure Trunk between September and May. We look forward to refining the scope and components of Treasure Trunk as we move into the second year of program delivery.

The Fall Provisional Class members were given the opportunity to implement our eighth year of creating Teen Totes. Under the guidance of their advisors, class members planned and implemented the Holiday Tote Bags for 300 Calgary teens. The bags were distributed in December through the Alex Youth Health Centre and Calgary Community Resource Centres.

The Winter Provisional Class members learned about the JLC by implementing the sixth annual Kids in the Kitchen event. Advisors guided class members through all the components of a JLC project. The KITK program and accompanying Tote Bags were delivered to 175 grades four, five and six students at Cambrian Heights School on May 3.

In March, the JLC participated in Safety Expo at City Hall, demonstrating Kitchen Safety techniques at our double-wide booth, providing JLC members with the opportunity to impact over 2,500 students at this two-day event.

Check out this youTube video to see more highlights from the 2010-2011 year.   

• In the 2011-2012 JLC year, Community Impact program components will include: Treasure Trunk at Brenda’s House, which will start at a later time on Wednesday evenings;

• MUM program being delivered at the new Highbanks Society kitchen on Tuesdays and Thursdays;

•  Fall Provisional Class creating Teen Totes;

• Safety Expo on March 14-15, 2012;

•  Winter Provisional Class implementing KITK on May 1, 2012 at Rundle School in NE Calgary;

•  A Future Program Planning Group starting to explore new Community Impact opportunities within our Issue Area.

MUM Program at Highbanks Society - Update

This year, Junior League of Calgary partnered with Highbanks Society to implement the MUM program to help young mothers learn about "Healthy and Active Living" through the practice of good nutrition.

Our last MUM session of the year was held Tuesday, May 17 and the theme was "Welcome to Spring" - FINALLY! We made Linguini with Garlic and sautéed Shrimp as well as a Feta, Apple and Pecan Salad.  For dessert we made "Health by Chocolate Cookies" which contained pureed blueberries and spinach... YUM! The girls each received their own pasta pot to take home.

We are all looking forward to the grand opening of the new Highbanks Society kitchen. Our 2011-2012 sessions will be held there beginning in September. We also look forward to refining the scope and components of the MUM program and moving into the second year of the program‘s delivery. A big thank you to all the Junior League volunteers for contributing to the success of the MUM program this year!

MUM Program at Highbanks Society March Update!

The Junior League of Calgary is partnering with Highbanks Society to implement the "Moms U Matter" (MUM) program to help young mothers learn about "Healthy and Active Living" through the practice of good nutrition.  The JLC facilitated another fun-filled and successful MUM session on March 15 at the Co-Op Downtown Market kitchen. The theme was "Breakfast at Dinner" and the menu consisted of Banana Oatmeal Pancakes (see recipe below) topped with maple syrup and fresh fruit, Pork, Apple and Sage Patties (sounds a little odd but they are really good) and Berry Smoothies. The five young women of Highbanks that were in attendance made the pancakes, rolled the patties and made individual smoothies in the magic bullet. They were given gifts of a Magic Bullet and the Dietitians of Canada cookbook.
 
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Prep time 10 minutes Cooking time 5 minutes Makes 16 pancakes
Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) large-flake oatmeal
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) brown sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) each baking powder and baking soda
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and nutmeg
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) melted butter or vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir oatmeal with flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. In another large bowl, mash banana with a fork. Then whisk in eggs and yogurt. Stir in milk and vanilla. Make a well in oatmeal mixture. Pour in banana mixture and stir until blended. Then stir in butter.
2. Generously coat a large frying pan with a little more butter and set over medium heat. When butter is bubbly, scoop about 1/4 cup (50 mL) batter into pan. Repeat for each pancake. You should be able to fit 3 or 4 in the pan. Don't crowd pan. Cook until bubbles form on the top, 2 to 3 min. Then turn and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3 to 4 min more. Remove to a platter. Cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and batter. Yummy with maple syrup.

March is National Nutrition Month!

This March is Nutrition Month in Canada and it is the theme of our March General Meeting. Led by Dietitians of Canada, this annual campaign meshes well with our own Issue Area of Healthy and Active Living and The Association of Junior Leagues International’s league-wide Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) initiative.


Healthy eating is an essential part of a child’s normal growth and development. In Canada, rates of obesity among children and youth ages 2 to 17 has tripled over the last 25 years. In 1979, 3% of children and youth were obese. By 2004, 8% were obese. This number continues to climb, and Statistics Canada says that an additional 18% of Canadian children and youth are currently overweight.

While many factors impact this ever-increasing obesity of our children, healthy, nutritious eating and healthy food behaviours, including age-appropriate cooking and shopping skills, are vitally important in combating this trend and in reducing the risk of future chronic diseases such as diabetes and premature hardening of the arteries.

In this regard, KITK forms the foundation for our MUM (Moms U Matter) program at Highbanks Society, there is a KITK component in our Treasure Trunk Program at Brenda’s House and we will proudly be putting on our 6th annual KITK program this spring!

This year’s Nutrition Month theme is "Celebrate food…from field to table!"  In keeping with this theme, and our own Healthy and Active Living focus, please be encouraged to make choosing healthy and nutritious food, whether from a farmers’ market or the grocery store, a part of your and your children’s daily life.

Alice Gardner-Boreta
President, Junior League of Calgary
Reprinted from President's Message in Feb Lasso

Highbanks Society Executive Director Speaks At February General Meeting!

Cecilia de la Rocha, the Executive Director of Highbanks Society Independent Living for Parenting Youth (Highbanks), was the guest speaker at the February General Meeting. Her presentation "Highbanks Society - Holistically Supporting Calgary's Parenting Youth" was a fabulous tool that helped Junior League of Calgary (JLC) members better appreciate the extent of resources that are available to the young mothers in addition to the JLC MUM program currently being offered for Highbanks residents.


Cecilia informed us that Highbanks provides a safe, stable, affordable place to live for young mothers. In addition to serving as the landlord for eight units at two facilities, Highbanks provides a nurturing environment where the young mother can receive peer and community support. Young mothers may be residents for up to two years.

With the help of Highbanks staff, each young mom creates a plan that outlines specific educational, career and personal goals, and each mother is responsible for taking the necessary steps towards reaching them. The plan includes timelines for attaining these goals and methods for tracking progress towards their achievement. Highbanks staff provide support, encouragement and access to community resources to assist the young mothers in their efforts. Ultimately, however, each mother must navigate her own journey to success.

JLC members learned that Highbanks offers the young mothers many in-house opportunities for learning and growth. Some opportunities, like the JLC MUM program, require attendance by the residents; attending other opportunities are discretionary. In addition to learning and growth, the programs also include fun activities that are intended to rejuvenate these moms.

Cecilia brings to Highbanks Society her personal experience of teenage motherhood along with more than 17 years of professional work experience. A Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Toronto, Cecilia started volunteering with Highbanks in the spring of 2008, working with the residents on money-management and personal budgeting. This opportunity led to her position as the Highbanks’ Program Director in September 2008. In June 2010, Cecilia was appointed its Executive Director.
 
Highbanks Society Webpage

Junior League of Calgary's MUM Program Information

MUM Program - Valentine Fun!

Another fun-filled and successful MUM session was held on February 15th, 2011. The theme was Vegetarian Valentine!  Fiery Squash Chili and Mushroom-Gouda Melts were served along with Red Velvet Cake for dessert. Eight moms and two volunteers from Highbanks Society attended the session.  

JLC member, Dani Flowerday, introduced the potential health benefits of some of the ingredients used (eg. beans, tomatoes, herbs and spices). She also stressed the importance of building strong bones at an early age and distributed and worked with the moms on the Calcium Calculator, a worksheet that calculates the daily intake of calcium from the foods we eat. The moms also took home a whisk and garlic press as gifts for this session.

MUM Program at Highbanks Society - Update!

The Junior League of Calgary is partnering with Highbanks Society to implement the "Moms U Matter (MUM)" program to help young mothers learn about "Healthy and Active Living" through the practice of good nutrition and physical activity.

The fall 2010 sessions of MUM were very well received by Highbanks Society participants. Each session is a flurry of chopping, cooking, chatting and cleaning up. The evenings just fly by and end with a delicious, shared, sit down dinner. Our JLC members have been invaluable to these evenings, knowing just when to jump in and lend a hand!

The September session featured "Fall Flavours" with a multilayered "Shepherd‘s Pie" made by the moms and topped off with a delicious peach crisp.

In October we shared one of our family‘s favourite recipes, "Honey Mustard Chicken", which was served with brown rice and salad, all made by the moms, and chocolate cake for dessert.

Our November session fell on the blustery night of an early winter storm. The moms and volunteers braved the weather and enjoyed the spicy heat of the "Fast Chili" (see recipe) they created, complimented by volunteer-made cornmeal muffins.

We facilitated another successful MUM event on January 11, 2011 at the Co-Op Downtown Market kitchen. The menu was dubbed "Superfoods" by the committee. It consisted of Baked Salmon with tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms, served with a quinoa salad and fresh whole wheat French loaf. The dessert was Frozen Cappuccino.

MUM program participants hard at work preparing baked salmon