Hope prevails
Changing Lives campaign for Stella’s Circle caps off $3-M fundraising drive
Hope is and always will be what Stella’s Circle stands for.
The guidance that is provided to clients at the Cabot Street facility has made a huge difference in the lives of people who avail of the many adult basic education programs offered at the employment-training centre.
Stella’s Circle has also helped people with complex mentalhealth needs work through their difficulties as part of its community support program.
“The impressiveness of this building is the people inside,” Stella’s Circle CEO Lisa Browne said.
“It was Jocelyn Green’s vision that inspired this,” Browne added as a host of staff, politicians and members of the public gathered to celebrate the completion of the centre’s Changing Lives campaign.
Started in 2013, the campaign’s goal was to build an Employment Services Centre on Cabot Street. The centre assists individuals in making a successful transition to the labour market.
Stella’s Circle addresses the impact and root causes of poverty, abuse, and oppression.
It does this by developing support services that promote community inclusion and by advocating for social policy changes that transform oppressive systems.
“As you can imagine, raising $3 million is not easy,” Browne said.
“We had a great foundation, board and staff at Stella’s Circle that worked hard to achieve this goal. Our chair, Mark Macleod, put together a great team to advise and guide us on how to raise the funds,” she said, adding that she also had to recognize the donors, without whom the campaign would not be possible.
Browne said the centre has had well over 4,000 client contacts for the past three years and more than 300 of those individuals have gained jobs outside of Stella’s Circle.
“The best social program is a job,” Browne said.
Husky Energy kick-started the fundraising for the Stella’s Circle facility with a contribution of $750,000 in 2013.
“With their track record here at Stella’s Circle, it was an easy decision for supporting the campaign,” said Malcolm Maclean, senior vice-president for the Atlantic region at Husky Energy Inc.
“This program is good for the health of our community — for now, and for years to come,” Maclean said.
“I live near here and to watch (Stella’s Circle) transform over the years was amazing. I believe this is money that has been well invested. Husky was happy to sign up and we are pleased it has been concluded,” he added.
The barriers faced by adults at Stella’s Circle include mentalhealth challenges, addictions, trauma, poverty, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, low literacy, and long periods of unemployment.
Government recognizes those barriers, and the success stories that have come from the individuals who complete the various programs.
“We know the history, the great work that is being done at Stella’s Circle. The staff and volunteers do that great work,” Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour Al Hawkins said.
“It is great to celebrate the impact Changing Lives has and will have, and make a positive difference in the future.”