100+ Women Who Care SSM, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

SSM Human Society

May 3, 2023

$13,330

Provides a safe & healthy haven for all animals. Their goal is to ensure the humane treatment (vet care/spay/neuter/pet food bank/fostering/emergency shelter) of the 2,000 animals in our care each year and eliminate the need for euthanasia as a method of pet control.

Volunteers from the Humane Society holding a dog.

Brain Injury Association of SSM and District

February 8, 2023

$13,214

Since 1988, the Brain Injury Association has been helping survivors and their families deal with the effects of acquired brain injury (ABI).

Founded by a survivor, the Association has one staff member and many volunteers who provide free services and resources to survivors of ABI, their families and friends.

Alzheimer Society of SSM and Algoma District

October 5, 2022

$11,500

The staff at our local Alzheimer Society is dedicated to helping those who are living with dementia to be able to live well with dementia. 100+ Women Who Care SSM supported the Alzheimer society and their Minds in Motion programme. Minds in Motion is a popular and unique programme aimed at serving those with dementia and their caregivers.

Volunteers from the Salvation Army holding a thank you sign.

St. Vincent Place

June 8, 2022

$9,310

St. Vincent Place serves the homeless & poor (men, women, teens & children & aboriginal families) by providing them with shelter, clothing, food, household essentials & compassionate attention. The Food Bank & Soup Kitchen serve over 4,000 clients and provide up to 160 hot meals twice a week.

The emergency shelter is the first point of entry for all males 18 years + who are homeless in our community.

The Salvation Army

December 2021 – February 2022

$9,925

The Salvation Army provides emotional, spiritual, physical support to anyone who walks through its doors. The Salvation Army food bank provides food to many individuals and families in need living in Sault Ste. Marie every month.

St. Paul's Food Bag Programme

March – May, 2021

$9,620

Through this amazing program, St. Paul's has been quietly offering assistance to their neighbours since 2015. Funding has largely come from the congregation, with support from some other faithful donors.

Since its inception, the program has provided over 8,500 bags of food to families and individuals. The program runs on alternate Tuesdays. Each bag includes about $10 in groceries, so every donation from you will have an impact..

Thanks to your generosity, St. Paul's has been able to add protein items to their biweekly food bags.

SSM Helping Hands

October – November 2020

$9,775

SSM Helping Hands is a non-profit organization committed to collecting, organizing & distributing donated household items, clothing and other gently used items to those in need in the community.

SSM Helping Hand's mission is to assist in poverty reduction by providing basic household items to persons of low income by establishing, operating and maintaining a depot of donated goods. At the depot they provide basic necessities such as clothing, toiletries, bedding and other such items to low income community members and to those who have been displaced from their homes.

Algoma Autism Foundation

February 4, 2020

$13,205

The Algoma Autism Foundation (AAF) is an incorporated not-for-profit (registration #869475-3), launched in 2013 to address the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

The Foundation is 100% volunteer and 100% local. All monies raised stay in the community.

THRIVE Foundation Family Assistance Fund

November 26, 2019

$11,760

The mission of THRIVE is to empower children and their families to reach beyond what is expected toward the extraordinary.

THRIVE Child Development Centre helps children and youth with diverse abilities achieve their highest potential through programs, services and clinics such as: Professional Therapy, Respite Care, Preschool Inclusive and Early Learning Resources, Seating and Mobility Clinic, Assistive Communications Clinic, Transition Clinic, Feeding and Swallowing Clinic, and much more.

The Twinkie Foundation

September 10, 2019

$14,752

The Twinkie Foundation helps local families who have to travel with their sick or critically ill children to medical facilities outside of SSM.

In their words... "We help with financial assistance for meals, lodging, accommodations and other incidentals including taxis and parking. We can't take away a child's illness; however, we can help alleviate some of the financial stress incurred by families who have to travel to other cities for medical appointments and treatments. "

Twinkie was founded by Greg and Karen Lefave -- here is a video with more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGYPlUPDMkQ

The Adult Day Program

May 14, 2019

$11,430

The Adult Day Program has been providing services for 30 years! The program offers supervised activities in a home-like setting for individuals with memory impairment.

The goal of the program is to maintain the individual needs of the client while enhancing and reinforcing basic living skills, all while giving caregivers a much-needed break.

All activities are geared to the clients’ abilities and are adapted to compensate for those memory or physical issues the client might have.

Christmas Cheer Sault Ste. Marie

February 19, 2019

$14,000

The Christmas Cheer program provides a Christmas dinner and gifts for our neighbours in need.

In 2018 1,675 families were served and the incredible volunteers donated over 31,000 hours to give the gift of Christmas Cheer in Sault Ste. Marie.

Special Olympics Sault Ste. Marie

October 16, 2018

$14,065

Sault Ste. Marie has over 100 Special Olympic athletes, aged 11 to 65+ years, and about 40 volunteers, including coaches. Our local athletes participate in bowling, curling, snowshoeing, cross country (nordic) skiing, track and field, swimming, baseball, and floor hockey. The Special Olympics SSM volunteers raise funds to cover transportation, uniforms, equipment, overnight trip accommodations, etc. and hosts an Annual Awards Banquet for our athletes.

Spinal Cord Injury Sault Ste. Marie

June 19, 2018

$14,906.75

Spinal Cord Injury's essential goals have been intact since 1945, when our founders, having sustained spinal cord injury, returned to Ontario from the Second World War and rejected institutionalization as their lot in life. That spirit of moving boldly forward, of living the life you choose in spite of overwhelming challenges, characterizes our charity today, thanks to our active, caring community.

VISION: People with spinal cord injury living the life they choose in a fully inclusive Ontario.

MISSION: We deliver and champion excellence in service, support and advocacy for people with spinal cord injury.

Sault Search and Rescue

April 17, 2018

$15,230

The heart and soul of Sault Search and Rescue is the dedicated volunteer workforce consisting of skilled searchers, pilots, divers, search coordinators and others, including mechanics, cooks, instructors, communication specialists and essential support personnel who contribute their skills at no cost.

Through Project Lifesaver search and rescue agencies are trained to help locate clients who wander due to Alzheimer's, autism or other conditions before they fall victim to the elements, accidents or predators.

Meals on Wheels

January 16, 2018

$17,185

Meals on Wheels has been making a difference in the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie for over 44 years. They are the lifeline that 115 adults in the community rely upon every day. Meals on Wheels volunteers are the backbone of the program. Our clients have included seniors over the age of 100, to a young mother of three convalescing.

No Limits Adaptive Ski Association / SkiAbility Algoma

October 24, 2017

$17,700

These fantastic groups are dedicated to ensuring persons with disabilities have an opportunity to try downhill skiing (No Limits) and water skiing (SkiAbility Algoma).

The two groups operate autonomously, but are "sister organizations," with shared values and many of the same volunteers.

No Limits operates out of Searchmont Resort, with 21 volunteers and certified instructors. Their annual budget is $13,000.

No Limits is a registered charity (845831841 RR0001).

SkiAbility Algoma runs from Bell's Point, with 24 volunteers and trained instructors. Their annual budget is $7,000.

Each group has 10 seasons under their belt.

Both provide wheelchair-accessible transportation and on-site attendant service at no additional cost to participants.

This approach is unique in Canada - no other programme in the country provides transportation and on-site attendance services!

Both are funded by sponsors, donations, fundraising and user fees. Both strive to keep user fees as low as possible, to reduce barriers to participation.

Funds raised through 100 Women SSM will make a tremendous difference to the maintenance and expansion of each programme.

Women in Crisis (Algoma)

July 25, 2017

$15,400

Women In Crisis (Algoma) is a safe and supportive shelter for women and children who have experienced abuse. Emergency shelter is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pauline's Place

April 25, 2017

$17,575

Pauline’s Place, a 19-bed shelter, provides emergency shelter and basic necessities to youth (male ages 16-17, female ages 16-21), women, and families in Sault Ste. Marie.

Pauline's Place also assists their clients in acquiring safe and affordable housing and connecting them to other needed services.

Breaking Away

Jan. 24, 2017

$15,505

Breaking Away was established by parents in Sault Ste. Marie in 2004 to help their adult children with developmental disabilities.

Once an individual with developmental disabilities turns 21, there is little to no government support for that individual. Parents often struggle to protect their child's independence and quality of life.

Breaking Away was created by parents to help their children break away from limitations imposed by a lack of opportunity and by others' perceptions of their abilities.

The Soup Kitchen

October 4, 2016

$14,200

Together we raised $14,200 for the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre through individual and team donations.

The Soup Kitchen is a registered charity focused on meeting the needs of those who live in poverty. The Soup Kitchen provides a safe place to eat, socialize, get information and attend programs; provides a nurturing Children’s Program offering education, recreation and social activities; and advocates on social justice issues.

The Soup Kitchen serves between 1,600 and 2,100 meals per month, serving 70 – 100 individuals daily. The Soup Kitchen served 2,236 meals in April 2016, up 60% from 1,411 in October 2015.

The Soup Kitchen also provides food for church meal programs and about 20 service agencies which then distribute this food to their clients.

Algoma Autism Foundation

May 27, 2016

$11,600

At our inaugural meeting, 100+ Women Who Care Sault Ste. Marie raised $11,600 for the Algoma Autism Foundation.

The Foundation is 100% volunteer and 100% local. All monies raised stay in the community.

The AAF has used donations from 100+ Women Who Care SSM to purchase RF beacon bracelets for children who wander/are a flight risk.

The AAF organizes Sensitive Santa in partnership with the Station Mall, and Trunk or Treat in partnership with multiple community partners, so children with ASD and their parents can participate in simple but important childhood milestones which might otherwise be impossible to manage.

Since 2013, the AAF has donated $16,000 in equipment to local schools, including special needs trampolines and swings, and iPAD minis for local students who are non-verbal. The AAF also organizes and supports recreational activities such as a gymnastics programme.

In February 2016, the AAF donated $5,000 towards construction of the Bellevue Park Interactive Outdoor Sensory Play Area, which opened in July 2016.