| On October 9th, Women Leading Philanthropy (WLP) hosted an invigorating gathering of 60
attendees, all coming together for a meaningful evening in support of the EMBRACE program.
The event highlighted WLP’s dedication to empowering women and making a difference in the
lives of those who need it most.
The EMBRACE program is a vital initiative aimed at supporting women with a history of
substance use during pregnancy. EMBRACE stands for Empowering Mothers and Families,
Mentorship, Building Healthy Relationships, Respect, Actively Listening and Learning,
Collaboration, and Engagement. At the heart of the program is a collaborative care approach,
ensuring that mothers receive comprehensive support throughout pregnancy and into the
postpartum period. The ultimate goal is to empower these mothers to be the primary caregivers
for their babies, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.
During the evening, a guest speaker moved the audience with personal stories of her own
journey and that of another mother’s experience with EMBRACE. She shared how the program
had been a source of strength and guidance during some of the most difficult moments in their
lives, underscoring the powerful impact of community support.
As part of the fundraising efforts, EMBRACE totes—special bags given to mothers during their
stay in the hospital—were auctioned off. Each tote is filled with approximately $100 worth of
essential items for both mother and baby, including personal hygiene and comfort items, snacks,
things to pass the time in the hospital, and baby necessities like sleepers, sleep sacks, and
soothers.
Looking ahead, WLP is excited to grow its membership and continue selecting impactful causes
to support. The energy and passion shared at events like this are a testament to the power of
collective philanthropy.
Reflecting on the event, WLP member Sara Gerrard shared, “Being part of a group that
empowers women through philanthropy is incredibly rewarding. Events like ‘Connect for a
Cause’ in support of the EMBRACE program not only showcase the collective impact we can
have but also inspire us to strive for even greater change. Together, we’re making a difference,
one initiative at a time.”
With such a strong start, WLP is eager to see what the future holds as they continue to engage
in meaningful causes and strengthen their impact on the community. |
#WithGlowingHearts thanks employers who support Reservists
As Canada works to overcome the pandemic challenges, #Reservists are being mobilized to assist. With many thanks to #Employers who support them to do important work on behalf of us all. Employers also have access to tools for support such as “With Glowing Hearts” Reservist Support Program & CERP (Compensation for Employers of Reservist Program). When Employers support Reservists, they too serve our country. Thank you! @CFLCCA #CAF.
Reservists play an integral role in the companies and organizations they work for outside of their military careers. Here are three interviews that were conducted in Edmonton in 2019. They showcase the way employers and reservists support each other. If you’re an employer who is considering hiring a Reservist, these videos will provide some real world insights from both employers and reservists.
Here is an interview with Sean Pascek, Vice President with Prostar Energy/Well Service about the benefits his company has gained from employing reservist Master Corporal Wolfgang Brettner as their company’s Safety Manager. Interview was conducted in summer of 2019
Meet Kevin MacLeod, interviewed here in his role as Managing Senior Principal of Stantec Geomatix and Captain Vikesh Malhi, a reservist and Project Manager with Stantec. Interview was conducted in summer of 2019.
Cory Stockley, Dispatch Manager with Tag Logistics and Master Warrant Officer Andrew Gordey discuss their relationship and the mutual benefits of having a reservist on staff.
Click for more information on #WithGlowingHearts
About the Canadian Forces Liaison Council: The Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) is a national organization comprised of over 200 senior executives and community leaders within the private and public sectors who volunteer their time to encourage employer/educator support for the Reserve Force.
We work in partnership with the Department of National Defence to engage employers, educational institutions and other organizations to emphasise how valuable reserve service is to Canadian communities and the defence of Canada. The CFLC’s objective is to raise awareness among organizations and show how they can benefit by employing reservists and take advantage of the special leadership and skills training reservists receive.
We aim to educate employers of the special skills that reservists have to enable them to fulfill their military obligations and attend training courses. To do this, the Council has worked with the Defence Team to develop and deliver a wide range of effective employer support programs such as ExecuTreks. Connecting to the business community, these programs inform, engage, educate, recognize and support employers and their reservist employees.
CFLC also delivers provincial and national awards programs to recognize employers and educational institutions who demonstrate, above and beyond, support of Reservists and the Canadian Reserve Force. The Reserves form a critical component of Canada’s Defence Strategy – Strong, Secure, Engaged – and are prepared to answer the demand as our military is increasingly called to action.