Summer fun at Nancy's House!

Summer has been such a whirlwind at Nancy's House! For 9 weeks, we had Charis, a Community and Social Services Worker, with us. She was a wonderful addition to our team and worked closely with our residents.

We asked her to share with everyone about the adventures she participated in with residents from Nancy’s House. Here’s what she has to say!

Nancy's House Update from Charis

Hi everyone! 

I have been really enjoying my time at Restorations this summer! A main part of my role has been to plan activities for the Nancy’s House residents. As Restorations seeks to provide holistic care, we wanted to plan a summer that helped support mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing—including plenty of time for fun and play! 

Every week, we planned a fun activity to do on Fridays. Our Fun Friday activities included: 

• 3 beach days, complete with kayaking, sand toys, lots of relaxing, and good food

• A day with Hazel, my goldendoodle, including playing with a new ball and taking her to the beach 

• An outing to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, where we saw lots of beautiful plants and nature

• A pottery class, where we were each able to handbuild a piece of pottery 

• An outing to Niagara Falls to visit the Butterfly Conservatory and see the falls (of course!)  

• A trip to Wild Waterworks to finish an amazing summer!

In addition to the Fun Fridays, I also facilitated weekly chats each Thursday afternoon covering topics related to mental health and wellbeing. We talked about stress management, focusing on simple tools and techniques to calm our bodies and remain grounded. We looked at how to challenge our negative thoughts and show ourselves self-compassion when those thoughts feel true, along with creating a self-soothing toolkit to help us treat ourselves with kindness in hard moments. We also spent time identifying our personal strengths and values and looking at goals and hopes for the future. I have been so blessed by my time this summer and am so thankful for this opportunity!

The announcement you've been waiting for!

We are excited to share a significant announcement with you!

Eight years ago, Restorations grew out of the unified passion of a small group of individuals, to see a solution to the gap of long-term services to victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada.

In September 2013, gathered in the living room of one of our founding board members, the team met for the first time and committed to the work of opening a home to journey alongside those overcoming trauma from human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

A lot has happened since then. Maybe you've known about us since the beginning when this goal of opening a home was still just a dream. Or maybe you're new to our community and have witnessed the ways our organization has also grown to include a thriving Survivor-led Peer Support program.

Because of the support of our larger community of staff, volunteers, renovation partners, community partners, funders, faith communities, supporters, and encouragers, we are happy to announce...

Restorations’ Nancy’s House will be opening our doors and welcoming our first residents this spring!

"When we first gathered as a group of people who recognized the need for long-term housing, compelled to do something about it, I could only imagine the day when we would be able to provide a safe place to rest, a hospitable place to be nourished, and a healing place to overcome trauma. I am so grateful for what we've learned along the way, and even more grateful that what started as a dream is becoming reality this spring.
Jennifer Lucking, Executive Director

"It has been an absolute pleasure to witness the incredible results of a community coming together to transform a dream into a reality. The opening of Nancy’s House is a surreal moment that I am beyond honoured to be a part of. I have had the privilege to watch Nancy’s House transform before my eyes, and thanks to the amazing outpouring of love and community support, a house has become a home. I fully believe that healing and transition all starts when you have a healing environment to rest, grow, and prosper."
Michelle, Peer Advocate

"I remember well the day I first stood in the un-renovated house and imagined the day when our first residents would walk through the door and know that they had found a safe and supportive home. Adequate words fail me in expressing my deep gratitude to all who have worked and given and supported in order to see our vision become reality! Thank you so much for choosing to support Restorations in the opening of Nancy's House!"
Jennifer Potter, Board Chair

"I have the immense privilege to provide peer support to our survivors, and I can tell you personally that a home - a real home - is what so many are desperate for. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of Nancy's House which will provide just that."
Sascha, Peer Advocate

There is still much to do before welcoming our first residents, but we will continue to keep you updated with news and needs.

The Restorations team visiting the house for the first time, November 2018

Restorations staff and volunteers on demolition day in 2019

The Restorations team at our annual fundraising event, Ride for Refuge, in 2019!

The Restorations home at the beginning of the renovation process in 2018

Some of our amazing renovation partners hard at work

The Peer Support team using the kitchen at Nancy's House for a virtual cooking event