Debra Tigchelaar is taking her vision for healing families to the next level this spring.
Since the inspiration to create a haven for women and children caught in family crisis came to her 15 years ago, Tigchelaar has accomplished much: with support of community partners she launched Eagle's Nest Association of Waterdown and, in 2005, opened Drummond House transitional home, which provides accommodation for women and children for three to six months, along with practical support, counselling and training. The mandate for Drummond House remained tightly focused on meeting the specific need, with the resources available.
This month, however, Eagle's Nest is unveiling a community component to its services that will extend its programming to those who may need support, but not necessarily housing.
“I get a lot of calls from people that need the programming but not the residence,” noted Drummond House program manager Kathryn Bernard. “People will call the house who don’t need a physical home, but need the resources; we never had the space to offer programming to women not in the house.”
When the opportunity to establish community outreach — in the form of suitable accommodation in the former manse adjacent to Bethel Christian Reformed Church — came available, Tigchelaar jumped at the chance.
“We are partnering with Bethel; they are letting us use this facility,” she said of the house, which is located at 606 Dundas St. E.
“They’ve given us the use of this home ‘in kind’ — we’re really seeing it as a partnership.”
The house had previously been rented out, but church officials wondered if it could be put to better use, said Joanne Adema, co-ordinator of Bethel’s youth, fellowship and outreach ministries. “We wondered if this really was what we should be doing with the parsonage,” she said. “So we did a survey, and (responses said) it should be used for ministry of some sort.”
As she set about researching possible outreach opportunities, Adema read an appeal published in an Eagle's Nest newsletter which noted the directors were “praying for space.”
“I looked into different ministries, but this one was the best one,” she said of the programming, which complements initiatives already in place at Bethel, such as Divorce Care for Kids and Single and Parenting.
“We have many churches that support us, and now we will have this resource available,” added Tigchelaar. “It is faith-based, but it is very inclusive and we look forward to supporting all people in the community.”
Since securing the property in January, volunteers have been working hard to transform the building to the Home Of Practical Education (HOPE) Centre, which offers a peaceful rural setting similar to Drummond House. Eagle's Nest is running a capital campaign, “Restoring HOPE” to support the renovations and launch programming; the goal is to collect $100,000 in donations. As of this month, approximately $42,000 had been raised.
One of the first programs that will be offered at the HOPE Centre is HEART (Healing Emotional Abuse through Art). Amanda DeVries, children’s program manager for Drummond House, is excited to be able to expand it to reach kids in the community.
“It’s often hard for kids to verbalize what they have gone through, in a nonconfrontational way,” she said. “Art is accessible for various ages — it’s not limited.”
In addition to offering counselling and support groups, the centre will be used to do intake for Drummond House clients.
“We are now doing it in restaurants and coffee shops,” noted Bernard. She added that the new centre is sensitive to programs that are already running in the Flamborough area and they hope to work alongside, rather than duplicate, them.
“There are valuable programs in the community that are always looking for space,” she said. “For example, there is one that offers budgeting and money management — we would like to look at that for children. If there is already an organization doing that, we could facilitate the space for them.”
Tigchelaar said ideas such as partnering with a wellness centre also fit the vision for the HOPE Centre. “It’s a holistic manner of wellness — diet exercise, therapeutic care,” she said.
In addition to the children’s programming, Eagle's Nest is developing a circle of care that comprises practical teaching, spiritual guidance, education, children’s programming, wellness and support groups.
“Over the years we had people ask ‘What about the men?’” said Tigchelaar, noting that men heal differently than women. The plan is to offer support and resources to all members of the community.
“Each part of the circle has about five different components, such as teaching, counselling and education,” said Tigchelaar, adding that she hopes to enlist professional volunteers to offer services such as legal advice, counselling and administrative support. “It’s pretty exciting.”
DeVries noted that families impacted by abuse will benefit from the approach. “We can sop the cycle by giving them the tools,” she said. “It’s a safe place for them to come. If they need something more than we can offer, we can connect them to resources.”
“If the children are helped at a young age, it is not the same outcome,” agreed Tigchelaar. “This is really a connection place.”
While excited by the growth of her vision, which will ultimately extend to offer healing and preventive care to men, women and children in the wider community, she is aware that it doesn’t pay to rush into things.
“We want to do this as it comes,” Tigchelaar said.
“The possibilities are endless,” agreed Adema.
The HOPE Centre is hosting a pastors' breakfast on May 31, and the community will be welcomed at an open house June 13-14, from 1-4 p.m., when they will be able to walk though the facility and connect with staff who will be on site to answer questions.
Debra Tigchelaar is taking her vision for healing families to the next level this spring.
Since the inspiration to create a haven for women and children caught in family crisis came to her 15 years ago, Tigchelaar has accomplished much: with support of community partners she launched Eagle's Nest Association of Waterdown and, in 2005, opened Drummond House transitional home, which provides accommodation for women and children for three to six months, along with practical support, counselling and training. The mandate for Drummond House remained tightly focused on meeting the specific need, with the resources available.
This month, however, Eagle's Nest is unveiling a community component to its services that will extend its programming to those who may need support, but not necessarily housing.
“I get a lot of calls from people that need the programming but not the residence,” noted Drummond House program manager Kathryn Bernard. “People will call the house who don’t need a physical home, but need the resources; we never had the space to offer programming to women not in the house.”
When the opportunity to establish community outreach — in the form of suitable accommodation in the former manse adjacent to Bethel Christian Reformed Church — came available, Tigchelaar jumped at the chance.
“We are partnering with Bethel; they are letting us use this facility,” she said of the house, which is located at 606 Dundas St. E.
“They’ve given us the use of this home ‘in kind’ — we’re really seeing it as a partnership.”
The house had previously been rented out, but church officials wondered if it could be put to better use, said Joanne Adema, co-ordinator of Bethel’s youth, fellowship and outreach ministries. “We wondered if this really was what we should be doing with the parsonage,” she said. “So we did a survey, and (responses said) it should be used for ministry of some sort.”
As she set about researching possible outreach opportunities, Adema read an appeal published in an Eagle's Nest newsletter which noted the directors were “praying for space.”
“I looked into different ministries, but this one was the best one,” she said of the programming, which complements initiatives already in place at Bethel, such as Divorce Care for Kids and Single and Parenting.
“We have many churches that support us, and now we will have this resource available,” added Tigchelaar. “It is faith-based, but it is very inclusive and we look forward to supporting all people in the community.”
Since securing the property in January, volunteers have been working hard to transform the building to the Home Of Practical Education (HOPE) Centre, which offers a peaceful rural setting similar to Drummond House. Eagle's Nest is running a capital campaign, “Restoring HOPE” to support the renovations and launch programming; the goal is to collect $100,000 in donations. As of this month, approximately $42,000 had been raised.
One of the first programs that will be offered at the HOPE Centre is HEART (Healing Emotional Abuse through Art). Amanda DeVries, children’s program manager for Drummond House, is excited to be able to expand it to reach kids in the community.
“It’s often hard for kids to verbalize what they have gone through, in a nonconfrontational way,” she said. “Art is accessible for various ages — it’s not limited.”
In addition to offering counselling and support groups, the centre will be used to do intake for Drummond House clients.
“We are now doing it in restaurants and coffee shops,” noted Bernard. She added that the new centre is sensitive to programs that are already running in the Flamborough area and they hope to work alongside, rather than duplicate, them.
“There are valuable programs in the community that are always looking for space,” she said. “For example, there is one that offers budgeting and money management — we would like to look at that for children. If there is already an organization doing that, we could facilitate the space for them.”
Tigchelaar said ideas such as partnering with a wellness centre also fit the vision for the HOPE Centre. “It’s a holistic manner of wellness — diet exercise, therapeutic care,” she said.
In addition to the children’s programming, Eagle's Nest is developing a circle of care that comprises practical teaching, spiritual guidance, education, children’s programming, wellness and support groups.
“Over the years we had people ask ‘What about the men?’” said Tigchelaar, noting that men heal differently than women. The plan is to offer support and resources to all members of the community.
“Each part of the circle has about five different components, such as teaching, counselling and education,” said Tigchelaar, adding that she hopes to enlist professional volunteers to offer services such as legal advice, counselling and administrative support. “It’s pretty exciting.”
DeVries noted that families impacted by abuse will benefit from the approach. “We can sop the cycle by giving them the tools,” she said. “It’s a safe place for them to come. If they need something more than we can offer, we can connect them to resources.”
“If the children are helped at a young age, it is not the same outcome,” agreed Tigchelaar. “This is really a connection place.”
While excited by the growth of her vision, which will ultimately extend to offer healing and preventive care to men, women and children in the wider community, she is aware that it doesn’t pay to rush into things.
“We want to do this as it comes,” Tigchelaar said.
“The possibilities are endless,” agreed Adema.
The HOPE Centre is hosting a pastors' breakfast on May 31, and the community will be welcomed at an open house June 13-14, from 1-4 p.m., when they will be able to walk though the facility and connect with staff who will be on site to answer questions.
Debra Tigchelaar is taking her vision for healing families to the next level this spring.
Since the inspiration to create a haven for women and children caught in family crisis came to her 15 years ago, Tigchelaar has accomplished much: with support of community partners she launched Eagle's Nest Association of Waterdown and, in 2005, opened Drummond House transitional home, which provides accommodation for women and children for three to six months, along with practical support, counselling and training. The mandate for Drummond House remained tightly focused on meeting the specific need, with the resources available.
This month, however, Eagle's Nest is unveiling a community component to its services that will extend its programming to those who may need support, but not necessarily housing.
“I get a lot of calls from people that need the programming but not the residence,” noted Drummond House program manager Kathryn Bernard. “People will call the house who don’t need a physical home, but need the resources; we never had the space to offer programming to women not in the house.”
When the opportunity to establish community outreach — in the form of suitable accommodation in the former manse adjacent to Bethel Christian Reformed Church — came available, Tigchelaar jumped at the chance.
“We are partnering with Bethel; they are letting us use this facility,” she said of the house, which is located at 606 Dundas St. E.
“They’ve given us the use of this home ‘in kind’ — we’re really seeing it as a partnership.”
The house had previously been rented out, but church officials wondered if it could be put to better use, said Joanne Adema, co-ordinator of Bethel’s youth, fellowship and outreach ministries. “We wondered if this really was what we should be doing with the parsonage,” she said. “So we did a survey, and (responses said) it should be used for ministry of some sort.”
As she set about researching possible outreach opportunities, Adema read an appeal published in an Eagle's Nest newsletter which noted the directors were “praying for space.”
“I looked into different ministries, but this one was the best one,” she said of the programming, which complements initiatives already in place at Bethel, such as Divorce Care for Kids and Single and Parenting.
“We have many churches that support us, and now we will have this resource available,” added Tigchelaar. “It is faith-based, but it is very inclusive and we look forward to supporting all people in the community.”
Since securing the property in January, volunteers have been working hard to transform the building to the Home Of Practical Education (HOPE) Centre, which offers a peaceful rural setting similar to Drummond House. Eagle's Nest is running a capital campaign, “Restoring HOPE” to support the renovations and launch programming; the goal is to collect $100,000 in donations. As of this month, approximately $42,000 had been raised.
One of the first programs that will be offered at the HOPE Centre is HEART (Healing Emotional Abuse through Art). Amanda DeVries, children’s program manager for Drummond House, is excited to be able to expand it to reach kids in the community.
“It’s often hard for kids to verbalize what they have gone through, in a nonconfrontational way,” she said. “Art is accessible for various ages — it’s not limited.”
In addition to offering counselling and support groups, the centre will be used to do intake for Drummond House clients.
“We are now doing it in restaurants and coffee shops,” noted Bernard. She added that the new centre is sensitive to programs that are already running in the Flamborough area and they hope to work alongside, rather than duplicate, them.
“There are valuable programs in the community that are always looking for space,” she said. “For example, there is one that offers budgeting and money management — we would like to look at that for children. If there is already an organization doing that, we could facilitate the space for them.”
Tigchelaar said ideas such as partnering with a wellness centre also fit the vision for the HOPE Centre. “It’s a holistic manner of wellness — diet exercise, therapeutic care,” she said.
In addition to the children’s programming, Eagle's Nest is developing a circle of care that comprises practical teaching, spiritual guidance, education, children’s programming, wellness and support groups.
“Over the years we had people ask ‘What about the men?’” said Tigchelaar, noting that men heal differently than women. The plan is to offer support and resources to all members of the community.
“Each part of the circle has about five different components, such as teaching, counselling and education,” said Tigchelaar, adding that she hopes to enlist professional volunteers to offer services such as legal advice, counselling and administrative support. “It’s pretty exciting.”
DeVries noted that families impacted by abuse will benefit from the approach. “We can sop the cycle by giving them the tools,” she said. “It’s a safe place for them to come. If they need something more than we can offer, we can connect them to resources.”
“If the children are helped at a young age, it is not the same outcome,” agreed Tigchelaar. “This is really a connection place.”
While excited by the growth of her vision, which will ultimately extend to offer healing and preventive care to men, women and children in the wider community, she is aware that it doesn’t pay to rush into things.
“We want to do this as it comes,” Tigchelaar said.
“The possibilities are endless,” agreed Adema.
The HOPE Centre is hosting a pastors' breakfast on May 31, and the community will be welcomed at an open house June 13-14, from 1-4 p.m., when they will be able to walk though the facility and connect with staff who will be on site to answer questions.