WHAT’S NEW

Spring & Summer Newsletter

This spring, we came together to celebrate a powerful truth: when women thrive, communities flourish. In late May, Aunt Leah’s hosted a heartfelt gathering at our newest home, a Laneway House expansion on Boundary Road. This new space was built for and with women-led families in mind.

This event brought together donors, funders, volunteers, staff, board members, and our construction partners from both Aunt Leah’s Society and Aunt Leah’s Properties. Together, we honoured the transformative impact of women’s leadership and the compassionate community standing behind them.

Thanks to the Federal Government’s Reaching Home housing program, and the generosity of two anonymous donor families, the Laneway House is now complete and a safe, secure home for two women-led families. It’s more than a house — it’s a launchpad for dignity, stability, and a hopeful future.

Four women from Aunt Leah's Thresholds staff pose standing outside a two storey house. The women are smiling and dressed in black and other neutral colors. The house has three windows and the door is open. — Aunt Leah’s Thresholds staff team in front of the new laneway house.

She Thrives: Together, We Did It!

This year, the She Thrives campaign raised $358,000 to support the Thresholds program, a safe haven and stepping stone for mothers and their children living in Aunt Leah’s Properties’ homes.

We are especially grateful to our donors, Fran Sainas-Sloan and Trish Sloan, whose visionary $100,000 gift helped launch the campaign. Alongside them, we thank all ninety-five She Thrives campaign supporters for their generosity and trust.

Your contributions are already at work, supporting wraparound services at three Thresholds homes and two Laneway Houses. These programs providing women with parenting support, housing stability, and the chance to build brighter futures for themselves and their children.

Left: a mom holding her baby; Top right: from left to right - Aunt Leah's Executive Director, Sarah Stewart, & Aunt Leah's Properties Executive Director, Jacqueline Dupuis; Bottom right: Supporters of She Thrives and the new laneway house opening — Left: a mom holding her baby; Top right: from left to right – Aunt Leah’s Executive Director, Sarah Stewart, & Aunt Leah’s Properties Executive Director, Jacqueline Dupuis; Bottom right: Supporters of She Thrives and the new laneway house opening

Thresholds: A Home to Grow In

Thresholds offers holistic, on-site support for mothers navigating pregnancy, parenting, and healing. Many of these mothers have experienced foster care or homelessness. Each woman works with staff to develop a life plan based on her goals for parenting, education, or employment.

93% maintain custody of their children
98% secure stable housing
90% re-engage in education or work
40.5% begin vocational training, jobs, or volunteer roles

This year we supported 12 moms and their 14 children. Thanks to your gifts, we are now able to expand our care to the new Laneway House. The need remains urgent, and the waitlist continues to grow.

Why This Matters

When a woman’s child is taken into government care, most often due to poverty, lack of support or inadequate housing, the impact is profound and generational. Your donation helps break that cycle. With stability, encouragement, and opportunity, women can keep their children and go on to lead, succeed, and thrive.

Ruby came to live at a Thresholds home in May 2024 while 6 months pregnant. She quickly became a source of warmth, care, and comfort to those around her. As a mentor by nature, Ruby looks out for others and leads with empathy, whether checking in on other moms, sharing insights, or spreading joy through her sense of humour.

She gave birth to her daughter in August and has embraced motherhood with love, protection, and a strong connection to her Indigenous identity. Her values of family, culture, and care shine through in everything she does.

Ruby’s presence is deeply felt at Aunt Leah’s. She shows up for others with courage and heart while preparing to pursue adult education and career goals. We’re honoured to celebrate her resilience, compassion, and constant support for her community.

Aunt Leah’s presents 5 youth awards to participants annually. The Leah Award is given in honour of our friend and long-time supporter Bruce Ambrose, who was known by his family for offering unconditional love and support, and by Aunt Leah’s for his wisdom, generosity, and dedication

Ruby won the Leah Award this year for offering unconditional love, thoughtfulness, and care to her daughter and her community.

With Gratitude

We’re humbled by the overwhelming commitment to strengthening the lives of vulnerable women. Every donor, business, volunteer, and partner who believes in the power of care and second chances is part of this success.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for helping women and children thrive.

We invite you to continue this journey with us — because when we lift up women, we lift up the whole community.