IntroductionAs we step into 2025, we reflect on the incredible milestones of the past year. 2024 was a promising year full of exciting stories. We are forever grateful for every single donor who contributed to our causes. Your generosity has been the driving force behind the impactful work we’ve accomplished this year. Donations HighlightsA special thanks to: Sutherland Foundation Western Financial Group Communities Foundation Global Change for Children Society Fraser Valley REALTORS Charitable Foundation
The Sutherland Foundation generously contributed $10,000 to support our Early Years Centre programs in our new building. With these funds, we covered supplies, snacks for children attending the drop-in programs, and laptops for the Healthiest Babies Possible (HBP) program staff to better serve families. The $5,000 grant from the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation covered the remaining costs of amenities in our brand-new building, Habitat@81st. Christine Mohr (left), CEO of Options Community Services, receiving the cheque from Suki Sidhu (right), Regional Manager of the Western Coast Insurance Services Ltd. |
Moreover, the Global Change for Children Society generously supported our Special Services to Children and Their Families (SSCF) Program with over $10,000 to purchase much needed sensory items to create a more engaging and supportive environment for children with developmental or physical disabilities and/or autism. Some of the items purchased with the grant given by the Global Change for Children Society. |
Lastly, the Fraser Valley REALTORS Charitable Foundation gave us a $20,000 grant to fund our Youth Day Camp this Summer. These camps target at-risk children and youth and offer a fun, engaging environment to learn and improve social skills and connections with other youth during school breaks throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful for the support from these foundations and couldn’t be more excited about working with them. Gamechangers Fund – A game changing difference in many lives The Gamechangers fund – which was created thanks to the Women of Options 2022 campaign - is dedicated to supporting youth-at-risk. It offers quick and timely financial assistance and other support services as needed to young people in need. In 2024, we disbursed over $32,000 to 28 applicants. Funds were requested mostly to pay for essential needs, such as rent, groceries and transportation, as well as winter clothing and school supplies. Clients have shared that the funds have helped them keep warm during winter, buy clothes and food, and to be successful with their school studies and job search. |
One of our clients, who came to Canada in 2023 to reunite with his mother after five years apart, faced numerous challenges, including strained family dynamics and commuting daily from Surrey to Chilliwack to attend school. Despite these obstacles and the loss of his grandmother, he remained determined to graduate. The Gamechangers program provided vital support, covering three months of rent, a $500 food gift card, and a bus pass, enabling him to participate in his graduation ceremony. Now, he plans to pursue a career in mechanics, expressing deep gratitude for the program's help in achieving this milestone. The application process consists of three simple steps: 1. A youth worker submits the application form on behalf of the youth at-risk to the Gamechangers committee for review. 2. The Gamechangers committee reviews the request. 3. If the application is approved, the youth at-risk receives the funds and later is asked to give an optional interview to help us understand the impact the funds had in their lives and what we can do better to continue supporting youth at-risk. |
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Entrepreneurs of Options Campaign and Building Hope Gala ConcertThe Building Hope Gala Concert, which took place on September 28, 2024 at the Bell Performing Arts Center, was a “smash hit” -- from Ranj Singh to Twin Flames to Jann Arden, the acts were all amazing. We raised awareness about Options and attracted interest from several individuals and organizations that are eager to support our work in the future. |
Ranj Singh & The Discriminators performing at the Building Hope Gala Concert. |
The duo Twin Flames performing at the Gala. |
Jann Arden performing at the Building Hope Gala Concert. |
A special thanks to the wonderful sponsors that made this event happen: Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society BM Group Isle of Mann Property Group Schmunk Gattsmith & Associates City of Surrey Apcon Group Coast Capital Savings Peterson Group The Brick and Whirlpool RBC Dominion Securities Realtime CPA South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce
This gala kicked off our next affordable housing campaign called Entrepreneurs of Options. We now have 37 Entrepreneurs on board committed to the work we do at Options. These Entrepreneurs significantly contributed to our Gamechangers campaign as well, and we are very thankful for their support all along. Now, they will be focused on raising funds for our new housing initiative. A selected number of our Entrepreneurs of Options (left to right): Adam Smith, Kal Grewal, Anupum Gill, Ginny Hasselfield (Director of Development at Options Community Services), Mandy Shergill, Bonnie Moy, Judy Higginbotham, Anthony Manning, Michelle Bennett, Roop Kooner, and Rasinder Kaur. |
Donations Report – Holiday SeasonWe had wonderful results during the holidays to help our clients have a safe, warm, and special holiday season. We are extremely grateful for every single donor who gave during the season. Service Area | Total Amount Raised | Emergency Shelters | $6,605.34 | Transition Houses | $15,420.00 | Christmas Hampers – Gift Cards | $17,100.00 | Immigrant Services | $17,378.02 | General Donations | $39,084.71 | Total | $95,588.07 |
Emergency SheltersThe funds raised for Emergency Shelters were used towards essential supplies for the homeless, such as blankets, sweatshirts/sweatpants, socks, gloves, hats, boots, rain gear, bottled water, and prepackaged snacks. Transition HousesIn our Transition Houses, several women residing there with their children were able to purchase basic needs, such as kitchen essentials and bedding to settle into their new lives. In addition, they were provided with gift cards to purchase gifts for their children. Christmas HampersA total of 200 families and 15 singles received hampers during Christmas, along with gift cards amounting to a total of $12,400. These hampers and gift cards provided essential support, bringing joy and relief to families in need during the holiday season. Immigrant ServicesOur Immigrant Services clients received multiple gift cards and in-kind donations to celebrate the holiday season in a special way. General DonationsLastly, we allocated the general donations to our emergency fund, ensuring flexibility to direct them toward the programs most in need in 2025. We are also very grateful for the organizations who donated in-kind gifts to our clients at Immigrant Services and Emergency Shelters: Leticia Nogueira Fraga (left), Administrative Assistant, and Michelle Bryson (right), Senior Manager of Homelessness Services, with a carload of donations received from RCMP E Division on the way to the emergency shelters. |
Immigrant Services clients expressed their gratitude through heartfelt digital cards: In addition, with the support of a long-standing donor, we were able to purchase two Instant Language Assistant (ILA) devices to enhance our Immigrant Services with real-time translation. Our clients require services in 46 different languages, which previously posed a significant barrier to helping them navigate their new environment. These translation devices now allow staff and clients to communicate instantly, making our essential services more accessible and inclusive. ILA Devices are a powerful tool to bridge language gaps |
| A special shout-out to Anoop Khosla, one of our Board Directors and incredible donor who has been supporting our work for years. Anoop has been a Board Director since 2019 and has a solid background in Management within a manufacturing environment. His foundation pledged $250,000 to support our Gamechangers fund over 10 years. Moreover, each year he commits to supporting different programs, such as Christmas Hampers, Immigrant Services, and our first housing campaign that led to our build Habitat@81st. We thank him for his generosity over the years! |
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