The Fredericton Homeless Shelters' Blog

FLASH Fashion Show

2011-08-31T15:12:00.002-03:00

Thanks to our generous event sponsors, donors, models, retailors, and volunteers for making this another successful event for the Fredericton SPCA and Fredericton Homeless Shelters. Hope you can join us again in 2013!

FLASH Fashion Show Countdown

2011-08-23T09:12:00.002-03:00

The countdown is on for Thursday's FLASH Fashion Show. Join us as local celebrities strut their stuff on the 'dog-walk' with their canine companions. You'll also have a chance to bid on fabulous live auction packages thanks to Shur-Gain Feeds'n Needs, GoodLife Fitness, The Urban Almanac General Store and MSA Conservation

FLASH Fashion Show

2011-08-12T12:24:00.004-03:00

The Live and Silent Auction packages are looking great, thanks to our generous donors. Olympic medalist Marianne Limpert and her dog Coco Chanel will headline the show. Other models include New Maryland-Sudbury West MLA Jack Carr, City Councillor Jordan Graham, Saint Mary's First Nation Chief Candice Paul, Oromocto Mayor Fay Tidd, and 4 UNB V-Red athletes. Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas will provide opening remarks. Come join us for this incredibly entertaining evening...you just don't know what the dogs will do!

It's the New Year

2011-01-12T13:07:00.004-04:00

First let me wish everyone a very Happy New Year. It was a very quite Holiday season at the Shelters. We saw our occupancy rate drop to 25 in the Men's Shelter and 3 at Grace House. On Christmas Day, the men were surprised with a large meal that was delivered by one of the lovely families of Fredericton. As soon as I arrived back to work, everyone had to tell me about the generosity of this family overwhelmed the clients. At Grace House, the ladies were also treated to a Christmas dinner with all the fixings. All the clients were also given the gifts that were donated so thanks again to all the people who gave all these donations.

Our major fundraising activities during the months of November and December were successful again this year. Our mail-out campaign saw responses from all areas within the greater Fredericton area and our Buy-A-Night campaign was also a success. We had a goal of selling 2000 Buy-A-Night cards and we are still in the process of getting total count however, we are estimating having a total number sold at 1500 and everyone involved agree this is very good concerning this being our 1st year of goal setting.

We have also started meeting in regards to some of our upcoming fundraising activities that are held through out the year. We would like to have some new faces on our committees so please give me a call or send me an email, if you would be interested in helping outs.

Christmas is almost here

2010-12-23T17:34:00.005-04:00

Well last night the men and women of the Shelters had one of the nicest suppers I have ever seen. The Maryville Heritage Centre was beautifully decorated and everyone was really in for a lovely meal and no one was disappointed. Our resident Chef, with the help of some volunteers, served up roast beef, glazed ham, meat pies, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots and peas. For dessert there was apple and pumpkin pie along with ginger bread with whip cream. My heart was filled with joy when many of the guests commented that this was one of the best dinners they had ever had. This is the start of a new tradition for the Shelters. Las but not least, I want to thank all the volunteers for all their hard work and a special thanks to Karen and her family for all the gift bags for the residents.

BUY-A-NIGHTS

Just one more day left for the buy-a-night sales. We are at the Boyce Market from 7:00 to 13:00. You will be able to find us inside. We are also at the Regent Mall from opening to close.

From all of us at the Shelters we want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in the upcoming new year.

Christmas at Shelters

2010-12-18T17:56:00.005-04:00

Well Christmas is quickly approaching and it is quite a busy time at the Shelters. The residents of Fredericton are very giving at this time of year and it is greatly appreciated. Our Buy-A-Night Campaign is 'hitting it's stride' and the volunteers are very busy trying to keep up. On Friday, the employees of KPMG graciously offered to help us out at our multiple Buy-A-Night locations. A big thank you goes out to them. Please watch for our tables at both the Regent and Kings Place Malls and the Boyce Market and if you can't find us there please give me a call at the Shelter.

One thing that is very near and dear to my heart is our upcoming Christmas Supper. Last week, Peter, a current resident at the Men's Shelter, came in to see me and asked what I thought about him cooking a dinner for the Men and Women at the Shelters. Peter is a certified chef so I jumped right on this one. What a great idea, one of the residents wanting to try give his friends a little gift during this season. Everything has fallen together and we are charging towards the finish line. Many of the items on our grocery list has been donated however we are still looking for 20lbs of potatoes, frozen peas and 6 dozen dinners rolls. Please give me a call (462-9806) if you are able to help out with any of these items.

Welcome to our new website

2008-11-03T10:58:00.008-04:00

Welcome to our new website. The first thing you have probably noticed is that we have changed our name to the Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc.

And we have changed our logo.

The name change has been made to more accurately reflect what we do - there has been confusion in the past with the word "Emergency" as some people think it refers to natural disasters such as the recent floods. However, our mission remains the same: “To provide a safe, clean and supportive environment for the homeless.”

The change in our logo symbolizes two roofs to represent our two shelters, the Men's Shelter and Grace House for Women and incorporates our new name.

The purpose of this blog is to share information and opinions on issues directly impacting the Shelters and our clients. It will cover subjects such as mental health and addiction services; affordable housing; income levels; government services; the "politics" of homelessness; what can we do to reduce or eliminate chronic homelessnes in our community and in our province.

I expect that at times it will be philisophical but it will also often be very direct.

While respecting the privacy of our clients, we will try to bring you stories of the struggles and successes of the men and women we shelter.

And of course, I welcome your feedback - positive, negative or neutral.