by Amberly Wrubleski | Nov 18, 2024 | News & Events
Giving Tuesday: Support First Responders & Their Families (Online Campaign – Canada Helps Platform (until December 3, 2024)
Event Description:
This Giving Tuesday, join us in showing gratitude and support for the brave first responders, veterans, and their families who selflessly serve our communities. As the nation’s emergency personnel and military heroes face increasing mental health challenges, your donation can provide vital resources and services that help them thrive.
About the Campaign:
At Legacy Place Society, we are dedicated to supporting those who serve and protect us every day. With your generosity, we can continue to offer essential mental health resources, transitional housing, wellness workshops, and crisis intervention services to first responders and veterans in need.
This Giving Tuesday, we’re focusing on:
- Mental Health Support: Provide access to crucial mental health resources for first responders and veterans facing the invisible wounds of service.
- Transitional Housing: Help provide safe and supportive housing for families in crisis.
- Wellness Workshops: Fund programs to promote overall well-being, resilience, and mental health education.
- Crisis Intervention: Ensure that emergency personnel and military families have access to immediate support during times of crisis.
How You Can Help:
- Donate: Your contribution, no matter the size, directly supports life-changing services. Many companies offer donation matching—check with your employer to maximize your impact.
- Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your network and encourage others to donate.
- Partner with Us: Learn about sponsorship and matching opportunities for businesses and organizations looking to support our heroes.
Why Giving Tuesday Matters:
Giving Tuesday is one of the most impactful days of the year for charitable organizations. It’s a time when individuals come together to give back to their communities, and this year, we’re focusing on the heroes who give so much for all of us. Your donation helps ensure that we can continue to provide essential services to first responders, veterans, and their families.
How Your Donation Helps:
- $50 provides one individual with access to a mental health workshop or counseling session.
- $100 ensures one family has a night of safe, supportive housing.
- $250 covers a full day of training for a first responder, ensuring they have the tools to manage their mental health and intervene when necessary.
- $500 funds one full ASIST workshop, equipping first responders with life-saving skills.
Every donation counts in building stronger, healthier communities for those who have given so much to protect and serve. Let’s make a difference together this Giving Tuesday.
For More Information:
Visit our campaign page on CanadaHelps to donate and learn more about our mission to support first responders, veterans, and their families. Together, we can help them heal and thrive.
by Amberly Wrubleski | Nov 5, 2024 | News & Events
2024 Legacy Place Society Annual General Meeting – Join Us to Learn About Our Impact and Growth
Join us for the 2024 Legacy Place Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) to learn about our achievements this year. Legacy Place Society, dedicated to supporting First Responders, Veterans, and their families, has made great strides in mental health, education, and community outreach. During this meeting, we’ll share the highlights of our programs and the impact we’ve made.
This year, we’ve expanded our housing programs, workshops, and mental wellness support. We’ve reached more communities and have seen positive outcomes from our events and initiatives.
Light refreshments will be available. Doors open at 5:45 pm for networking before the meeting begins. Whether you’ve been supporting us for years or are new to our cause, the AGM is a great opportunity to stay informed and engaged.
The meeting will be held both virtually and in person. To register and get the virtual meeting link or to attend in person, email info@legacyplacesociety.com. We welcome all members, supporters, and community members to join us.
Your participation will help us continue to support mental health and resilience for First Responders, Veterans, and their families. We look forward to seeing you there!
by Amberly Wrubleski | Oct 25, 2024 | News & Events, Press Release
Lethbridge, Alberta – On October 24, 2024, Legacy Place Society hosted its annual Lethbridge Suicide Awareness Conference, focusing on the unique mental health challenges faced by first responders. Hundreds of participants, including police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and military personnel, came together to improve mental wellness in their communities. Moreover, their collective efforts highlighted the importance of unity and resilience. As a result, the event fostered stronger connections and greater awareness of mental health challenges.
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among First Responders
The Lethbridge Suicide Awareness conference featured expert speakers and workshops that provided valuable resources and strategies for tackling mental health issues in high-stress professions. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that first responders face a higher risk of depression and PTSD due to their exposure to traumatic events. Therefore, to ensure adequate support, it is essential to prioritize education across all industries.This year was our first year in Lethbridge, and with a turnout of over 125 First Responders it showed the need for these kind of supports.
“Events like this are crucial,” said Diana Destejo, Executive Director of Legacy Place Society. “They provide a safe space for first responders to share their experiences and learn from one another.”
Key Highlights from the Conference
- Educational Workshops: Participants engaged in workshops focused on resilience-building, coping strategies, and understanding mental health challenges specific to first responders.
- Resource Distribution: Attendees received materials that support their mental health journeys.
- Community Support: The conference fostered connections among first responders, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the event.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Legacy Place Society actively enhances mental health awareness and support for first responders. Learn more about our future initiatives today or get involved by visiting our website or contacting us directly. Together, we will create a supportive community that prioritizes mental wellness and empowers first responders to thrive.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We extend our gratitude to the City of Lethbridge, The Rolling Barrage, Belairdirect Insurance, Government of Alberta, Mental Health Foundation of Alberta, and AUPE for their generous support.
Lethbridge hosts inaugural suicide awareness conference for first responders
by Amberly Wrubleski | Oct 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Weyerhaeuser Funding to Support ASIST for Resilience: First Responder Training Program
CALGARY, AB, October 7, 2024 – Legacy Place Society is pleased to announce the receipt of a $4,700 grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, which will directly benefit its ASIST for Resilience: First Responder Training Program. This funding will allow the delivery of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshops to 30 first responders and their families in the communities of Grand Prairie, Edson, and Drayton Valley.
Diana Festejo, Executive Director of Legacy Place Society, emphasized that this support will help first responders in rural and underrepresented areas gain the critical mental health tools needed to respond to crisis situations and foster resilience.
“This generous grant expands our reach, providing more first responders with the knowledge and support required to prevent suicide and tackle the mental health challenges they face daily,” Festejo shared.
The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund has a long history of supporting impactful community initiatives. With a commitment to providing essential resources, the fund has supported hundreds of organizations like Legacy Place Society in both rural and urban settings. Established in 1948, Weyerhaeuser has donated over $266 million through its formal giving program since its first donation in 1903.
For more information about the Weyerhaeuser grant application process, visit www.WY.com.
About Legacy Place Society
Legacy Place Society works to strengthen family resiliency and build legacies for those facing the unique challenges of first responders, veterans, military personnel, and their families. The organization provides transitional housing, mental health education, suicide prevention workshops, and confidential support services across Alberta.
About Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 10.5 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. Additionally, timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. Weyerhaeuser manages these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2023, we generated $7.7 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,300 people who serve customers worldwide. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
by Amberly Wrubleski | Sep 18, 2024 | Press Release
Canadian Western Bank Donates $7,500 to Support Disaster Relief and Wildfire Recovery
September 18, 2024 – Canadian Western Bank (CWB) has generously donated $7,500 to Legacy Place Society to support disaster relief efforts and wildfire recovery, with a focus on aiding first responders and affected communities during the recent Jasper wildfire. This critical funding ensures that emergency workers receive both the immediate resources and long-term support needed to manage crises effectively.
“When the Jasper wildfire hit this summer, it reinforced how essential it is to support emergency relief workers beyond traditional emergency funds,” said a representative from Canadian Western Bank. “We are proud to contribute to Legacy Place Society, helping provide accommodations, mental health resources, and rebuilding efforts for communities in need.”
The donation from CWB will play a key role in several areas of disaster response, including:
- Community Rebuilding: Helping to restore infrastructure and resources in fire-affected areas.
- Volunteer Fire Department Support: Ensuring departments are well-equipped to respond to emergencies.
- Mental Health for First Responders: Providing counseling, accommodations, and wellness programs to help first responders
Amberly Wrubleski, Fund Development Specialist for Legacy Place Society, expressed deep gratitude for the donation. “Canadian Western Bank’s support highlights their commitment to strengthening the backbone of disaster response: the first responders and emergency teams who face these crises head-on. Their funding enables us to provide crucial mental health support, accommodations, and long-term recovery assistance for both emergency workers and the families they serve.”
In addition to on-the-ground impact, Canadian Western Bank’s contribution will be featured on the disaster relief campaign page. CWB’s dedication to making a tangible difference ensures that first responders have the resources and care they need during and after disasters.
For Media Inquiries:
Legacy Place Society
Phone: 403-201-9945
Email: info@legacyplacesociety.com
