Lisa Angus has worked at Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) for 13 years. Well before she started, SGEI and the United Native Friendship Centre (UNFC) began partnering to adopt Fort Frances families in need over the holiday season.
Angus started to help with this process almost immediately. She and UNFC’s Jennifer Kivimaki now coordinate this effort together each year.
“You just want to help,” said Angus. “You wanna help anyone you can.”
The United Native Friendship Centre begins by identifying families who need support in the communities they serve. This year, SGEI is partnering with UNFC and two other organizations to adopt three families from Fort Frances, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout, respectively.
UNFC shares basic information with SGEI, such as the family having a single mom, four kids, and their ages, interests, and so on.
“The Friendship Centre will say, ‘We’ve got Mom; she’s a size medium and likes X, Y, Z,’” said Angus. “And same with the kids.”
SGEI uses its budget earmarked for this cause and divides the funds among the families they’ll support.
The organizations then use that money to buy a week’s worth of groceries for the families and use what’s left to purchase personalized presents for them all.
Some SGEI staff members choose to donate a portion of their December paycheques toward this cause. Others donate by cash or cheque, while others buy specific gifts to add to the pile.
“It’s a feel-good thing, right?” said Angus. “(We’re) helping out someone in need and getting them through the Christmas that we’re all fortunate to have and take for granted.”
UNFC will come to SGEI’s Rainy Lake Campus the week of December 15 to pick up the gifts and donations. They will then deliver those gifts to the Fort Frances family.
Do you want to become part of an organization where you can help support your community? Check out our employment opportunities here.