The Marguerite Centre
Annual Impact Report
2015-16
Mission Statement
The Marguerite Centre fosters a healthier society by supporting women recovering
from addiction through a long-term residential program focusing on the healing of
mind, body and spirit.
A message from our Chair
As the Marguerite Centre enters its 15th year of operations, the Board is very proud of the work done by staff to support women
living with addictions. It has been a tough year due to financial instability, but significant work has been done towards a more
sustainable future.
We have a new strategic plan to help us continue as a centre of excellence supporting women living with addictions. It points the
way to greater financial sustainability, on-going collaboration with community partners, and the best, most inclusive care for
those individuals we support, now and in the years to come.
Work with government stakeholders to gain fair and transparent funding for the Centre is on-going. We hope that during this
coming year a sustainable funding formula is arranged. There are new fund development initiatives in the works, as we also
continue to reach out to our existing partners and donors to look at ways to best leverage their support for the Centre.
Our name has been changed from the Society of Women Healing from Addictions and Abuse to The Marguerite Centre Society of
Nova Scotia so that we are more clearly recognized in documents and on-line.
We would like to thank the many donors, volunteers, friends and stakeholders of the Centre, who have made their support felt in
many generous and caring ways over the past year. The board would also like to commend Lisa Mullin ED and the Centre staff for
their amazing commitment to the women at the Centre. We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure that all
women in Nova Scotia who need the Marguerite Centre are able to access the life-changing opportunity it offers.
Natalie Morris
A message from our Executive Director
This past year has been a roller coaster ride at The Marguerite Centre! This past year saw us significantly focus on our efforts to
attain financial parity with other recovery houses within the province. This created a period of uncertainty, not only for the general
public, but also the stakeholders, our residents and our staff. I am so grateful to have been part of the team that worked tirelessly
through the fall to come to the conclusion that in consideration of what was in the best interest of the women we provide service
to, we chose to remain open and are determined to find a ways to address our financial position.
It was exciting to be able to work with such a dedicated team of staff members, providing excellent service to the women of Nova
Scotia. Our team rallied together during the turmoil of possible closure and then once again to balance out the workload when we
had a long-time staff member retire. No matter what happens outside of the Centre, we have fantastic staff that not only
continues to deliver quality programming but consistently create a warm and safe atmosphere for our residents.
As Executive Director, I participated in a series of workshops with our board to create our new Strategic Plan; lending insight and
perspectives on daily operations. Our new plan will aid us to prevent “mission drift” and will help us work together to create
sound, sustainable work plans for the future.
Next year will be an exciting one for us. Utilizing our new strategic plan, we will be moving forward with renewed vigour in
fundraising while continuing to deliver the quality program we are known for.
I want to thank the board for their support throughout this past year and to the staff for their enthusiasm, their professionalism
and their suggestions on how we can continue to do better. I also wanted to thank our donors – your support enables us to
continue to be the place “where life begins again”.
Lisa Mullin
Testimonials
"The Marguerite Centre saved my life. For the
first time ever, I have a real chance at living life
sober because of the programs and life skills
that I have been taught". This resident is
currently seeking additional support in the
community through Addictions Services, Avalon
and mental health support. She has also been an
active participant at various AA support groups
within HRM. (Resident, The Marguerite Centre)
"I have tried treatment programs both in Canada
and abroad and have never been able to achieve
sobriety until entering the Marguerite Centre.
The program structure, facility and unwavering
support of the staff and counselors are
of unparalleled quality". - Throughout this
resident’s recovery at the Marguerite Centre she has
utilized Addictions Services and is a member of the AA
support group. (Resident, The Marguerite Centre)
I was a resident of Marguerite Centre back in
2009/10 and again in 2013/14 and we need this
centre for women and their addictions. I am 57
years old and the time I spent there I learned
more about myself and healing my body.
I am proud to say I now work out in Alberta on a
remote camp saving for a vehicle and to go back
to NS and buy myself a little home for retirement.
If it wasn't for the Marguerite Centre and their
wonderful dedicated staff I would not be here
today. (Past Resident, The Marguerite Centre)
“The Marguerite Centre
has helped me in many
ways. Before I went there
I could not imagine that I
would ever be well
enough to get my little girl
back. I cared nothing
about myself and my life
was focused on getting
enough crack to get me
through the day. I was
doubtful when I started
my stay at the Centre but
then I saw that the staff
really cared and that I was
not the only one
struggling when I met the
other residents. I stayed
the entire year and my
entire life changed. I now
have my own apartment a
job and my little girl back.
The Marguerite Centre
literally saved my life.”
(Past resident, The
Marguerite Centre)
Financial Sustainability
• We participated in a sustainability review conducted by the Department of Health and Wellness. The results of this review were
favourable for us and indicated that the areas of growth needed were already the areas the board has focused on this fiscal year. We
have completed a strategic plan and are using this plan to inform our business planning for the next 3 – 5 years.
•The Recovery House Strategy Group continued this past year with another extension of the current Service Level Agreement. As part
of our commitment to the outcomes of the sustainability review, collaborative work will begin with the Recovery House Group to
determine Service Delivery Standards throughout Fiscal 2016-17.
•We have continued to enjoy an expanded and enhanced relationship with Correctional Services Canada and continue to work closely
with the Provincial Parole Officer Supervisor. We have received positive feedback again this year with regard to our facility, our
programs and our cooperativeness with Corrections staff. This was demonstrated by parole officers from New Brunswick coming to
tour our facility and have lengthy discussions with us about our program and how we work collaboratively with Corrections.
•2015-16 was the second year of a 5 year funding grant from the United Way under the “Healthy Living” strategy. This grant is used to
support our healthy eating, physical exercise and gardening programming. Year 2 of this grant was $25,000.
•We had 2 funding grant proposasl fulfilled. The Flemming Charitable Foundation and HRM both supported our proposal to have the
driveway paved. This project was completed in October 2015.
•We continue our long-standing relationship with the Congregation of Notre Dame with their commitment of $25,000.
Volunteers
Building a volunteer base is an ongoing process. Currently we enjoy volunteer services through many facets:
•Board members (includes regular monthly meetings and sub-committee work)
•Drivers (transporting residents to community support group meetings, eg. AA and GA, resident appointments, eg.
medical, legal, etc.)
•Provision of holistic services (yoga, Reiki, hiking, massage therapy, jewelry making.)
•Program facilitation (sessions on Financial planning, Personal Safety, Nutrition and spirituality)
•Office work (assistance with answering phone, filing, photocopying)
•Donation collection, organization and distribution
•Emergency assistance (transporting residents required to go to hospital for medical emergencies)
•Additional individual supportive sessions with residents, as needed
The Centre was very fortunate to benefit from a Day of Caring, as organized through the United Way. A
variety of jobs including gardening, and yard work were accomplished through the efforts of employees with
WBLI.
Special Events
•Hep C Awareness Day – Halifax – we continued to provide a presence at the Native Friendship Centre with a booth at the
annual Hep C Awareness Day in May each year.
•Women In Networking – Halifax – charity of choice was TMC. We have struck up several connections from that meeting
that have resulted in several third party fundraisers.
• All Candidate Debate – Halifax – we worked in concert with several other women serving organizations from HRM to host
candidates from all political parties during the last federal election. Candidates were given gender based questions meant
to inform the voting public of their stance on women’s issues here in HRM. The event was well attended.
• United Way Kickoff events – Halifax/Dartmouth – we participate each year with a booth at each of the Dept. of National
Defense kick-off events.
•Think Tank – Halifax – October 2015, we convened several community members and stakeholders for a day of
brainstorming, and idea sharing on topics such as: fundraising, staffing, marketing, and branding.
•Nova Fair – Truro – November 2015, we participated once again at the community fair held in the gymnasium of the Nova
Institute for Women. This day allows us to answer questions, pass out information and reach the women incarcerated in
Nova.
•Christmas Tree donation – Halifax – December 2015, we had the honour of being selected by the Acting Minister of
Natural Resources, Zach Churchill to be the recipient of a donated Christmas Tree.
•International Women’s Day Event – CFB Stadacona, Halifax – March 2016, booth set up at this event that was well
attended by military members from CFB Stadacona and HMCS Dockyards.
2015 Christmas Tree donation
Presentation by Acting Minister of Natural
Resources, Zach Churchill
Statistical Findings
Occupancy
Average occupancy rate: 62.9%. *note – during Q3 and early Q4 there were no new intakes as a risk management measure of possible closure
Removing months with admission anomaly, average occupancy rate: 70.4%
Resident who stayed less than 15 days: 6
Removing short term stays , the average length of stay: 103 days.
Number residents over the entire Fiscal Year
30
Total number of new admissions during year
24
Number of planned departures
11
As of April 1, 2016 there were 9 residents at the Centre.
Place of origin
The demographics of our clientele continue to hail from outside the HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality). The breakdown regarding the place of
origin is as follows: HRM – 13; Valley – 1; South Shore – 4; New Glasgow – 6; Cape Breton – 3; Out of Province – 3.
Age of residents
As The Marguerite Centre is an adult facility, the age requirement for admission is 19 years. This past year the age of our residents has been
more consistent with a more even spread across the age spectrum. The break down in age at admission is: 19-29 years – 11 30-39 years – 8
60+ - 1
40-49 years – 5 50-59 years – 5
The youngest resident during this fiscal period was 21 and the oldest was 65.
Type of addiction
Alcohol and opiates were the most prevalent primary addiction this fiscal year. At the time of admission, the primary substance of choice is
listed as: Alcohol – 20 Cocaine: 2
Opiates - 8 Cannabis – 0
Payment of Services
There continues to be a majority of clients on income assistance. Of the 30 residents during this fiscal year, 20 were paid through the
Department of Community Services, 2 from the Correction Services Canada, and 8 were self-pay.
Personnel
Total of 9 personnel on staff
•1 Executive Director
•1 Program and Resident Coordinator
•1 full time Team Lead
•2 part time Case Managers
•1 Outreach Coordinator
•2 Relief Support Workers
During FY 2015-16 there was 1 staff retirement in December 2015
During FY 2015-16 – 1 staff member was hired as the Wellness
Coordinator in a 6 month trial basis. The staff member has since
moved on and the position remains unfilled with no impact to
program delivery. There was 1 new hire to the relief roster.
A message from our Treasurer
I would like to start out by thanking our supporters, volunteers and staff: it’s only through your support and efforts that the
Centre continues to operate in our community.
As many will remember from last Christmas, this has been a quite a year for the Centre: from the lows of having to contemplate
potential closure to the highs of receiving a number of significant donations from our supporters. The Centre’s staff have
continued to a great job of managing the operating expenses of the Centre, so it would appear that any further cuts would have
an impact on program delivery.
While we appreciate the continued support of the Department of Health and Wellness, the unfortunate reality is that programs
for women continue to be funded at a level that is significantly below those for men. While I can appreciate that there were
historical reasons for the differences in funding, the reality is that this organization needs an increase in its core funding in order
to not only to survive, but to have a chance to really thrive.
As you can see from our financial statements, we have ended the year in a stronger position than a year ago, and as part of our
commitment to improved financial sustainability, we will be proposing that the Centre adopt an Operating Reserve Policy.
Known in some circles as a “Rainy Day Fund”, an Operating Reserve allows the Centre to pool funds to ensure the stability of
the mission, programs, employment, and ongoing operations of the organization and to provide an internal source of funds for
organizational priorities such as building repair and improvement, program opportunity, and capacity building.
As a Board, we will continue to investigate ways to improve the financial situation at the Centre. I feel that we are up for the
challenge, with the help of the broader stakeholder community.
Angus Bonnyman, CPA, CA
Treasurer
*** Complete set of audited financial statements available upon request***
IKEA
Donations
Supporters
Archdiocese of Halifax/Yarmouth
Halifax Women in Business Network
Catholic Women's’ League
Ikea
Correctional Services Canada
Knights of Columbus
Congregation of Notre Dame
Nova Scotia Nurses Union
Deloitte Foundation
Royal Canadian Legion
Department of Health and Wellness
Sisters of Charity
Department of Justice
SMU Faculty Union
Estate of James A. Cosman
The Masonic Lodge Timberlea
Flemming Foundation
United Way of Halifax
Halifax Regional Municipality
Other contributors include:
Winners
Home Sense
Pseudio/Samuel and Co.
Private donors – we are so fortunate to have
caring individuals who continue to choose The
Marguerite Centre as their charity of choice
Exciting Funding News!
Angel donates $50,000!!!
Family sponsors room in honour of Sister
Mary Morris
Board of Directors 2015-16
Officers:
Natalie Morris, Physiotherapist- Chair
June Bowser, Dept. of National Defence - Vice-Chair
Mary Morris, CND, Addictions Counsellor (Ret) - Secretary
Angus Bonnyman, CPA, CA, Accountant – Treasurer
Directors:
Anne Marie Baker (Past Chair)
Dept. of National Defence
Angel Rafuse,
Accountant, Delloite Touche
Kathy-Lee Brickenden
High School Teacher
Evelyn Williams, SC
Director, Seton Spirituality Centre
Vida Doucet,
Public Health Nurse (Ret’d), N.S. Depart. of Health
Want to Know More?
Visit our Website at
www.themargueritecentre.com
Contact our Executive Director at 902-444-3089
or [email protected]