Magical Christmas important at MHWSS

By Peggy Revell on December 8, 2017.

Surprises from Santa and creating happy memories.

That’s what Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society staff aim for when Christmas rolls around.

“Kids are worried that Santa won’t find them. We hear that a lot,” said MHWSS executive director Natasha Carvalho, speaking about how staff and the greater community come together to make Christmas time special for MHWSS clients.

For those at the shelter, there’s a big Christmas dinner, filled stockings, holiday decor and a trip to see the lights around the city.

Then there’s the proverbial tree topper: The adopt-a-family program.

“I think for a lot of families, the adopt-a-family program is the difference between Dec. 25 being Dec. 25, and Dec. 25 being Christmas,” said MHWSS community relations co-ordinator Bridgit Dufort. Last year, 108 families and 193 children were “adopted” by community members, while this year the number is at 137 families and 241 children.

Often the requested items aren’t even frivolous, said Carvalho, they’re basic household and hygiene items, and many women don’t even ask for anything for themselves.

For Charity, who became a MHWSS client two years ago, this is the first year her son will really understand what Christmas is about.

“(The program) actually restored my faith in humanity, because I was that anxious about Christmas, and worried about disappointing my son,” she said. “It was important to me that he had good memories.”

She’s excited to see her child’s face when he wakes up to the presents — and has even started a new tradition of buying a tree each year as big as her son.

“You’re not always sure how you’ll make Christmas work,” said Susan, a client with the MHWSS for three years. This is the first year she won’t have her children with her for on Christmas Day due joint custody arrangements.

“You just do what you need to make it work,” she said. “It works out. It’s still the holiday season. The time together is the most important.”

Having a program like adopt-a-family is a “huge relief,” she said. “It really takes the pressure off, no matter when you celebrate it.”

For Sonia, who became a client with the MHWSS in June, Christmas up until now had been something celebrated in a two-parent household.

“This year, I was thinking how was I going to do it?” she said. Then staff told her about the program.

“I was kind of surprised, and taken back,” she said, including when she was asked what she wanted for herself for Christmas. “It was overwhelming. You feel really grateful.”

Now she can focus on spending time with her children.

“We’re creating our own new memories, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Charity added another support she’s found useful during the holidays is MHWSS’s 24-hour helpline — 403-529-1091 or toll free at 1-800-661-7949.

And all three encouraged women to reach out to the MHWSS if they are in need of help, and that there are resources available for them.

Adopt-a-family is made possible through the 134 sponsors within the community — from large corporations down to families forgoing buying gifts for each other and instead sponsoring a family in need, said Dufort.

“We really appreciate that the community steps up,” said Carvalho.

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