The Saint John Board of Trade is very pleased to announce the recipient for the Outstanding Business Achievement “Big Heart Award” category. The 27th annual awards dinner and presentations will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30th at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.
The Big Heart Award, established in 2003, recognizes those who are working to make this community a better place to live through their support of charitable or other community causes. This award is open to non-profit or charitable organizations, or to companies for their support (through time and money) of those organizations.
The independent judging panel has selected Hestia House as this year’s recipient of the Big Heart Award.
Since 1981 Hestia House has been providing a safe haven for women, and women with children, who are victims of family violence, Over those 30 years, more than 10,800 women and children have come through the doors of Hestia House seeking and finding food, shelter, safety and support, as well as the opportunity to break the cycle of abuse. A non-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors, Hestia House is funded by the Province of New Brunswick, the United Way of Greater Saint John, private and corporate donations, and various fundraising efforts throughout the year.
Hestia House is staffed 24 hours a day with nine full time employees, three relief workers, a child support worker and the executive director who provide lay counseling, referrals to community agencies and accompaniment to appointments with family court, criminal court, lawyers, income assistance and housing. All services are offered free.
A children’s program is operated on site in a special area of the house which has been designed to be inviting, fun, supportive and safe. The child support worker interacts with children and their mothers and offers referrals to community organizations which are designed to offer continuous programs to children after they leave the shelter. A 10-week children’s summer program has been particularly successful.
Abuse can take many forms: emotional, physical, sexual and financial. Making the break from an abusive partner is not easy and often the women face many barriers. Hestia House provides a non-judgmental supportive environment where women can make their own choices.
Previous recipients of the Big Heart Award were The Greater Saint John Community Foundation in 2003, the Irving companies in 2004, The United Way of Greater Saint John in 2005, the Saint John YM-YWCA in 2006, the Carpenters Training Centre in 2007, Canaport LNG in 2008, Key Industries in 2009, and the Saint John Kiwanis Club in 2010.
The Saint John Board of Trade is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.
For more information contact:
Imelda Gilman, President
Saint John Board of Trade
Tel: (506)634-4157 Fax: (506)632-2008
igilman@sjboardoftrade.com
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