We are all Treaty people: As we live and work on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories we pay respect to the Indigenous ancestors of this place and embrace the opportunity to affirm our collective commitment to reconciliation.
SASKATOON, SK
June 15, 2023
HOPE’S HOME IS OPENING SASKATOON’S FIRST MEDICALLY INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE CENTER WITH KICKOFF GIFT FROM JIM PATTISON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Hope’s Home Announcement
As the only medically inclusive child care center in Canada, Hope’s Home provides care where kids with complex medical and typical needs learn, grow and thrive. With on-site nurses that provide medical care to children, Hope’s Home is a national leader filling a gap that exists in child and infant healthcare. Since 2005, Hope’s Home has been supporting families outside of a hospital setting in Regina, Warman and Prince Albert.
Hope’s Home will be expanding medically inclusive child care to Saskatoon and kicked off a capital campaign with a special gift announcement from Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
To continue providing the best care for children with complex medical needs across Saskatchewan, Hope’s Home is launching “There’s No Place Like Hope” capital campaign, with an $8 million fundraising goal to open Saskatoon’s first medically inclusive child care center in 2024. Renovations are currently underway at 217 Fairmont Drive.
“For many years, there has been a significant need for accessible child care in Saskatoon for families raising children with complex medical needs,” says Jacqueline Tisher, Founder and CEO of Hope’s Home. “Through the support of the Ministries of Education, Social Services, and Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority, we are excited to open this new center and to make a difference in the lives of Saskatoon families who need it most.”
The Partnership
To provide the best health care for kids with critically complex medical needs beyond the walls of the hospital, Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation (JPCHF) is partnering with Hope’s Home to provide specialized medical, therapy, sensory, and accessible equipment as well as programs that are necessary and vital to meet the diverse needs of the kids that both organizations serve. This partnership also places a family-focused approach with a daytime respite option for families and caregivers outside Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to partner with Hope’s Home by providing a $700,000 gift towards the specialized pediatric equipment and accessible medical fixtures required within this unique facility. In addition, JPCHF received a donor-designated gift of $300,000 in support of caring for critically complex pediatric health care needs and programming for Hope’s Home.
Brynn Boback-Lane, President & CEO of Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation stated, “As a provincial Foundation, working with Hope’s Home showcases collaboration that has a direct impact on the health of Saskatchewan kids. Hope’s Home is an arm of provincial children’s health care, aligning with our Foundation’s mission, strategic directions and demonstrates that through the fostering of collaborative support, we can promote and positively improve health for our province’s children. A heartfelt thank you to Bev and Duane Smith for your generous commitment in recognizing the work of both organizations and enabling a continuum of care opportunity through our collective efforts.”
“For many years, Bev and I have been supporters of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. It is our desire to support leading edge provincial organizations focused on the needs of children and this partnership between JPCHF and Hope’s Home meets our personal philanthropic goals. The JPCHF’s purpose is to focus on the whole needs of the child and the arm of support from Hope’s Home, absolutely fits with the common purpose these two organizations share. We are thrilled to see a one-of-a-kind facility in Canada provide an environment where children with very complex medical needs are given a chance to learn, thrive and make friends while at the same time assisting their families with the physical and emotional stress they experience. This partnership is also an exceptional example where people across the province can come together to find innovative solutions and take action to meet the critical care and respite needs of children and their families,” said Bev and Duane Smith. “We are so thankful for our partnership with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation and the work we have been able to accomplish together across the province and now in Saskatoon as we care for children with complex medical needs.” said Jacqueline Tisher, Founder & CEO, Hope’s Home.
“There’s No Place Like Hope” Capital Campaign
With renovations underway, a total of $9.4 million is needed to bring inclusive child care to Saskatoon. The Government of Saskatchewan’s, Ministry of Education has provided funding to support this new licensed medically inclusive child care center. Thanks to these partnerships and with the generosity of the community, $3 million has been raised towards the “There’s No Place Like Hope” capital campaign to date. Together, we are all meeting the unique needs of our children.
The new Saskatoon location will feature two separate centers caring for 144 kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years old. Spaces will be held for kids with complex medical needs making this center an extension of pediatric healthcare. On-site nursing care, early childhood educators, developmental workers, and physical development consultants will provide Saskatoon families with a safe and inclusive environment where children receive the care they need.
To learn more and to support the “There’s No Place Like Hope” capital campaign visit hopeshome.org.
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Hope’s Home Media Inquiries
Danielle Bradnam
Marketing and Communication Manager
Hope’s Home
306.992.2184
Dbradnam@hopeshome.org
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation Media Inquiries:
Haley Buhs
Communications Director
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation
306.931.9701
haley@pattisonchildrens.ca
Curious about childcare at Hope’s Home?
Take a look at just how amazing our Early Learning & Childcare centres really are. Our centres follow the Reggio Emilia curriculum and our environments reflect that. We love open-ended activities and toys for our kiddos and setting up displays and learning activities that contribute to the Project Approach.
Each centre is designed to be completely inclusive for all children, regardless of any complex medical or developmental need they have.
Regina South Early Learning & Childcare Centre
Regina North Early Learning & Childcare Centre
If you have any questions regarding the daycare centre or want more information about availability, please contact your local centre:
- Regina South (JP II):
- Call: 306.205.8412
- Email: regina.childcare@hopeshome.org
- Regina North (Rosewood):
- Call: 306.522.1516
- Email: rosewood.childcare@hopeshome.org
Covid-19 has not been a good time.
I’m sure everyone is exhausted, bored, stressed, and mad over yet another lockdown. This year has been tough on everyone, and for our staff it has meant isolated days spent in the house. Usually they are outside, spending time in the community, or attending events and activities. But since many of the kiddos are at a higher risk, they’ve had to be extra cautious with where they can go. So our staff had to get creative over the past year to try and find ways to still make the days fun and exciting. At times this has meant camping out in the backyard, taking up gardening, and scrolling through Pinterest for new craft ideas.
So it was a very exciting day that the mobile vaccine doc came to our Saskatoon home last week to vaccinate 28 of our staff!!
Vaccinated = Happier Days Ahead
There was a very happy buzz at the house while everyone was getting vaccinated. We also had one of our kids get vaccinated as well!
Staff gathered on the front lawn in the sunshine and visited while distanced. Some had to bring their little ones and they took turns keeping an eye on them in their parents’ car when they went in for their shot. It was the first time the whole team had been together since last spring when we held an outdoor staff meeting 🙂🌞❤️
We know that there are brighter days ahead and we can’t wait for time when its finally safe to start enjoying our community again!!
Since Hope’s Home is the first medically integrated daycare in Canada, we often get a lot of questions.
We frequently get asked questions about our organization and exactly how it works. To makes things easier, we have compiled a list of 5 frequently asked questions so the answers are all in one place! Here we go:
1. How do we classify as a non-profit even though we charge daycare fees?
This is one of the number one questions we get asked! Although we charge daycare fees (which are competitive to every other childcare centre), they don’t begin to fully cover our costs. Since we provide integrated and inclusive childcare, this requires more staff than a typical daycare. On top of hiring Early Childhood Educators, we also hire Developmental Workers, Nurses, Physical Development Consultants, Administrative Staff, and Nutrition Specialists. Therefore, in order to cover costs, we need help from donors, partners, and the Government to fund our programs.
2. Is there a complex medical or developmental need that is beyond our staff’s scope of practice or capability?
We pride ourselves in having trained nursing staff on the floor at all times. However, most of the time, these children require additional special care. This question is decided upon on a case by case basis. Below are two examples:
- If the child had a very complex condition that required direct one-on-one care, it would depend on if we can fund the proper staffing for him/her and get additional funding from the Ministry of Education.
- If a child had a form of autism, we would do an assessment to see if our environment is a good match for him/her. Children with autism often find the daycare environment over-stimulating. This would be a situation where we would see if attending our Early Learning & Childcare centre was in the best interest of the child.
However, we do our absolute best to accommodate all children who want to attend our centres and we will go above and beyond to find the right way to acclimate your child to his/her new environment.
3. Does my child have to have a complex medical or developmental need to attend the daycare centre?
Of course not! That’s what makes Hope’s Home so special – our integrated and inclusive daycare model. Children with complex medical or developmental needs get to interact, play, and have the same opportunities as typically developing children.
However, we often have a waitlist for our centres. And since there aren’t other childcare options for children with complex medical or developmental needs, they do have priority admission.
4. What if my child needs extra support?
If a child has a developmental need and requires a little extra love and support, Hope’s Home can help the family apply for an EA Grant (Enhanced Accessibility Grant). This is provided through the Ministry of Education that helps us fund an extra staff member, specifically for your child!
5. I’m interested in volunteering for your organization, where do I sign up?
Unfortunately, due to the complexity of some of our children and the specialized training our staff get to properly care for them, we don’t take volunteers to come directly volunteer with our children. However, there will be times when we need help and we will put a call out on social media for volunteers then. So make sure you’re following us on Instagram or Facebook so you don’t miss an opportunity! Some examples of volunteers we have needed in the past include:
- Help cleaning up our backyard play area
- Working a bbq or bottle drive to help raise funds
- Painting/Renovations at our homes
Have more questions about Hope’s Home? Comment down below!
We are so excited to announce that Hope’s Home Regina South has been selected as Best Daycare in Regina!
The best part about the Consumer Choice Awards is that the recipients are nominated and voted on by YOU. All our lovely parents, donors, staff, volunteers, and supporters chose us. It makes all our hard work worth it, knowing that the community we serve believes in us, and our mission, vision, and values.
We are so proud of the work we are doing and we can’t wait to continue to provide these invaluable services to our community.
Thank you Regina! ❤️
Nicole Cook has been with Hope’s Home since the early days of the organization.
She’s watched it grow from the little home daycare in Jacque’s house, to seeing the organization expand across the province. For 14 years, Nicole proved to be an integral and irreplaceable team member as she guided Hope’s Home as our Chief Operating Officer.
It is a very sad day for us as we announce that Nicole’s last day with Hope’s Home will be January 15th as she has accepted her new role as the Associate CEO for Cowessess First Nations Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge. It is the first Nation in Canada to assert its jurisdiction under the Bill-C92 Canada Act. Nicole will be part of the management team for the Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge as a liaison between programs, operations, and overall development. After 14 years with Hope’s Home, Nicole is expanding her leadership skills and taking her extensive experience to continue to support and care for her number one passion – children.
Nicole came to Hope’s Home in October 2006 as a mom looking for childcare for her son Ethan. She then became an LPN in Hope’s Home and grew in various leadership roles until she became the Chief Operating Officer in 2013. Nicole has incredible vision and a knack for turning innovative ideas into reality. Her love for finding efficiencies has helped ensure the viability of a fast-growing non-profit organization, that strives to meet the never-ending needs and community demand with limited resources. She has provided oversight and leadership in the areas of finance, human resources to the day-to-day operations of nursing and early childhood education.
The 14-year journey at Hope’s Home has been filled with joy, heartache, perseverance, loss, laughter, tears, frustration, growth, challenges, and huge success! Well done Nicole for your contributions to the children, families, and staff of Hope’s Home.
“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children. The warrior, for us, is the one who sacrifices him(her)self for the good of others. His(Her) task is to take care of the elderly, the defenceless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.” ~Sitting Bull.
Hope’s Home will not be the same without Nicole, but we are so excited and proud of her for taking on this new endeavour and excited for what the future holds. We know she will join this new organization with so much spirit and strength, just as she did with Hope’s Home.
We love you so much.
Best wishes, and good luck,
Your entire Hope’s Home Family.
Happy New Year! 🎇
Before we leave 2021 behind, we want to take a moment to reflect on the year.
2021 was another year of unique challenges as we continued to navigate the pandemic, putting our kiddo’s health and safety as our top priority. We are proud of our ability to remain open during the most critical parts of the pandemic to support parents and families. We’ve had plenty of highs and lows navigating the storm, but we have done it together.
One of those high points was delivering brand new accessible vans for our Regina and Prince Albert Supportive Living Homes. None of which would have been possible without Affinity CU, Prince Albert Canadian Tire and a generous personal donation. ♥
We finally came back with a blend of in-person and virtual events for Swinging with the Stars in both Regina and Prince Albert, and hosted our 8th annual Charity Golf Tournament in Prince Albert. It feels SO GOOD to be back, in whatever capacity we can manage!
Above all, we’ve kept our kiddos at the center of everything we do. We show up every day for them. To see them learn, grow, hit milestones, celebrate their success and allow them to teach us about life from their perspective. We are reminded daily that each child is unique and requires different support than the child next to them. We show up for the lightbulb moments, and for the hard days too.
To our staff. You are without question the backbone of Hope’s Home. You are there every day. You understand our kiddos, you fight for them, you make sure they are included in their community and you love them as your own.
To our kiddos. You are the reason we show up every day. You teach us so much about life. You are our inspiration and our light on the hard days. You always give us a reason.
Thank you 2021. For the good and the bad, and all of the in between.
Look out 2022, we’re coming for ya! 🍾
#hopeshome #diversity #inclusion #inclusivechildcare #inclusivedaycare #yxe #ypa #yqr #warman #nurselove #eceappreciation #newyear2022 #newyears
Merry Christmas Hope’s Home family!
Tis the season for making magical memories with family and friends. It is a time to celebrate the joy, wonder and reflect on the challenges of 2020. What a year it has been! I am certain each one of us are looking forward to 2021 and hoping this new year will be different.
As we reflect, let us remember those that we have lost. My thoughts and prayers are with Kanye and Thomas’ families. It is very hard to lose someone you love. Especially when they are so young. May Christmas be a time of healing for each of you who carry the heartbreak of loving such precious souls. Be comforted in the fact you held the hands of angels and we are better people for it.
We are so blessed by the children of Hope’s Home and by the incredible caregivers that pour their heart and souls into the lives of others each day. Thank you so much for being the hands and voice of love and comfort for our future…our children.
I want to wish you a season filled with comfort, fun, happiness and magical moments with your loved ones. Hold each other tight and remember time is so precious. May 2021 be a year of hope and new beginnings!
God bless! Hugs and much love.
Jacqueline Tisher
CEO
Like many other small organizations and businesses, working from home is the new normal, and it turns out there are many more benefits to it than we initially thought.
For the past 6 months, our Provincial Leadership team has been working from home as we navigated the pandemic. What started out as a temporary solution to a global problem, is now being brought forward as a permanent, cost saving model. Reduced overhead costs and increased productivity is just the beginning.
Figuring our logistics, like how to navigate technology; and combatting cons, such as miscommunication in email writing, posed quite the obstacle for our small non-profit. But by working together, and finding solutions through trial and error, we ended up finding that there were a lot of benefits that we enjoyed about working from home. Which made us completely change our perspective on the necessity of in-office at all.
Here is what we found:
- Working at your own pace. Whether it was staying on a schedule of 9-5, being an early bird and starting at 6:00 am, taking a 2 hour lunch break, or finding inspiration at 8:00 pm. We all work differently and are the most productive at varying hours. Why force yourself into a schedule that doesn’t work for you? Working from home has given us this freedom.
- We can do laundry during the day instead of at 9:00 pm at night. Who would’ve thought that something so minor would bring so much joy. Being able to switch your laundry throughout the day? Absolutely amazing.
- Brain breaks are a miracle. A morning filled with meetings? A tedious task that made your brain feel like jello? Go for a walk, pet your dog, make some tea. These all never seemed like a possibility before, but now that they are – we actually feel more productive!
- Even though we are still working 8 hour days, there is more time for family time. We can be there when our kids get home from school, make them breakfast, or spend lunch together.
- Our team feels more connected and in the know with other departments and colleagues than ever before. Even though it’s all virtual, our organization has made a bigger effort to stay up to date. Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint has made collaboration and meetings so efficient.
Overall, working from home has provided our staff with the ability to find that work-life balance everyone has been struggling with. It has increased everyone’s productivity because they are now working on their own terms and on their own time.
How has your company been handling working from home? Are you already back in the office or are you permanently going to a work from home solution? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!