BARRHEAD - It was a dream years in the making, but one that only came to reality two weeks ago.
On Sept. 9, Amber's Hope maternity home officially opened following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of an audience of 40 people, including the organization's board, staff, family members, local dignitaries, and general well-wishers.
The not-for-profit centre, self-funded through donations, offers mothers facing crisis a long-term place to stay with their children for up to a year, providing round-the-clock supportive care.
After the year, the home will continue to support the mothers for an additional two years through education and health and vitality programming.
When fully up and running, the home will accommodate up to eight women in need.
However, the dream started well before creating the Amber's Hope board in 2020, a long-term goal of its originating organization, the Barrhead Pregnancy Centre.
The Barrhead Pregnancy Centre, an off-shoot of its namesake in Edmonton, opened in 2018 but dates back to November 2017. Due to the workload needed, Amber's Hope broke away from the Pregnancy Centre and became its own entity in 2022.
Amber's Hope chair Marica Wierda and vice-chair Kim Webster noted that although the boards are separate entities, they still work closely with each other due to the clientele they assist.
"It was about five years to the day when I made my original Facebook post asking for people to step up for what I called the 'Dream Team' to start work on what would eventually be 'Amber's Hope' and when a [not to be named donor] offered us this property," Webster said.
Amber's Hope is named after "Amber", a young mother with a nine-year-old son who was pregnant with twins, who walked through the doors of the Edmonton Pregnancy Centre in 2018, asking for assistance after leaving an abusive relationship.
Unfortunately, Amber died two years later.
"There is a lot of confusion about what happened in her final days. All we know for certain is that our current systems were not enough," states the Amber's Hope website.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Amber's Hope executive director Katherine Nanninga said that Amber's Hope is fortunate to be in a community with many resources to draw.
"When people ask why Barrhead, I just tell people there is such an incredible community here, as evident in all the wonderful resources and organizations, with which we hope to create strong relationships," she said.
County of Barrhead reeve Doug Drozd welcomed the maternity home to the community.
"This is a [cause] that is near and dear to me," he said. "Congratulations on making Amber's Hope a reality. Your tireless work towards this compassionate endeavour has led to a new and valuable resource in the community in situations where agency supports can mean the difference between success and failure. What a wonderful vision to offer support to women and families facing life's most beautiful and challenging events, pregnancy."
Town of Barrhead councillor Anthony Oswald said he was especially pleased to be able to represent the municipality at the ribbon-cutting event.
"This is right up my alley. I am Grandknight of the Knights of Columbus, and this is right in our wheelhouse," he said. "I am so happy to see this facility come to Barrhead, and Knights of Columbus look forward to working with the people at Amber's Hope.
Edmonton-West Henday MLA Brooks Arcand said the opening of Amber's Hope holds special meaning for him and his family.
Arcand is Amber's oldest cousin.
"I want to acknowledge how much this facility means to our family," he said. "Amber would have been so thankful to add her name to this space created to protect vulnerable women from domestic violence ... because no woman should feel afraid to leave home."
Arcand added facilities like Amber's Hope are so important in the province due to the seeming increase in domestic violence.
"To have this place in Barrhead, named after our beautiful, amazing Amber, who we did not know was struggling for a large part of her life," he said.
More information about Amber's Hope can be found on its web and social media pages and through the office at Bethel Pentecostal Church at 780-284-7900. The office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can also be reached at [email protected].
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
