ATEN Update
It is with immense gratitude, relief and excitement that I share this update with you. On May 30, 2022 I sent out an email stating that ATEN would have to close by August 1 if we did not receive funding or a miracle. Well, miracles do happen! WE WILL NOT BE CLOSING OUR DOORS! First miracle – Hants Realty Ltd. heard our plea and very generously offered ATEN an incredible unheard of rental rate for a huge commercial space in Shubenacadie. With this new space, we will have more office spaces, a thrift shop (with profits going to support ATEN), a gift shop and wellness rooms. Hants Realty Ltd. has truly gone beyond corporate social responsibility and supporting their community. Second miracle - support from community has been tremendous. Community members and supporters of ATEN stepped up and voiced their concerns to government by writing letters of support, making phone calls and posting on social media. Also, community members like Amy Seymour and Kaitlyn Hardy organized and hosted fundraising events and continue to do so. The outpouring of support and donations from the community is so amazing and validating! Third miracle - Nova Scotia Government has committed to providing ATEN one year of bridge funding!!! This is BIG news and what we have been working so hard to achieve. Victory! Fourth miracle - ATEN received two-year funding from the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia and Green Sheild Canada to hire an additional therapist! Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation to every single person who helped support ATEN through this. We never do it alone. We look forward to opening our doors at our new location (2836 Hwy 2, Shubenacadie) in September. Our office will be closed during the month of August while we move and transition to our new space. We look forward to hosting a Grand Opening in September. WE DID IT and we couldn’t have done it without all of the support from our community and province. With heartfelt honor, privilege, gratitude and tears in my eyes, thank you! Have an empowering day! Margaret Mauger Co-Founder/Registered Counselling Therapist
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6/2/2022 0 Comments ATEN Fundraiser linksAfter Trauma Support in East Hants GoFundMe campaign (hosted by Amy Seymour): https://www.gofundme.com/f/after-trauma-support-in-east-hants After Trauma Empowerment Network's Fundraiser (Facebook, hosted by Kaitlyn Hardy): https://www.facebook.com/groups/522960236279546 ATEN Community Heroes Quilt Fundraiser: community-heroes-quilt-fundraiser.html Donations in any amount can be e-transfered to ATEN directly at info@atenns.ca Thank You for Your Support!
5/30/2022 0 Comments ATEN TO CLOSE BY AUGUST 1, 2022Dear Nova Scotia Government, colleagues and community; It is with a very heavy heart that I write this letter. In January 2020, I Co-founded the After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, to meet a high need and demand for a community-based, not-for-profit resource to address multiple forms of trauma (i.e., sexualized violence, abuse, assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and exploitation, intergenerational trauma, vicarious, homicide, etc) and those living with the mental health impact. ATEN offers barrier-free trauma-informed counselling therapy, support and resources to all gender individuals, families and communities affected by trauma. I currently have a caseload of over 50 clients and a waitlist of over 20 people wanting to access services. Over the past two years we have provided services and supports to over 275 people across Nova Scotia. For over two years I have been contacting different departments in our provincial government to schedule an urgent meeting to discuss core operational funding. I either get no reply or get a message to try again in two months. This has been going on for over two years now. We have not had any funding or financial support from either our municipal or provincial government since we began operating. I am exhausted and frustrated. To date, our operational expenses (i.e., rent, phone, internet, office supplies) have been paid from donations, fundraisers and out-of-pocket. I have been volunteering full-time my professional services since March 2022. We very much value and appreciate all of the much-needed support we have received from our community, Nova Scotia and Canada. ATEN’s services and supports are “life-saving” and invaluable to those who have experienced trauma and those who support them. It breaks my heart to share with you that ATEN will have to close our doors by August 1, 2022 unless we acquire bridge/core funding, or a miracle. If you would like to help and support, please consider emailing: Minister of Health & Wellness, Honourable Michelle Thompson - Health.Minister@novascotia.ca Minister of Mental Health & Addictions Honourable Brian Comer - MentalHealth.Minister@novascotia.ca Deputy Minister of Health & Wellness and Mental Health & Addictions Jeannine Lagassé - jeannine.lagasse@novascotia.ca NOTE: Refunds will be given to those of you who purchased a Community Heroes Quilt square or heart. Thank you for your understanding and support.
5/17/2022 3 Comments Community Heroes Quilt FundraiserBe Part of Something Special & Be A Community Hero |
AuthorAfter Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) Archives
July 2022
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