Our Story So Far
Our Story So Far
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The Beginning
The Beginning
A Little Relief was founded in 2016 by Joanne French and Cheryl Emond-Steffer with a simple purpose: to help ease the burden for local individuals and families who need a little extra support.
What began as a grassroots effort, funded almost entirely out of Joanne and Cheryl’s own pockets for the first two years, has grown into a community organization dedicated to helping some of our most vulnerable neighbours. Both co-founders have continued to be significant personal contributors throughout the organization’s journey.
In 2024, A Little Relief officially became a registered non-profit organization, with charitable status currently pending.
A Little Relief supports local families and individuals in practical, meaningful ways. Depending on available resources and donations, this may include clothing, back-to-school supplies, food assistance, Easter hampers, Christmas Adopt-a-Family hampers, and other essentials that can make difficult seasons a little easier.
Many of the people we support are those who too often fall through the cracks—newcomers and immigrant families, single-parent households, the working poor, and others facing financial or personal hardship who may not qualify for assistance elsewhere.
But A Little Relief is about more than providing necessities. It is also about belonging.
Whenever resources allow, we host community events that bring people together, raise awareness and funds, and create opportunities for connection. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. Our events and programs are designed to welcome people from all walks of life and to help ensure that everyone who comes through our doors is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.
Nearly a decade after it began, A Little Relief remains rooted in the same belief that inspired Joanne and Cheryl in 2016:
Sometimes, a little relief can make a very big difference.
Jo-Ann's Story - The Inspiration Behind the Organization
Jo-Ann's Story - The Inspiration Behind the Organization
Jo-Ann is Cheryl's younger sister who passed unexpectedly in 2011. Pregnant at 15 and on her own at 16, life was difficult for her. She worked really hard to better her life. She went to a non-accredited post-secondary school and excelled in the diploma's that she received. (pharmacy technician & law clerk). Because the school was not accredited, her tuition was much higher & she was never able to access a decent job with her credentials.
Jo-Ann went on to have 2 other children and spent the entirety of her life struggling financially as well as mentally. Jo-Ann had a good heart. Life may have been different for her, better, if she had better means & opportunities. She did the best that she could and that's all that any of us can do.
Like Jo-Ann, so many families struggle today, even the much forgotten working poor, but things are most dire for single parents on the system, trying to navigate a better life, for themselves, their children, their families.
We are so happy here at A Little Relief to provide A little relief for these struggling families, who without our help, without your help, may go into all of the holidays struggling, depressed and without. We care & we see that you do as well. We are doing a great thing here. Thank you all for being a part of this endeavour & for all of your generous continued support.
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