Mandate and Mission Statement

Aunt Leah’s Society helps prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless, and mothers in need from losing custody of their children. To support them on their journey of self-sufficiency, we provide supported housing, job training and coaching on the essential skills.

Aunt Leah’s Core Values

1. All behavior has meaning and is the human tool for communication.
2. Success is fragile and must be tended to and supported with care.
3. Celebration is essential to a successful life.
4. An Individuals artistic/soulful centre must be expressed and appreciated.
5. Entrepreneurial Spirit builds individuals and organizations.
6. Community building ensures that we all have a place to go when we need support.

Aunt Leah’s Promotional Video

History of Aunt Leah’s

Aunt Leah’s Society was established in July 1988. Gale Stewart, Executive Director, was a foster parent who knew that there was a need for extra support for youth who were approaching their 19th birthday and leaving government care. They weren’t always ready for independent living.

“I talked neighbours and friends into using their downstairs suites for housing teenagers who were in care. At first this concept was rejected by the Ministry but then I was given very hard to place teenagers. I think I provided care for 6-8 young people in this type of housing from 1986 to 1988. I was the support worker and checked in on them daily.” This housing project became known as the Support Link Program.

Gale also founded Aunt Leah’s House in 1988. This program provided a home for pregnant and parenting teen mothers. When government funding was cut for programs of this type throughout the province in 2003, Aunt Leah’s fundraised to continue to provide this valuable service.

The incorporation of Aunt Leah’s Independent Lifeskills Society led to the subsequent development of many other residential and lifeskills training programs. Today, these programs include up to 15 residential placements for teens, 2 for youth over 19, 5 homes for adult women and their babies, plus one-on-one support, life skills workshops, pre-employment training opportunities, celebrations and outings for all participants.

Who is Aunt Leah?

I was the first grandchild born on a hundred-acre farm in southern Ontario. With that position came the good fortune of being the special grandchild to Leah, my paternal grandmother.From a very early age I developed a keen sense of love, loyalty and passion for this special person. In 1988, when we began discussing and writing the vision and mandate for our new organization, I came quickly to her name. It represented what we would attempt to be for children and youth that needed an alternate caregiver. As the organization grows, so has my respect and understanding for the role that Leah played in my life. Leah became Aunt Leah, and the organization has become a tribute to the memories I have of her.

In return, Leah, in some strange and magical way has imparted to the organization a warm, vital and creative energy that allows us to support the many children and youth who come in need of our programs. Many of these young people have suffered the loss of family and community. We attempt to become that strong alternate caregiver that Leah was for me.

In the spirit of Leah,

Gale Stewart
Executive Director

Aunt Leah’s Awards & Recognition

Aunt Leah’s has been recognized a number of times, both for its people and for its contribution to its community. Some of these are:

• Were chosen as one of 10 Non-Profits from BC to be part of the pilot project Enterprising Non-Profit Training Program in 1997.
• In 2000, Aunt Leah’s was short-listed from over 140 applications to 13 applicants in VanCity’s first ever “million dollar award”;
• May 2001 – Gale Stewart, Executive Director, was nominated for YWCA’s “Woman of Distinction” award;
• January 22, 2003, Gale was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal;
• January 21, 2004, Aunt Leah’s Community Kitchen Program was awarded a United Way Community Spirit award; and
• In June, 2005 Aunt Leah’s was accredited by CARF which is an internationally recognized accreditation body for social services organizations. We received a three year accreditation and an exemplary note – indicating that in some areas, we set the standard for other organizations – for our Support Link Program.
• In 2007, we were again short-listed for the Vancity Million Award. We were among the final organizations who received significant funds, despite Vancity’s decision not to follow through with choosing a winner.
• In 2008 Aunt Leah’s received our 2nd Accreditation. We were again awarded with a three year Accreditation and all of our programs were included (Support Link, Thresholds, Link, ILFFY and our Training Programs).


Aunt Leah's Society was presented with the Service Provider Award of Excellence in November, 2009.

• On November 4, 2009, Aunt Leah’s was among four organizations recognized for their dedication to making a difference in the lives of B.C.’s vulnerable children and youth. Aunt Leah’s won the Service Provider Award of Excellence from the Representative for Children and Youth.

Courage to Come Back Awards:

• May 9, 2002 – Yvonne Sutton-Fregin, Aunt Leah’s House staff, is a recipient of a Courage to Come Back Award
• April 29, 2004 – Rod Fregin, Support Worker and Training Programs staff, is a recipient of a Courage to Come Back Award
• April 19, 2007 – Katie Tuomola, Restaurant Training Program graduate, is a recipient of a Courage to Come Back Award

Aunt Leah’s Accreditation with CARF International

In the summer of 2008, Aunt Leah’s received confirmation that we have earned a Three Year Accreditation. This is our second time in earning our Accreditation for a 3 year period, however this time not just our Support Link Program went through the process. We are now proud to announce that all of our programs are accredited, including Support Link, Thresholds, The Link, and Training Programs.

Our survey was conducted by CARF International. Their website says, “Accreditation is a good sign that an organization cares about delivering quality services to its customers. You can think of accreditation as a “seal of quality” that the organization’s services have been awarded because they have delivered positive results.
CARF-accredited service providers meet the highest national and international standards for quality.”

Our final CARF Survey Report states, “The organization provides services to youth who have multiple and complex issues. Its’ ability to successfully support them to a true level of independence is very commendable.”

Thank you to staff, board, program participants and our stakeholders who helped us through this process.

For more information about CARF, please visit the official website http://www.carf.org