The 1980s: Three Women and a Vision
The Neeje Association for Women and Family was created in the 1980s by three women in the Ottawa area. Their main goal was to help bring about positive social change. They understood that women have an ever-increasing influence in all areas of life and therefore felt that woman has a crucial role to play within society.
Their first initiative, the Neeje Girls’ Club, was established in 1980 to support parents in raising their daughters as free, responsible women. Through the Club, youth acquired a love for work well done, a sense of responsibility and a spirit of service; they learned to be honest, understanding and good friends (the word neeje means friend in the native Ojibway language). This was achieved through leisure activities, cultural outings and sports, as well as group conversations and individual coaching from leaders (mothers and single professionals). Find out more about Neeje’s girls’ clubs here.
In 1988, club founders were ready to take on another challenge: provide support to female university students and women of all ages. They created the Neeje Association for Women and Family, an umbrella organization for the Girls’ Club and other programs designed for women: lectures on social, cultural and ethical issues; international cultural evenings for university women; leisure activities for teens held in safe, healthy surroundings; seminars on the education and upbringing of children; professional development workshops for mothers; and in partnership with Opus Dei, activities of a spiritual nature, focused on applying the Christian faith to every-day circumstances.
But Neeje was aiming higher still. For years, it had been dreaming of establishing a university residence for young women from Canada and abroad. The distinct character of the residence would lie in its warm, family atmosphere. Its setting would be conducive to study and to cultural, intellectual, professional and spiritual development.
In 1989, the Association began to make this dream come true by purchasing a large residential building located at 453 Daly Avenue, Ottawa. Once renovated, the building would be the home of Valrideau University Residence, and later on, of Neeje’s head office. It would also be used for several of the Association’s educational and cultural activities.
The 1990s: a Decade of Growth
In the early 1990s the Neeje Association for Women and Family was contacted by a group of women in the Kingston/Belleville area. Energized with great ideas, some excellent resources and a lot of encouragement from Neeje, they put their talents and resources together to develop:
· Rosehill Girls Club for girls 7 - 13
· Holloway Heights Girls Club for girls 12-15
· The Reel to Real Film Club for girls 16 - 19
· Support groups for mothers and couples
The
results were encouraging. Women and girls of all ages were enthusiastic
about branching out, personal development and learning new skills.
Program leaders were inspired by the participants' determination
to better themselves, to strive towards a personal ideal.
Throughout the 1990s, Neeje's initiatives in Ottawa grew in number and prestige. In 1996, the Association was approached by the Pan-American Conference on the Family to help with promotion and pre-conference study sessions for Ottawa and Kingston couples wishing to take part in this Toronto international summer convention. In 1998, Neeje members organized a parenting conference with internationally acclaimed upbringing expert and author, James Stenson, in Ottawa.
In 1999, Neeje established its head office at Valrideau University Residence in Ottawa. At the time, about twenty initiatives stemmed from Valrideau in the National Capital Region and in the Kingston area, including a service project in Peru for college and university women, leadership training and a community service programme for teens.
The 2000's: A Dream Comes True
Upon
purchasing Valrideau, it was clear the building needed renovations
and enlarging to serve Neeje’s purposes. Individual rooms
for students had to be put in, larger kitchen and dining room
as well as meeting rooms were needed, and above all, new working
areas were required to allow staff and volunteers to provide
a truly professional service. In others words, the building had
to be in keeping with the values Neeje was trying to promote:
professionalism, responsible management, family spirit, friendship,
cheerfulness and self-improvement.
Expansion and renovation work was carried out in phases starting in 1990, the most extensive and last phase being completed in 2002. Concurrently, Neeje witnessed increasing involvement of members and friends as it saw its activities grow in numbers, variety and attendance. At every stage of expansion, the Association was fortunate enough to receive nearly-interest-free loans from various foundations. Its fundraising efforts are now focussed on meeting the financial commitments it has taken on as a consequence.
This decade also saw the beginning of a successful annual series for mothers, Mom You’re Incredible. More parenting conferences with renowned speakers also became a yearly tradition. And an inner city day camp for girls is now part of our summer programming.
We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a cocktail party and splendid piano recital at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to thank all those who have supported us over the years. A slideshow highlighting Neeje’s accomplishment over 25 years gave us an opportunity to look back and see how we have been making a difference in the lives of so many women of all backgrounds and ages, and of all those whose lives they touch.
The future
As we reach the end of the decade and the 20th anniversary of Valrideau in 2009, we continue to dream of doing more and better to “promote the family and build society”. We will continue to make our dreams come true through our regular programming and the initiatives of our members, as well as the support of so many generous citizens who share our aspirations for future generations.