CSS Morning Star program lifts women in lasting ways  

 News Release from Catholic Social Services

Teachers across Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division are raising funds to support the vulnerable women served by Catholic Social Services’ Morning Star program.    

“It’s just something that is very important to us, that we teach our children about helping less fortunate and being a part of a community and a faith filled community.” Melissa Meyer, teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas School.  

Last winter, a class at St. Thomas Aquinas school in Red Deer organized a drive to collect over 100 clothing accessories for Morning Star. This year, the entire school division is participating. Fundraising kicked off on May 9, and will continue through to the end of the school year.   

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division has held a lunch day where faculty and pupils were able to order lunch from local restaurants, Millennium Cafe and Bo’s Bar & Stage, where a portion of proceeds will be donated to Morning Star. This week (May 9-13), faculty are participating by donating $20 to dress down for theme days. Themes include Gear down for a good cause, Jeans for justice, Sweathog Day, Just Cause Jeans, and High School Throwback, where teachers and staff may dress in jeans and sportswear at school. Another planned initiative includes a 50/50 draw on May 20.  

“The support means a lot and there’s something that really touches our hearts about the youth as well wanting to get involved in their community and help build up their community even from a young age. It means a lot to us.” Jill Lanz, Service Coordinator at Morning Star.  

Morning Star opened in downtown Red Deer in 2019, following a viability analysis which identified significant gaps in the community for women experiencing homelessness, addiction, and other self-identified barriers. Morning Star is the only program exclusively serving women, an important feature for those who may have experienced abuse and/or human trafficking.   

The program aims to lift women in lasting ways through both outreach and drop-in services. The Morning Star drop-in centre offers a safe place for women to access showers and laundry services, snacks, clothing, toiletries, and the friendship and support of staff. Morning Star served 168 women last year, and currently receives 140-260 visits monthly.  

“Part of our jobs is we will carry hope for our women until they can carry it for themselves,” Lanz describes her role at Morning Star.  

Morning Star is entirely funded through donations to Sign of Hope, Catholic Social Services’ charitable fundraising arm. The program costs $250,000 annually to operate. Those interested can make donations at (LINK)  

Local Filmmaker Involvement  

A video by a local Red Deer filmmaker Corey Gomez was produced to support the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division fundraising efforts. Gomez has been involved with projects including Billy the Kid, ATCO, Government of Alberta, and a television show produced by Ron Howard.  

About CSS:  

For 60 years, Catholic Social Services has been providing help to the most vulnerable. Today, CSS works in three priority areas: serving newcomers to Canada, serving individuals with disabilities, and serving individuals, children, and families. Each year, more than 21,000 Albertans in 12 communities across central Alberta, are uplifted and empowered through CSS.