It’s hard to believe we are already in March of 2016 and that this is my 3rd monthly post on an amazing woman who is doing something amazing to change this world. This one is a little different than my last two.
The person who is featured this month has no idea I was doing a post on her – well I guess now she does. There is no interview with her, but I’m going to share with you about her because she’s making a difference in so many people’s lives.
Let me introduce you Marion Cozens, Chief Executive Mother of WINGS Maternity Home. This month Marion celebrates 7 years of running this amazing organization. She also just had a birthday last week, so this post is in celebration of both ‘birth’ days.
So let me tell you a bit about Marion and then I’ll tell you about all she does at WINGS Maternity Home and how she’s played a role in my journey. And of course, read through to see how you can help!
Marion has quite the story of her own before she opened the doors of WINGS. She was raised in foster care in Scotland before moving to Canada and knows all too well what it is like growing up in the system. She was a single mom herself to her 4 beautiful daughters. To say that she understands what the young women who come through her doors go through, would be an understatement. But it is because of her journey in life (and a few other reasons) that has given her the heart and a passion to open her home up to other young women.
Marion took in her first expecting young mom 7 years ago this month which leads me to explaining what she does.
WINGS takes in pregnant and parenting, homeless and displaced young women who have chosen LIFE for their unborn babies. While in the home they participate in a variety of programs (parenting, group, a variety of therapy programs, school, etc) to help them heal from their past and current situations, prepare for motherhood and living independently. The home also has an in home school to help the girls complete and upgrade their education (as well as a few community moms). There have been over 40 babies born through the home since it was established.
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Marion is on 24-7 – she has opened her own home, where she raised her 4 daughters, right within the community of Ajax. She lives with the girls which is why she is on 24-7. Marion has sacrificed her life to be a voice for the unborn babies and give these young women not only an opportunity to parent but the knowledge, skills and resources they need.
Aside from Marion, the programs are all run by volunteers that she refers to as the ‘dream team’. Marion has sacrificed A LOT to keep this home open and really does this out of the goodness of her heart in hopes to make a difference in the lives of these young babies and their mothers. A few years ago Marion left her job(s) and does this full time now.
The home is not government funded and is solely run on donations and what Marion has been able to fund personally. The cost is significant and the home is in need of funds.
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I don’t really do Marion and the home justice just by talking about the home and the work she does. There is so much that Marion and her team do to make a difference in these young women’s lives (and their wee ones). There is so much that is unseen, so much that happens in the middle of the night but Marion would tell you that it is worth all the sacrifice.
To hear some more about Marion, the home and hear some of the stories of the young women whose lives have been changed, here are some interviews done at the home:
Global News
100 Huntley Street
On the website you will see a few more videos and interviews as well that were done by the 700 Club Canada http://www.wingsmaternityhome.com/news–tv.html
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So, how did I meet this woman and how has she affected my life….
Well, I met her about 5 years ago, while I was still married and very broken. I went with my church to volunteer on a spring bee cleaning day. I sat in her living room, keeping to myself and taking care of my nephew and was mute because I was broken and in my shell. I met a few of the girls and heard their stories and I knew there was something special about this home. I knew that someday I wanted to be involved. Only, I was very broken from the situation I was in. I worked in fundraising professionally and knew I could help maybe in that area but I needed to get to a bit of a better place emotionally.
When I heard that she needed help with her first gala, I knew I could help with that. So my mom and I volunteered to help, But, because of my back the stuff that the volunteers helped with were really hard on my back and neck so I started helping her with administrative tasks. And from there it grew. I helped where I could administratively, in fundraising, event planning and eventually helping with one of the groups with the girls as a co-leader.
I may have gotten more out of my time with Marion and at the home than in the volunteer work itself. Marion has walked me through a lot of healing from the abuse of my marriage – heck it was at WINGS that I finally admitted the abuse that happened. I have cried many tears in her office, had several melt downs and tried to give up a few times and she just wouldn’t let me. She has been like a second mom over the years, has believed in my dreams and she even brought all the girls who lived in the home to the pageant and they were the loudest cheering squad ever – signs and all! A very large part of my healing happened at this home and is a very big reason that I am where I am today.
Marion has helped more than just the young women who have lived in her home. She has been a leader in the community, in the church and is a safe haven for those who haven’t been in a safe place. She is a fighter of those who don’t have a voice or don’t yet know how to use it. She teaches them to use their voice and become a voice for others. Her gift of compassion, sacrifice and love is one that keeps giving because she helps restore women (and men) to a place of wholeness so that they can soar and in turn be a light to others!
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Waiting
Investing
Nurturing
Growing
SoaringAll of these things elements are very important at WINGS and Marion helps facilitate it all.Marion, thank you for all you do to make a difference in this world and for the impact you’ve had in my own life. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with some of the girls over the last few years and watching them transform because of your investment and your team is just astounding.
If you would like to find out more about WINGS Maternity Home and how you can help, please visit their website
HERE
If you are interested in supporting this home with a one time donation or on a monthly basis, would you consider becoming a monthly feather- click HERE
And, lastly, if you would like to attend an event. learn more about WINGS and inspired some more, why don’t you come to our 4th Annual Gala on May 5th. Can’t attend, consider making a donation or sponsorship towards the evening. Click the invite below for more details and to purchase your tickets today.
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