Katrina Owens
Lakeside Leader

Northern Haven Support Society hosted its annual ‘Brunch for the Girls’ earlier this month. TA’s Asian Grill and Steakhouse in town was packed with local ladies who were able to mingle, bid in a silent auction and learn more about Northern Haven’s outreach programs.
“It’s always a pleasure to host our annual brunch to celebrate International Women’s Day,” said chair of Northern Haven Board of directors Kassie Herman. “Each year there is a theme to go along with International Women’s Day – this year it is ‘Be Bold for Change!’”
International Women’s Day is observed by many around the globe as a day that celebrates social, cultural, economic and political achievement of women. Here’s a fun fact; the earliest known ‘Women’s Day’ was all the way back in 1909 in New York and was organized by the Socialist Party of America.
Getting back to Northern Haven and all the work they do – The Leader chatted with outreach worker and lifeskill teacher Tracy Leggett about what programs Northern Haven is offering.
“Every Tuesday we have something going on,” she says. “We have two ‘ladies social hour’ a month, a ladies learning circle and a simply cooking class. It’s always from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Alliance Church in Slave Lake.”
Leggett says Northern Haven tries to make these programs as barrier-free as possible.
“It’s all free! We provide childcare, snacks, drinks and even transportation,” she says. “Nothing’s free anymore! This gives the moms some time away from the kids. We as women don’t do enough for ourselves and this gets them out and socializing with others.”