ChangesStore.ca Events

Chocolate Tasting 2012

2012-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

Check our this for an awesome event in late January........so good and so much fun. Call us to reserve your tickets now.

Contest Question

2011-11-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

When we ask what is "Changes" we really want you to know that we are a social enterprize, meaning of course we are a regular business, but with a mission that works for the benenfit of others. Answer to the question is "Social Enterprize."
Enjoy the contest and savings. We thank you for reading about us in detail!

Chocolate Tasting 2012

2011-11-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Tasting Tickets just arrived today...we are taking reservations for tables of 10. Call us at 454-1734 to order by visa or MC
Also, we reserved rooms at the Delta, if you would like one, please ask for the deal for "Changes." Delta number is 457-7000. I will also need to know the names of those reserving under our plan. Date is Jan 28, 2012 Rooms are $119.00 /tax

Graduation from "Changes 360" program

2011-11-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

Another life about to change, as another graduation takes place with a new job following the next day! How wonderful to see the changes that take place in the eyes of those who experience success. Congrats to Christine and all the best to her. A new life begins. Congratulations being offered by fellow graduate, center Sheila Bishop; newest employee and workshop coordinator Terri Doucett right; HR trainer Charles Davies, back. Pat Carlson, founder and CEO makes the certificate presentation.

New workshop coordinator joins us at "Changes"

2011-09-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to Terri Doucett, who recently joined our team at "Changes" Terri comes with years of experience in retail and we are all happy that she accepted to join us. Drop by and see our changes and meet Terri in person. Although she will be working mainly in the day to day operations of quality control she will be found on the cash as she mentors our clients and oversees the breaks etc.

Changes at "Changes"

2011-08-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

School is about to start, housecleaning time is around the corner and many changes are happening at "Changes."

Settling into our new place and getting the stock sorted and placed was quite a challenge.   Many hands on deck brought it all nicely together, however.   We wish to thank everyone who helped, whether it was for a few hours or everyday for the last couple of months, we could not have done it without you!

Donations keep the store moving, shoppers keep it afloat and we certainly need everyone to continue to spread the word. Changing locations is a challenge as people habituate to one route and we need them to rethink that route and find us again.   We are gaining new customers, but we miss some of our old ones!!!

In the old store we were asked about when we would start putting out our Christmas things, as people like to shop early, so by mid September I start putting out a few things at a time.

We have also started putting fall coats and sweaters out as the cool weather is coming and we know you will want first dibs.

Some trainees are facing new challenges. We are reminding the community that not all pasts are to be feared. If we work with a trainee at changes who may have a record, it is a small offense and likely a first time offense, so we encourage dialogue about the fear that our community and most communities have about hiring someone with a record. Domestic problems often result in charges being laid which have a devastating effect on the couple. However, women get charged also and this creates a nightmare for finding work.

Insurance companies may be trying to help protect us, but if someone cannot find work, they will, no doubt, do something much worse down the line. I am certain not all people with a record need to be feared.   We need to start this conversation.   What happened to the principles of fair play and justice?   Or when a time is served the crime is paid for? It appears it is never paid for in a fear based society.

I will leave that for you to think about.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and please remember that we serve our community through you and the grace of God.
Pat
P.S. new volunteers always welcome!

Getting ready for our grand re-opening June 17th at 11 a.m

2011-06-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join our deputy mayor, David Kelly and the staff and volunteers of "Changes" to celebrate our grand re-opening.

Here are some new pictures of what we have done so far. Lots of wonderful things to see and buy. We are now working with client 23 who will be starting her volunteer mode on our grand opening day.

We will be giving the first 24 people a fresh flower, contests will be announced and many surprises. Join us and see what fun we can have in our new space.

2011-05-01T15:04:00.001-07:00

We are moving! 1245 Hanwell Road soon to be our new store.

2011-05-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a long journey to get to this point. Days of wondering how we could make this happen, can we afford to move, what if we did not find a suitable place.   Our thoughts changed back and forth from; can we buy something to costs of renting, what should we do?

Then, out of the blue, I made a wrong turn one day and low and behold arrived at the parking lot of the Greer Mini Mall by the Greer homestead at 1245 Hanwell Rd.   As I spoke to one of the tenants about her business moving from Queen St, the owner of U wash dogs, told me how this move has helped her business.

The location is easy to find. Nothing like being across the street from Ritchies Carpet Warehouse, with its big red lettering. You can see it as you look for Tim Horton's new location on the top of the Hanwell.   Yes, it is true, we will be able to walk to Tim's for coffee.   Oh boy, I love those ice caps!   We will all have to watch our diets.

The unit we are taking over was once the Case's Renovations site. It needed some work, walls repaired and they did this for us. Case's supplied three men and rebuilt the walls so we can get them painted.   Thank you guys for a great help and Rob for donating this to us.   This is dirty work so it was great to get that kind of help.

Monday and Tuesday we will be getting it professionally cleaned as walls of 14 ft and 18 ft are too much to ask of our wonderful volunteers to clean.   After that, we will begin painting and do our arranging of shelving and preparing the workshop for your donations.   There is much to be done before we open on June 1st.

Our plan is to stay open until near the end of May at the King St location and take only 2-3 days to do the final touches in our new location.   Signs will be going up soon and you will see that we will have converted a flat faced mini mall unit to a lovely boutique entrance...and wait until you see what we have planned for the inside!!!!
Here are a few before pictures to enjoy. You can also follow the developments on my facebook page.

I ask for your help, encouragement and as always a good prayer here and there can work miracles.   We are working with our 21st client in three years since we began.   We know that our program is beginning to make an impact in some of the client's lives and we thank you, our community, for sharing your blessings on so many of us.

Have a great day.   Come see us soon! Our new location will be 1245 Hanwell Rd, across from Ritchies.

2011 Already!

2011-02-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year is now behind us and we are seeing red as in Happy Valentine's Day. Our Chocolate Tasting this year was another sell-out and we had a wonderful time. The music got lots of rave reviews and the entire night was financially just what we needed for the down days of February. The food...ohhhh the food was excellent!

Speaking of February...we need donations at this time of year. We would love all those things you really did not use for Christmas and we need dishes, dishes, dishes. Fancy dishes, kitchen ware and all the general everyday stuff works as well as jewellery. We also seek quality used goods in clothing as well.

Speaking of jewellery, we will be sponsoring a new lady from our community who needs help marketing her wares. We will purchase for resale and see how that goes. Costs will range from $40 to $60 and her stuff is really well done. I will post pictures soon.

New challenges await us as we seek a new place to do this work. As they say in retail, "location, location location!" And we need about 3000 sq ft to carry on. If you know of a place let us know.
Enjoy the snow!

Christmas Ideas

2010-12-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

We have some new ideas at "Changes." A Christmas card that acts as a gift in lieu, a GNYR card for those who like to make a guaranteed new years resolution to help others. Both can be gotten for a $10.00 donation and you may have a tax receipt as well.

Excellent for stocking stuffers and mini gift swaps.

Enjoy the holidays, we will be closing from Dec 24 3 p.m. to Jan 3 at 10 a.m. See you then!!!

From the staff and board we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Stay happy, we only have one life to live.
Pat

First an Apology

2010-12-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well good intentions do not get the job done, but, I simply do not find the blog a place that as yet, I am comfortable to write. I think my followers read the papers.
So, forgive me for changing my mind, but I think just notes on what is going on is really what this will become.

WE are in need of a new location as our rent is going up again and we just cannot afford this raise. $500 plus HST means we have to have another $735 to maintain this location. I am sure there is a message here but just what it is remains to be seen.

So, with a lot more work ahead of me I will have to beg of here for a bit and hope you will come out to support our events as we will need your help more than ever.
Together we can do this, yet again!
Merry Christmas all and blessing be upon you.

Consider This has moved to this blog page

2010-11-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

While I said good-bye to the column, it was not my desire to end writing. For the time being I will blog here until I find a new venue from which to share my ideas, hopes, fears and desires with you. I hope you will pass this on to your friends who once followed our comings and goings in the Gleaner.

Last week was the last formal column. There are many things happening at "Changes" which excites me and some that bring us new challenges each and every day. Once a week, I will attempt to make the commitment to write here for each Thursday so that you will have some consistency. I will focus more on our clients, the program and what or how you can help.

This week we finalized commitment from our restaurant participants allowing us to go forward with our second annual Chocolate Tasting Experience at the Delta - called "the Chef's Touch"- Slated for January 29th, 7:30 to 9:30 pm. I will post a poster next week with all the details. The price will be close to last years and will be on the poster. As we did last year, all tickets will be sold in advance.

Auction items will be sought for the silent auction, if you have something you would like to donate for that.

Every second week I will explore items of a political nature or current events that will impact our lives in some way.

Blessings to all you have offered comments and followed my column. Hopefully this will also work.
Pat

100% Silk value $700.

2010-05-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

Sold to this lovely lady! What a deal.

This lovely evening dress is just one of many. Come and see more at our location.

173 King St.

Move to Learn - July 8 to 10th

2010-05-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Move To learn-
Discover something new about our brain’s Ability to learn
SUZANNE DAY
Suzanne Day is a registered neuropsychologist from Quebec. She has been a guest speaker at several conferences across Canada, has been a guest on three television productions on Dyslexia. She is certified in dyslexia testing and teaching, in neurofeedback training as well as in auditory integration training. You can check out credentials at
http://www.wisechoiceeducationalservices.com

DAVID DAY
David Day is a certified reading therapist. He is certified in a variety of reading therapy approaches, as well as in biofeedback and
neurofeedback techniques. He has been a guest speaker at different conferences in several provinces in Canada, and was a guest on a television production on Dyslexia.

ANDREA KHAN
Andrea Khan has been living and teaching in Karachi, Pakistan for the past 20 years. Since 2008, Move to Learn has been the foundation of her program for treating children with attention and learning disorders, mild autism and epileptic disorders. Her institute, Strategies for Learning, currently serves approximately 30 children from mainstream and international schools.
Who should attend such a workshop?
Anyone living or working with children, youth or adults
experiencing learning and attention span inefficiencies.
You may change their lives as you
give the brain a "second chance"!
Phone: 506-454-1734
Fax: 506-454-1734
E-mail: changes@nb.aibn.com
173 King St
Fredericton, NB
E3B 1C8

“Changes”
Learning Days
Thursday July 8– (7 pm-8:30 pm) Meet Andrea Khan and hear how Move to Learn is changing lives from Australia to Pakistan to
Canada

Friday July 9- (7pm-8:30 pm)
Meet Suzanne Day– will present the neurodevelopmental approach to learning and attention span. Suzanne will explain the steps in brain development and share results from her 15 years experience with this approach. Learn about how to help your children achieve their potential.

Saturday July 10- (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Attend the full day practical workshop by Suzanne and David Day. You will learn and practice these techniques to be implemented at home, in school or a clinic setting. Leave the workshop ready to teach others how to increase learning and attention span potential through neurodevelopmental movements.

Saturday’s workshop is on the floor—please dress comfortably.

Location TBA
Visa/MC Accepted
Call to book
1-506-454-1734
Only 40 Seats available
For Saturday’s workshop
Cost $100
Results: Priceless

Information sessions 1 & 2,
July 8 & 9
By donation
Must be pre-registered
By June 10th, 2010
July 8—10, 2010
Location TBA

More Pictures of the surprise party.

2010-04-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

Shirley, Ty and Rachel

Shirley and Rachel and a Money Tree

Shirley saying thanks

Shirley and Rachel and cards from the table!

Saying Goodbye - not so easy!

2010-04-17T10:10:00.001-07:00

A Surprise Party for our friends! What a send off!

Saying hello was so easy as these ladies joined our family. . Now as Rachel and Shirley say good-bye, they are going home again as they said they would after 2 years, we must give them a surprise send off. 32 friends and supporters of "Changes" gathered to bid a bonne- farewell to these ladies as they leave NB and head home to BC to family, at month end. We gathered at Swiss Chalet, totally unbeknownst to them. Lots of tears and great food. We did a money tree...this is their surprise as we point it out to them. (right photo) Over $1,000 was raised to help them move home. We love them and will miss them!

Safe journey friends and thank you for your help, support and encouragement. Our gratitude will always be in our hearts.

Attending the event were board members, customers turned friends, trainers and fellow workers as well as some trainees; both graduates and still in our program, as well as our new workshop manager; former trainee Margie Hazlett.(Top photo, far left)

Chocolate and Customers

2010-02-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

If you are following our blog, then you will be happy to know that our Chocolate Tasting was a huge success! Everyone wants to come again next year and that means we will be changing a few things so that it is even better than last time. Receipts will be pre-written so the line up will be shorter and faster, the event will be a sit down and we may even consider a dance....still working on that one.

With permission from a new customer we are delighted to post a lovely picture of one of our gowns recently purchased, but we have others. Our wedding boutique is available with more dresses and accessories from which to choose.

Call or drop by, but do not miss your chance for something lovely at affordable prices.

It's 2010 !

2010-01-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We are certainly moving along quickly and the sales for the Chocolate Tasting will be a sell out! Rachel Brown and committee have done a wonderful job so we say thanks.
Check out the Gleaner for a story on January 27th by Lori Gallagher.
2010 came in with a bang, as we moved the number of students we have helped into the double digits. So pleasing to see what they are learning and how they find themselves growing as well.
We look forward to a great new year with two new clients and more to come. All this is possible through the kind donations of valuable goods that you have donated and we say thanks each and every day. Please keep it coming our way so we can continue to help those who are ready and willing to move on in life. We need you help in this and in shopping at "Changes." Anyone can shop here. From your financial donations and store sales we pay rent, heat and office expenses that go along with managing a store and training program. When we say we, we really mean you and us!
Thanks, I will try to blog more often...just gets ahead of me sometimes.
You can donate online in time for taxes of 2009. Just go to our "how to help" page and click on the link to CanadaHelps.org this will take you to our page and it is secure.
Blessing for a wonderful new year.

2nd Anniversary Celebration

2009-11-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

Nov 21st. marked our Second Anniversary. How time flys! Two more clients just finished their 12 week program at "Changes." We are happy to say they are moving into new jobs in the community and we are just waiting for approval from the work ability program to start two new persons. How exciting it is to here, "Hey Pat, they hired me and we work out the details as soon as the Manager is back from vacation!" This is what a second chance is all about. But, again I say to you, we cannot do it without your help and continued support.

Thinking of supporting us for Christmas...we have some interesting ways to do that besides shopping at the store.

Purchase a GNYR card...use it for someone's stocking stuffer or a party swap! Pledge and make it happy by buying this card up front...then the deed is done.

Donate on line: just go back to our site, "How You Can Help" page and hit the Canadahelps.org button and you are there!

Should saddness befall you or a friend this season and anytime, we have "In Sympathy" cards at all Funeral Homes and at "Changes."

Anytime is a good time to donate to a great cause by helping move people into self-sufficiency....money or your most special items, we can use them all.

We love you and thank you. One last thing, say Merry Christmas as much as you can. God is the reason for the season, so let's put things in order and be proud about it.
Pat

It's November Already

2009-11-13T18:54:00.001-08:00

A new addition to our collection of beautiful and interesting things is this 1911 cook book from the wifes of the Presidents of the USA. This is no ordinary cookbook. It is more like a "motherly advice" on everything you need to know about life and how to keep and maintain a great house- hold.

How to carve a turkey, dye silk and fabrics, treat whooping caugh and many timely things. We are selling it but are asking you to make the donation as we just have a figure in mind, but it is not set in stone.

As of today, two more of our clients are working and we are so happy for them. One is staying on with us to help run the workshop and one is moving on to a local hotel. We wish them both great success. Three more people are working towards the entry requirements. One is just waiting for the last piece to be accepted, two others are jsut beginning to volunteer.

Lots of beautiful Christmas gifts and decorations to buy. If you have everything and your friends do also, you could make a financial donation and receive a GNYR card to use as a gift. Our Guaranteed New Year's Resolution card, makes sure that someone less fortunate is helped and your promise to help another is guaranteed!!! Tell a friend and share your good fortune.

See you soon!

Pat

Changes at "Changes"

2009-10-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

A date has been set for the "Chocolate Tasting Experience" we have moved it to January 30 with a storm date for the 31st.

Rachel Brown and her team are working to create an experience you will want to tell everyone about. Tickets will be sold in advance!!! So, if Chocolate is your pet treat, better let us know your intentions. Time and place TBA.

More things happening all the time. We are seeking a new place for "Changes." It may take us a year or so, but we are looking for a deal. Our rent goes up again in December and wow...it is taking too much of our revenue, so time to think ahead.....stay tuned for updates. And of course if you know anyone with 4000 sq feet of room, let us know about it.

See you next week! Christmas items going fast, so come on down to see what we have. This weekend we are at the Nurturing Ourselves Conference, with a booth, busy times all round!

Thanksgiving

2009-10-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!
This week has been very busy for our trainees. As the two prepare for the last 5 weeks with us it is time to look most seriously at where they will work next and what goals we have yet to meet together. One new person began the Volunteer component for assessment into our program. We have room for two more. Each must do 16 hrs of volunteering over two months so we can get to know their needs, work style etc.
I hope your Turkey was good and all blessings came your way. But, most of all, I hope each of us took the time to offer to our Creator a heart felt thank you for our gifts, as we all have many!
Pat on behalf of all staff and board members.

Welcome

2009-10-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

You have just viewed our new website in which we are very pleased. From week to week I will update you on events and talk about the hopes and dreams of our clients. We hope you will make this a regular check-in so that we can share with you regularly. Ask a question, offer help or make donations. WE are the combination of you and us. Together we can make changes to lives that cry out for help, sometimes silently, sometimes with a roar.

Check for the special sales days to the right of this blog. Thanks for dropping in!
Pat