Tracking our progress: 2022-23 Annual Impact Report
For Luke’s Place, 2022-23 was a period of adjusting to a new normal. With the lifting of provincial restrictions on vaccines and masks, a new era of recovery began. Our return to the office brought unique challenges in a post-pandemic environment. New workplace priorities emerged, and in response, new strategies were developed. Special attention was given to team well-being, risk management, technology, fundraising, professional development and recruiting and retaining staff and volunteers. Despite the many challenges, we continued to expand our services and enhance accessibility to all women subjected to intimate partner violence living across Ontario.
Organizationally, we had some exciting changes. We made great strides towards the implementation of our 10-year strategic plan. Luke’s Place Legal Services Director Emily Murray was named the new Legal Director, taking over from Pamela Cross, who held the position since 2009. Pamela Cross stepped into the new position of Advocacy Director. Both organizational pillars saw considerable growth this past year.
We expanded our legal services to include limited scope service and added a staff lawyer to support women in person and online both in Durham Region, and across the province.
Under the leadership of Pamela Cross and Emily Murray, Luke’s Place was particularly active in its advocacy efforts in family law and the family court system both on a provincial and federal level including involvement in Bill C-233, Bill C-21, Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia at the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Culleton, Kuzyk, and Warmerdam (CKW) Inquest.
Looking forward to the year ahead, we are thrilled that we will soon share our service delivery model nationally, through training, resources, and consultation support. We are excited to be hosting our annual gathering for Ontario’s Family Court Support Workers live and in-person for the first time since 2019. Also, 2023/24 marks our organization’s 20th anniversary of service delivery, an exciting milestone for Luke’s Place. None of this work would have been possible without the generosity of our funders and donors, the commitment of our staff and volunteers, and the support of our community.