Len 00:02
Welcome. My name is Len Lane, and I am the founder and president of Brokers for Life Inc., and we are Dominion Lending Centres in Western Canada. The topic of our podcast will be about what we consider to be Real Life Mortgage Solutions. Welcome back. Episode 43. Who knew? Right? Those podcasters, I’m told, only do 2 or 3. But we’re into season four and this part of the season, of course, we’re coming into the later months of the year. We want to give back to society some other than helping out on mortgage stuff. So we do support several local charities that are founded here and run locally. And one of them is Little Warriors. Some of you have heard me talk about it probably in the past. We have invited many of you to join us for the luncheon, where we buy a table and try to introduce more people to the good work that they’re doing. But my guest today is, it’s very exciting for me. I didn’t think I would actually get the CEO, but we did. So my guest today is Dr Wanda Holman. Welcome to the show.

Dr. Holman: [00:01:13] Thank you.

Len: [00:01:14] I just thought we’d, you know, kind of let the, some extra people know about Little Warriors. Maybe give us some background on how it all started, and we can talk about where it’s going. And unfortunately, we’ll have to talk about why it’s needed as well.

Dr. Holman: [00:01:28] Sure. Sounds good. Well, first of all, I just want to say thank you for bringing awareness to this topic. I know it’s a difficult topic to talk about, but we started Little Warriors, actually started over 15 years ago. Our founder, Glory Meldrum herself had experienced abuse as a child. And so it was her goal to create trauma informed center that focuses on child sexual abuse. And the stats out there are that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys under the age of 18 will at some point receive or be involved in some kind of sexual assault.

Len: [00:02:16] Yeah. Which is a staggering number, right? It’s, to me, it seems like it’s in the news more and more every day. Something, maybe we don’t hear the actual stories, but of child pornography rings, things like that, that you know, obviously that’s all part of the bigger problem as well, right? So let’s maybe talk about some of your programs.

Dr. Holman: [00:02:39] Sure. Little Warriors has several different programs. On one end of the continuum, we have a program called Prevent It. And Prevent it serves about 4000 adults per year. The goal of the prevention program is just that, is to prevent child sexual abuse. Bring awareness to adults who may not really understand how to recognize some of the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse. So we have an in-person session. We have facilitators all across Canada that deliver the program in person, and it’s about a three hour program. Or anybody can take it online, and that’s only about 90 minutes. So we talk a lot about the myths. We talk about the symptoms. We talk about, for parents specifically and caregivers of children, how to recognize things that may be off. A lot of times, unfortunately, child sexual abuse offenders will groom the parents or caregivers prior to even having any involvement with the child. Unfortunately.

Len: [00:03:53] Yeah. It, over the luncheons, we have heard some amazing stories. I can’t remember his first name, but the singer from Great Big Sea right to hear how that in what we should be considering the most trusted situation, turned into something that went to an extreme to actually take it outside of the country and to have that happen. Sexually assaulted in another part of the world. Right? Which is crazy. The Be Brave Ranch. I’ve had the good opportunity to be out there 2 or 3 times. Strangely enough, kind of the relationship with Little warriors began because one of your board members and I knew each other, and he put out something that said he needed lumber for a deck. So I said, well, that’s probably not that big a deal. So we donated lumber for the deck, and it kind of grew from there. So Be Brave Ranch, obviously, ongoing work. So how, what is happening there?

Dr. Holman: [00:04:55] Yeah. So we have an intensive episodic treatment center. As far as we know, it’s the only one of its kind across the world actually. There’s other trauma centers. There’s other child mental health clinics and specialty services, but specifically for child sexual abuse, the Be Brave Ranch is right here in Alberta, and we do have children who come from all across Canada to our center. We have various modalities of therapy that we support the children and families who come there with. So we have individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy. We have equine-assisted therapy, animal-assisted therapy, art, music. So our goal really is to support the child and their caregivers where they’re at and really build upon their strengths, build upon their resiliency, and really support them through using evidence-based treatments. As you mentioned, Len, I’m so glad you brought this up, because we’re really diligent about the funds that come in to support the children and teens and families. And so we actually have a resource committee, and our resource committee is built from folks in the community, from various backgrounds, because we really do believe everybody has an ability to give and everybody brings value. And so, yeah, sometimes that’s in lumber, sometimes it’s in roofing, sometimes it’s, you know, helping us get the grass cut. We have 120 acres. And so we have a lot going on and ten buildings to support the programs that we offer.

Len: [00:06:47] Right. And donations, right? Of course, come in many shapes and forms. Quilts. So I understand they’re a big one for you guys as well.

Dr. Holman: [00:06:57] Yeah. We very much have people contributing in various ways. And one of those ways we have a quilt room and quilts come from all across Canada. So every time a child or teen comes for their initial round of therapy, we have episodes of care. So their very first round of therapy they get to go to, we call it our quilt room and it’s a wrap it in, wrap them in love program where quilters will send quilts in so that the children and teens can have their brand new, you know, specially made quilt for them during their stay. And then they take it home, back to their communities. So it’s really incredible how people in the community do and are able to come together. And really, truly, I know we hear this all the time, but it really does take a village to put the programs together that we’re able to offer at Little Warriors.

Len: [00:08:02] Yeah. It’s always interesting to see how that and the beginning of Be Brave Ranch was always an interesting story. I thought as well, maybe give a little glimpse of how that happened.

Dr. Holman: [00:08:17] Yeah. So, as I mentioned, Glory Meldrum, our founder, had a vision to create a very specialized treatment center where children and families can come together and heal. We know that healing takes place in relationship. And I think that that’s really anyone who comes to the Be Brave Ranch immediately feels that when they come on site. So we started with a children’s program about 11 years ago. And so the children’s program offers programming for 8 to 12 year olds, and they come for an initial round of therapy, and then they go back to their homes or communities for about three months, and then they come back for 12 days and they go home for three months, and they do that four times. And the goal of that is to really support children and their caregivers to be able to build resiliency, learn new skills and strategies, understand their trauma, and continue to grow and build resilience. And so we know that it’s easier to do that when there’s a very therapeutic setting, such as the Be Brave Ranch. But it’s sometimes more difficult when children and families are struggling in their own homes or their own communities for various reasons. And so we try to support them through offering transitional coordinators and supports, even in between the rounds of therapy. So essentially we support a child for over a year of their time with us. So from that children’s program, we very quickly knew that we needed an adolescent program. And so we have an adolescent program for 13 to 18 year olds. And then we have just continued to grow with an intensive family program. We know that the issues related to intergenerational trauma are often significant and supporting the whole family offers, you know, a really, a way forward in changing the trajectory of not only the family, but the child’s life and what we believe is generations to come.

Len: [00:10:42] Yes. And that’s a great segue into what you guys have announced lately that the Building a Path Forward program.

Dr. Holman: [00:10:51] Yeah. So we continue to work with a scientific and clinical council, along with the University of Alberta. And so we have outcome measures and feedback that comes from our programing and within the community and other stakeholders. And some of the programs that we are looking at is really developing programming and potentially partnering with other stakeholders related to adult therapy. So not necessarily adults who have been sexually abused as adults, but adults who have been sexually abused as children. We’ve very often, received information and sometimes from parents of the children that we serve is that they haven’t received proper treatment from their perspective, or things that have really been helpful to specifically relate to the supports of their child sexual abuse trauma. And so we have done a scoping review and environmental scan. And we’re looking at ways to support adults in… further. We’re also looking at developing our animal-assisted therapy programs. We have an equine program that we work with psychologists and others who have specific involvement with horses. But we also have two facility dogs, and our facility dogs are in collaboration with Dogs with Wings. But we’re also looking at other animals because we know that sometimes the children and teens that we’re working with struggle very much to have a relationship with adults. And so sometimes the segue of having a relationship with safe animals and that connection can continue to build the relationship forward with human beings in a safe way.

Len: [00:12:55] So no cats? I’m pretty sure cats don’t qualify for that program. And that’s interesting because my ex-brother-in-law was the executive director for Dogs with Wings for quite a few years. And we did quite a bit of work with them, but I’m so highly allergic that keeping a puppy in the house and stuff like that was not an option. So what are some of the great ways that people can help? I know personally, we, you know, we support the yearly luncheon, we always have a team out to the golf tournament and things like that. And that one… my score is not getting any better. So we’re never going to win that one. But that means I don’t have enough time to practice. Which is fine. So what? What other ways? I see quite a list here. I see a book that you have written as well.

Dr. Holman: [00:13:47] Yeah, I’ve written a couple of different books in conjunction with another psychologist specifically relating to child sexual abuse concerns and issues. All of our information on that is listed on our website at LittleWarriors.ca. But to your question about how people can support and help, there are so many different ways we have an ongoing wish list on our website that changes. So for example, as the weather gets colder, we often are needing boots and coats. And so when people are cleaning out their closets, you know, we would appreciate that. We know that that’s always a need. Golf tournaments. We have third party events ongoing all the time. And so participating in those is great. You know, our luncheon is a big fundraiser for us as well. And usually that’s in May. And so we appreciate folks like you who continue to support us in that way, because we really wouldn’t be able to do the programming that we do without that. There’s just ongoing opportunities too, for people who have businesses and different products to join our resource committee. So, like you said, sometimes we need lumber to build decks, but we also need volunteers to support us to do things like in the summer, cut grass and, you know, help us clean the enormous amount of toys that we have, to ensure that we’re under licensing, or meeting the licensing requirements. So there’s just… I could go on and on, but I would just, you know, really encourage people to check out the website and anybody who’s interested in coming out for a tour. Definitely you can see it online, but when you’re in person, it’s very different and I think brings a better understanding.

Len: [00:15:50] And just the entranceway portion of it is… tells you how serious it is. Right? So I think that’s probably one of the biggest things that we saw out of it as well that, you know, it’s growing. It’s always changing. And that’s important right, to keep it up to date? So. Yeah. And it’s for the luncheon, we always have the goal of filling that table and to fill it with new people every year. And so I think we’re at 50 some people that we’ve introduced and some of them have a pretty high level positions, being in the mortgage industry for the last 20 years. It’s… we’ve met quite a few of the local VPs and stuff like that for the banks. So they are always, always at our table. And hopefully that gets… expands out into their organizations as well. So, I see you have everything on your site from obviously donate cash to donate a car. So, yeah, that’s interesting. You know, we don’t think about that one, but I guess that’s always something that to be considered. The other thing I see on your site, and I saw it on another site this week for the first time is the quick exit. I always, I guess that is a feature that more and more of the sites like yours are, are putting in so that if somebody is on there looking for something that they can safely get out of there quickly because it goes right to blank. And you click on that. So that was a touching, heart touching thing to see that that has to be there, unfortunately.

Dr. Holman: [00:17:28] Yeah. Yeah.

Len: [00:17:29] So new plans, new buildings, all that kind of stuff going on I know for you guys. So.

Dr. Holman: [00:17:35] Yeah, I mean, we continue, unfortunately, to grow and have to grow, you know, the research out there and since the pandemic has given us information that there’s been about a 1,800% increase in online sexual abuse specifically towards children. We know that there’s, you know, ongoing issues that are happening. Just even yesterday, there was a notification through the RCMP that there was a huge child abuse sexual ring found out, with enormous amount of material. So unfortunately, these things are not slowing down. They are very problematic. And online just opens up so much more possible risk and safety concerns for children and families.

Len: [00:18:33] Yeah. And that, you know, like I said, it’s almost become like it’s steadily in the news. Good news is that brings some awareness. But the bad news is that it’s still happening regardless of what is going on in… with trying to prevent it. Right? So, I think we’ll leave it there. It’s probably enough information. People will hopefully get to your website and check it out some more. I do appreciate your time this morning. I’m going to do a little extra part as well as the intro a bit because I stumbled over your name, but I appreciate your time, and I’m thankful that you’re able to do this kind of work, so.

Dr. Holman: [00:19:16] Yeah. Thank you, Len, I appreciate all your ongoing support. Really appreciate this today as well. So hope you have a great day.

Len: [00:19:23] You too.

Dr. Holman: [00:19:24] Thanks. Okay. Bye.

Len: [00:19:26] So, my guest today was Dr Wanda Holsen. So Little Warriors is one of the many local charities that we give money to every year. It’s part of our overall culture, I guess, if you want to call it that. It’s not funded by any federal or provincial monies. I think they got a little $50,000 this year. Big deal. For the first time in a long time. And like she said, 15 years they have been out there helping children get through sexual abuse. And the stories that you will hear at the luncheons and online and things like that just rip out your heart, right? So referred to the gentleman from Great Big Sea. He’s one of the lead singers, I believe, but, you know, totally, totally groomed by a Catholic priest who ended up taking him to the Vatican, which is outside of Canada, so not governed by Canadian law, believe it or not. So a lot of stories that everybody needs to hear. Take your little ones and hug them because somebody out there is, you know, they’re online at the… you gotta have it locked down pretty tight these days. So, anyways, have a great day. Thanks for listening today. Hope you found the information that we provided to be useful in your mortgage journey. And remember you can always find our associates at www.brokersforlife.ca/associates. Have a great day.