History of Mrs. Lucci’s
1998- 1999
Spring – Public Health (Jodene), Centennial School (Joanne), and the Lac du Bonnet Chamber of Commerce discuss community need for a program that offers employability skills to unemployed individuals in the community. The idea of a second hand store is also discussed
June – Received a grant from Service Canada [formally – Human Resource Development Canada] to work with unemployed youth -15-29 years of age. 2000 sq ft is rented and renovated at 3 Park Avenue. . Agassiz School Division administers funding from HRDC.
July – Community donations for the second hand store start piling up, literally an 8 foot pile of clothes is donated along with books, housewares and children’s toys. Joyce Guss is our first customer, she purchased items prior to even being open.
August – Mrs. Lucci’s Secondhand Store opens to the public. Clara Heibert is hired as Store Manager/Volunteer Coordinator and “left brain”.
September – Clients begin year long program focusing on developing employability skills.
1999-2000
Mrs. Lucci’s Board is formed to assume responsibility for program. Founding Board members include:
Dorothy Boznianin – Chairperson
Jodene Dudgeon – Vice Chairperson
Rita Lansard – Treasurer
Rod Demoline – Director
Mel Mitchell – Director
Gil Godin – Secretary
Terri Schwartz – Director
“A Taste of Success” program continues as in the year prior. Secondhand store Profit Sharing Program continues to thrive.
2000-2001
Mrs. Lucci’s receives funding from Healthy Child Manitoba. Kristin Easton is hired as Early Childhood Facilitator. The following new programs were offered:
- Babysitting Course
- Grandma Reading Helpers
- Muffin Program
- Grade Six Girls Club
- High School Girls Club
- High School Boys Day
- Parents Helping Parents
Mrs. Lucci’s also received one time funding from the National Crime Prevention Centre for a summer day camp program.
Mrs. Lucci’s begins participating in community and regional inter-agency committees.
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $38,672.74 back to the community.
2001-2002
The idea is hatched for our own building. Bob Draward volunteers to help with proposal writing for the new facility.
Mrs. Lucci’s receives additional funding from Manitoba Education and Training for the “Taste of Success” Program.
New initiative’s were introduced:
- Homework club
- Kids Kits
- Books for Beginners
- Mother Goose training sessions
Board members include:
Jodene Dudgeon -Chairperson Mel Mitchell – Vice Chairperson Rod Demoline – Treasurer Rita Lansard – Director Gil Godin – Secretary Terri Schwartz – Director
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $50,927.41 back to the community.
2002-2003
Mrs. Lucci’s receives the Peter F. Drucker Award.
Mrs. Lucci’s Second hand Store officially changes name to Winnipeg River Community Resource Centre. Why? To help the community to understand that we are more than just a secondhand store because the community continues to call us Mrs. Lucci’s.
Board members include:
Mel Mitchell -Chairperson
Terri Schwartz – Vice Chairperson
Eugene Typa – Treasurer
Rita Lansard – Director
Gil Godin – Secretary
Jodene Dudgeon – Director
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $63,190.51 back to the community.
2003 – 2004
Mrs. Lucci’s comes to their senses and changes their name (again) to Mrs. Lucci’s Resource Centre.
As of July 31, 2004 Mrs. Lucci’s successfully acquired $529,382 for the construction of the new building.
Janice Enright becomes a Board Member.
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $76,317.47 back to the community.
2004 – 2005
October – Mrs. Lucci’s moved into the new 4,700 sq. ft. facility at 76 Third Street. The Kitchen Table teaching cafe opened in February.
Board members include:
Mel Mitchell -Chairperson
Terri Schwartz – Vice Chairperson
Eugene Typa – Treasurer
Janice Enright – Director
Gil Godin – Secretary
Debbie Viel – Director
Rita Lansard – Director
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $90,556.62 back to the community.
2005 – 2006
Mrs. Lucci’s Receives Minister’s Award
All of the above Board of Directors and programs remain the same except for the addition of the Transitional Classroom funded by Sunrise School Division. Two proposals are submitted requesting funding for a Homelessness Shelter and for a Vocational Training Centre in the region.
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $103,055.00 back to the community.
2006 – 2007
Board of members include:
Terri Schwartz – Chairperson
Glen Reitlo – Vice Chairperson
Eugene Typa – Treasurer
Janice Enright – Director
Gil Godin – Secretary
Myrna Suski – Director
Ruby Payette – Director
Harvey Sanders – Director
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $113,585.00 back to the community.
2007 – 2008
Board of members include:
Carol Nilsson – Chairperson
Vacant – Vice Chairperson
Mavis Maslow – Treasurer
Janice Enright – Secretary
Myrna Suski – Director
Dianne Lussier – Director
Councillor Bill Campbell – Director (Town of Lac du Bonnet)
To date Mrs. Lucci’s has given $126,585.00 back to the community.
2008 – 2009
Board of members include:
Dianne Lussier – Chairperson
Carol Nilsson – Vice Chairperson
Mavis Maslow – Treasurer
Janice Enright – Secretary
Myrna Suski – Director
Leslie Wakeman – Director
Councillor Bill Campbell – Director (Town of Lac du Bonnet)
2009 – 2010
Board of members include:
Dianne Lussier – Chairperson
Carol Nilsson – Vice Chair
Mavis Maslow – Secretary/Treasurer
Bill Campbell – Director
Myrna Suski – Director
Tracy Cameron – Director
Leslie Wakeman – Director
2010 – 2011
Mrs. Lucci’s receives the Heroes of Mental Health Awards
Board of members include:
Dianne Lussier – Chairperson
Carol Nilsson – Vice Chair
Mavis Maslow – Secretary/Treasurer
Velma Magnusson – Director
Myrna Suski – Director
Tracy Cameron – Director
Leslie Wakeman – Director