Happy International Women's Day, Finders!

International Women's Day on March 8th provides an important opportunity to celebrate women's achievements while calling for greater equality.

This year, we would like to take a minute to talk about some of the amazing women in leadership positions on our team. 

Bev Latta is Find's General Manager and has been with our team for 2 years. Bev is very dedicated to her team and works tirelessly to make sure each department has what they need to be successful in their roles. She has a background in fashion and merchandizing which has helped to elevate the Find brand throughout the thrift store and really showcase the amazing donations that come through our doors. When asked why she chose to bring her skillset to Find Edmonton she had to say:

"It was by luck that Find found me, or visa versa. I am grateful to be contributing in a small way, along with so many other dedicated individuals and organizations, to be able to find a group of people that have the same end goal as me, to create an impact, to make a difference and be a part of the solution to ending homelessness. Every day I am learning and growing with every shared experience and every small act of giving. It's important to me to move forward in partnership with people to try and end homelessness. I love Find! The people and our mission. I'm proud and humbled to be a part of this organization." 

Bev is a great mentor to all staff members at Find, but especially to supervisors, Mia and Tamara, who oversee the retail thrift store and processing department respectively. 

Mia just celebrated her one year anniversary with Find and has been busy working to implement new structures and build relationships with our customers and supporters. When asked about what drew her to Find she mentioned:

"Working at FIND is my dream job!

I get to contribute to a great cause helping people transfer into a home they can call their own after experiencing homelessness. 

Everyone deserves a safe place to live!

I love working the Retail floor because I get to meet new people everyday and let them know about the awesome work we do in the community.

The atmosphere at FIND is so loving, caring, accommodating and true sense of what teamwork really is!"

A big part of that atmosphere is because of Mia, who brings such a fun, upbeat and positive attitude to each shift. She manages with kindness and compassion and genuinely cares about each and every customer that walks through the doors. She and Tamara work closely together to make sure that both departments are set up for success and work together to reach our goals. 

Tamara has been with Find for a short time, but has made a big impact. She has focused on processes and systems for processing team and brings a passion and knowledge set for antiques and specialty items. When asked what brought her to Find she had this to say: 

"I have always believed that every person deserves a place to call home. A place that is warm, safe and secure.

I learned more about Find through Bev Latta as we both worked in another charity organization.

When Bev told me she was coming to work at Find…  I was curious about this organization, as I had never heard of Find or Homeward Trust.

Once I learned more about the mission, I knew that at some point I wanted to be apart of this organization.

I learned that Find had a position opened for a Processing Supervisor, which I had already been doing and I knew it was going to be a great learning opportunity for me in regards to understanding the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Since coming to Find, I have learned more than I could even imagine. The amazing work that both Homeward Trust and Find do for people and the community, and being apart of the solution in these organizations is very rewarding. At the end of the day, you feel like you have made a difference in someone’s life by helping to provided the basic essentials in a place that is warm safe and secure that they can call home…  This to me is worth everything."

Left to right, Tamara, Bev and Mia 

These women continuously show strength and dedication to their roles, Find as a whole and our community and we are so lucky to have their leadership and guidance on our team. 

Today and every day we celebrate Bev, Mia, Tamara and all the amazing, hard working and courageous women on our team, that we partner with and that support ending homelessness in Edmonton. 

We are stronger together and together, we will end homelessness!