Jessie's - Honouring June

June Callwood, renowned social activist and founder of Jessie's Centre for Teenagers, has passed away after a long illness.

"We feel a little orphaned. We have lost our founder, friend and agency mother. Without June's passion, there would be no Jessie's Centre," said Liz Chamberlain, Executive Director. "June committed 25 years of her life to our Centre and helped us build a strong vibrant service that has helped thousands of families, just as she helped support so many other fine organizations."

In 1982, Callwood founded Jessie's Centre, a comprehensive centre for pregnant teenagers and teen parents to give them support through the crucial early years of their children's lives.

On the occasion of our 25th Annual General Meeting she added: "Never in my life, [except for my family] have I done anything I'm prouder of than Jessie's." "Jessie's gives babies a sound start by helping their young mothers and what could be more important than that", said June Callwood, in August of 2006.

Growing up in the close-knit community of Belle River, June experienced the care of not just her immediate family but also of neighbours and friends. "When Jessie's Centre for Teenagers was created in 1982, that organic model of communities helping to raise families became the vision for our services," said Megan Evans, President of the Board of Jessie's Centre.

The model soon outstripped its original space and in the late 1980s Callwood enlisted Peter Bronfman and 75 corporations and foundations to build a new Jessie's Centre at 205 Parliament Street. Designed by Jack Diamond and built by Ellis-Don - at cost - that Centre is now home to more than 30 services for pregnant teens and teen families. Jessie's helps more than 1,300 individuals a year. Jessie's Centre occupies two sun-filled floors, with counselling and support groups, a high school classroom, and a nursery filled with stained glass windows, rocking chairs and toys. Above the Centre, are four floors of apartments for young families.

In August 2006, despite her failing health, Callwood launched a $400,000 campaign to raise funds to preserve Jessie's Centre. In October of that same year, at Jessie's 25th Annual General Meeting, several of the Centre's first mothers and their children - now fully-grown - paid tribute to June, for her unwavering dedication in advancing the quality of life for thousands of young women and their families.

"Even though June had little energy in her last few weeks, she would still come regularly to Jessie's to raise funds, celebrate our anniversary, and to hug everyone in sight. We tried to slow her down, but we could see how these visits invigorated her. We are all the richer for her drive and compassion," said Ms. Chamberlain. "We are confident that June's dedication will continue to inspire us at Jessie's. We hope that everyone, from our political leaders to individual Canadians, will volunteer and make a difference in June's name."

In June's memory, we have created a short video tribute to June Callwood and her 25 years at Jessie's Centre for Teenagers. That video can be viewed by clicking on the link above.

June Callwood - Mother to Jessie's Centre
(Submitted on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Jessie's Centre)

Without June Callwood there would be no Jessie's Centre for Teenagers. What began as an extraordinary dream could not have grown into an impressive reality without her love and support. In our early years, June was everywhere, beginning as the Chairperson of the Taskforce on Teenage Pregnancy in 1979 - that led to the formation of Jessie's Centre - and then later as President of our Board of Directors.

While her astonishing ability to talk anyone into anything gave us our start-up and core funding throughout our formative years, it was her wisdom and experience that helped shape us over the long-term. Growing up in the close-knit community of Belle River, June experienced the care of not just her immediate family but also of neighbours and friends. When Jessie's Centre was created, that organic model of communities helping to raise families became the vision for our services.

Later, when Jessie's Centre needed its own permanent home, June was there for us once again. She enlisted Peter Bronfman to our cause and together they raised the money to build our Centre at 205 Parliament Street. This amazing building, designed by Jack Diamond and built by Ellis-Don - at cost - was the result of their combined efforts. Our Centre now occupies two sun-filled floors and we built four floors of apartments for young families above that. We have more than 30 integrated programs and we help over 1,300 individuals a year, including 550 families.

June has never wavered in her belief in young parents and their potential to realize their dreams for themselves and their children. Her passion and devotion for our organization has created a resource for thousands of young parents and their babies. Many of these parents visit us for years afterward and our "alumni" always speak of the significance that Jessie's has played in their lives. For 25 years, Jessie's Centre has been a place where they feel respected, valued and empowered to grow into their new roles as adults and parents.

We are all grateful that June Callwood had the courage, strength and determination to bring our dream to fruition. June is truly the mother of Jessie's Centre and one need only look around to see the results of her good parenting.

"I love Jessie's with all my heart. It is a matter of great pride for me to be associated with Jessie's. The agency is held in the highest regard everywhere I go and is used as a model for agencies across the country."
June Callwood, October 2006

Donations in memory of June can be sent to Jessie's Centre for Teenagers, 205 Parliament Street, Toronto, M5A 2Z4 or by clicking on the "Canada Helps" logo below and making a donation online.