A new leader has been appointed for the Hamilton-based charity True Colours, following the retirement of CEO and founder, Dr. Cynthia Ward.
The new CEO, Heidi Gleeson, has had a 15-year association with the charity, starting as a volunteer in 2010 before moving into a full-time role as an administrator.
Heidi Gleeson, the CEO of True Colours. Photo Courtesy.
Gleeson said she was proud to be trusted to lead the charity and continue Cynthia’s vision of supporting children with serious health conditions. The change was described on facebook as “a well thought out and executed transition”, one that will see Ward continuing her involvement at a board and strategic level.
Being at the organization for 15 years, she feels like “part of the furniture here now” but was inspired to get involved after seeing its positive impact on friends.
“I saw firsthand how True Colours supported my daughter’s best friend, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at six years old. Although she passed away 15 months after her diagnosis, it made True Colours personal.”
Gleeson said they supports families to stand strong in their toughest times and are committed to walking alongside them throughout their journey from the time of diagnosis.
Her personal experience when her daughter was born premature in 2001 has also helped her to understand some of the journey parents have, and how valuable support is when times are “not easy”.
Outside and inside the True Colours House in Frankton. Photos by Cas Ead and Joey Sanders.
The community-funded organisation provides nursing through psychological support, education, and advocacy, and support can start from as early as a 20-week pregnancy scan, through to young adults.
“Continuity is crucial for young people who are growing into adulthood, carrying the emotional and physical impacts of early diagnoses. We try to catch up even if it is over coffee.”
We are not frivolous with our funds. We are conscious that the donated money is being used for the right thing.
Supporting families to stand strong and see them through their daily lives is what they are proud of, adding that their biggest impact is being able to help families go on with their normal life, “something people take for granted”, by supporting them back to school and building their confidence.
True Colours services are offered depending on how long families need the services, which can be monthly check-ups or consistently over a longer period. The services can be done at the True Colours House or the family’s homes.
Gleeson said they do that to ensure children feel comfortable in the True Colours House by creating a comfy, homely environment for them to settle in before getting into activities like music and art, “It is all about making them feel comfortable. We offer adults drinks and kids get to choose what they want before involving them in, some play, art or music therapy with one of the teens.”
She added that although the diagnosis stage is hard, there are overlooked effects of chronic illness, such as financial stress, relationship strain, and emotional toll on siblings. The ripple effects are huge and different for every family.
With part of their support being helping families to build resilience, they wrap around a family as quickly as possible to try and prevent mental health conditions which can be life impacting.
“We deal with multiple sad and tough stories; it is important to take care of our own well-being. We balance it with lightness and laughter; it reinforces spending time together with the people that you love,” Gleeson said.
The dream is to have True Colours branches in every city, while sustaining current operations in Hamilton.
The team connects on social planned afternoons on Wednesdays, sometimes cycling, while Gleeson enjoys going to the gym and yoga.
She said, despite the services they offer, they do not receive government funding. They are community-funded, through sponsorship and grant funders to to run their services for free.
As a charity, True Colours also focuses on profile building and getting its brand to potential sponsors, reaching out to people who may need its support and haven’t heard about them.
“It is amazing how generous our community is, this can be by giving $10 a month or the True Colours Day donations. We are not frivolous with our funds. We are conscious that the donated money is being used for the right thing.”
Gleeson said she looks forward to continuing to build a dedicated team and making sure they are a stable and sustainable organization.
She added their biggest achievement is to be there for another 21 years. “The dream is to have True Colours branches in every city, while sustaining current operations in Hamilton. We want to keep growing, supporting, and being that beacon for families navigating medical adversity.”
