This International Women’s Day, we’re honouring a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident who has spent the last 25 years making a world of difference for families in town.
Steffanie Bjorgan founded Red Roof Retreat in 2000 and volunteered her time for eight years until 2008, when she transitioned to the paid position she has today.
Red Roof Retreat is a local charity that provides recreational and respite services to children and young adults with special needs. Its main hub, “The Ranch,” is located on an 11-acre farm on Concession 6 Road.
Born out of necessity, Red Roof started when Bjorgan struggled to find the right programs for her son, Garrett, who has cerebral palsy.
“I had a really hard time finding programming,” she said.
So she took matters into her own hands and started running summer camps at her house, she said.
“That way, my kids had something to do. We invited kids from the community and then we got to know families,” she said. “It all just sort of went from there.”
These backyard summer camps eventually grew into Red Roof — a charity that now provides year-round support for families, including a weekend respite and adult day program, plus regular recreational programs.
Those who attend the summer camp get to spend six weeks taking part in activities like arts and crafts, movies, baking and more, plus hanging out at “The Ranch” and its hobby farm, home to farm animals such as horses, goats and bunnies, plus hiking the farm’s trails.
Red Roof has always relied on volunteers and fundraising, never government funding, Bjorgan said. It takes part in a handful of fundraising efforts every year, including an annual pasta dinner in April.
“Every single day, I get reminded about how good people are,” she said.
Bjorgan said despite the struggles of the population Red Roof serves, it’s inspiring to witness their resilience and optimism and the kindness of those who help.
“I am so lucky to have my job,” she said, while also acknowledging it hasn’t always been easy.
“We’ve had 25 years of amazing support, but that doesn’t mean at night I don’t go, what if, what if, what if,” she said.
In the beginning, Bjorgan said it was motivating to have service clubs like the Rotary Club and businesses like the McDonald’s in town quickly support Red Roof, without hesitation, after hearing her vision.
“That was like, whoa, that’s a sign from the universe that we are on the right track,” she said.
Now, with each expansion, Bjorgan said she’s reminded of the community’s unwavering support.
“Every time, people have rallied around us and supported us and said, ‘You can do this.’”
Before starting at Red Roof full-time in 2008, Bjorgan spent 17 years as a teacher at the former Parliament Oak public school.
“Keeping it local,” she said, adding that she found it incredibly rewarding to teach many kids with families she knew personally.
Being a NOTL resident is something Bjorgan is proud of and makes a priority, she said.
“I married a local guy who was literally born in the Niagara-on-the-Lake hospital. So we’re about as Niagara-on-the-Lake as it gets,” she said.
That’s why Red Roof and its expansions have always stayed in town.
“When the vision for Red Roof was coming to fruition, we knew this was the place to do it,” she said. “Red Roof was born and raised here.”
Bjorgan said NOTL’s socially and economically conscious community made her success possible.
“I don’t think we could have done this anywhere else except this community,” she said.
But she also had to trust her vision and support it with consistent action.
“If you visualize something and you manifest it — it’s the right thing. It will work,” she said.
“Motion is lotion. Just keep moving and using your brain,” Bjorgan said, adding that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is needed to achieve this.
For fun, Bjorgan reads, works out, spends time with friends and family and hikes. Looking for a spot to hike in NOTL? She recommends the Niagara Gorge.
Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Bjorgan said she has always felt fortunate to avoid any kind of differential treatment at Red Roof and in the town of NOTL for being a woman.
She said she’s always been accepted and supported, just like everyone else, which she truly appreciates.
We celebrate Bjorgan — and all the women in our community — for their ongoing contributions and the difference they make every day.
