(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

NEOSS Adopt a Family

NEOSS Adopt a Family looking for adopters as Christmas approaches

Dec 13, 2025 | 10:38 AM

North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS) has launched its Adopt a Family program again for the holiday season.

Outreach Worker Tracey Zwozdesky told northeastNOW it is a community-driven initiative that helps ensure families facing hardship that they still experience the joy of Christmas.

“The program provides support to parents who may be struggling to create a holiday celebration for their children, and it offers them a chance to enjoy the season with less stress and a bit more hope,” Zwozdesky explains.

The families supported through Adopt a Family are those connected to NEOSS through the organization’s Women’s Shelter, as well as their Treehouse, Second Stage Housing, or Outreach programs. Zwozdesky said clients from anywhere within the northeast that they serve can be matched with an adopter.

As the Christmas season is upon us, NEOSS is primarily accepting grocery gift cards, and monetary donations.

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“These are the most effective ways for us to quickly meet families’ needs during the final stretch of the season.”

Those wishing to adopt a family this Christmas season can contact Tracey at tzwozdesky@neoss.ca. You can fill out an application form that allows adopters to indicate the family size they’d like to support and the types of items they want to buy. Zwozdesky said once matched, the family completes a Christmas wish list to help guide the adopter’s shopping.

Adopt a Family has been a part of NEOSS for many years, and Zwozdesky said the program has become a program very close to the NEOSS family.

“NEOSS’s role in organizing Adopt A Family has grown every year, which reflects both the increasing need in our communities and the generosity of the people who step forward to help,” said Zwozdesky. “It’s incredibly important to us to continue coordinating this effort, as we see firsthand the difference it makes for families who are struggling.”

Zwozdesky said delivering the gifts each year is a reminder as to why the program is so crucial in the northeast.

“The smiles, the tears of relief, and the overwhelming gratitude from parents are moments that stay with us,” she said. “We cannot thank our adopters enough for the kindness and compassion they continue to show—this program simply wouldn’t be possible without them.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com