Friesens Corporation’s support of Candace House continues with the Altona company’s annual donation of $2,000.
Located near the law courts building in downtown Winnipeg, Candace House provides a home-like environment for the survivors of violent crime navigating the justice system to rest, meet with lawyers, and receive support from Victim Services.
The facility was created in memory of Candace Derksen, a Winnipeg teenager who went missing on her way home from school. Her body was later found not far from her home. It was decades before her killer was tried.
Candace’s mother, Wilma Derksen, became an advocate for the victims of violent crime and dreamed of a place they and their families could find comfort and support during the court process. Candace House opened in 2018.
It’s a cause that’s deeply personal for Odia Reimer, vice-president of people and culture at Friesens and a director with Candace House.
“As Candace’s sister, my connection to Candace House is both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful,” she shares. “Serving on the board allows me to carry Candace’s memory forward in a tangible way. As the family representative, my role is to help steward the mission, guide the organization’s direction, and ensure that every decision honours the spirit in which Candace House was created. For me, this work is not only about governance—it is a commitment to hope, healing, and hospitality for families at their most vulnerable moments.
“Each time I see the impact Candace House has, I’m reminded of the strength of community and the power of love to bring light into the darkest of places,” Reimer says. “I am honoured to continue this work alongside an incredible team, carrying both my mom’s vision and my sister’s memory into the future.”
Giving back by supporting organizations like Candace House is part of Friesens broader commitment to community care and storytelling, the company said in a statement.
