Candace House, a cornerstone of support for family survivors of homicide, marked a special milestone this week. 

On Tuesday, the organization celebrated five years of service and the conclusion of their $1 million expansion campaign.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable success of Candace House. This journey has been defined by courage, compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to providing refuge and care to those who have faced unimaginable violence and loss," said Cecilly Hildebrand, executive director of Candace House.

The fifth-anniversary celebration is not only a reflection on the courage of those impacted by violence but also a triumph of community support.

“Candace House has exceeded our highest expectations," said Wilma Derksen, Candace House visionary. "We are so proud of Cecilly and her team, the board, and all those that contribute to Candace House and what they have done over the years. I think they’ve accomplished something unique and fantastic and amazing. It takes courage to fulfill a dream, and they have done it beautifully."

At a press conference held yesterday, the Candace House team also announced the conclusion of their $1 million expansion campaign, which saw Candace House grow from 1500 square feet to 3600 square feet. 

"The statistics tell a stark story, with homicide rates having nearly doubled in the past five years in comparison to the five years prior. Yet, after these past few years, after this last weekend, we don’t need statistics to tell us how profound the violence is and how devastating its impact on families and our community."

Since its inception five years ago, Candace House has provided hope, refuge, and care to over 1300 people in connection to over 140 homicides.