#HelpKeepHerSafe 2021 has begun!
#HelpKeepHerSafe 2021 has begun!
Women's Centre of York Region started the #HelpKeepHerSafe Campaign at the onset of COVID-19 when intimate partner violence (IPV) skyrocketed. The campaign allowed us to pivot online and continue to provide free services despite the loss of funding. The ongoing purpose of the campaign is to meet the needs of women in the community experiencing violence or living in poverty as the needs emerge. #HelpKeepHerSafe recognizes the meaning of 'safe' and 'help' are not the same for all women, each woman has different needs to keep themselves and their families safe. This funding allows us to do just that. In 2020 with the funds raised we were able to:
Hire a 4th counsellor
Provide 20 Chromebooks to women who did not have access to their own device to participate in services
Provide $1970.00 in emergency food support
Provide $15,000.00 to 150 women and children through our Winter Warmth program
Continue providing all group programs and counselling services online and /or by phone
Provide $2500.00 in the form of $50 gift cards to clients for International Women's Day
Create a new online resource hub for women, service providers and community member to easily find the social supports they need. Visit www.wcyr.ca/get-help and scroll down to community resources!
We would like to thank all who were able to contribute to our #HelpKeepHerSafe 2020 Campaign! As you can see, your donation made a difference! THANK YOU for becoming a WCYR Hero and don’t forget to check out our hero wall!
The Women's Centre of York Region united #strongertogether with our community agencies, confronted significant issues like poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, hunger, racism and social isolation every day due to the impacts of COVID19. Stay-at-home orders, the closure of non-essential businesses, lockdown restrictions, and the displacement that followed not only placed a disproportionate burden on the most vulnerable but also created a whole new group of vulnerable people overnight. #HelpKeepHerSafe provided emergency relief to support our existing clients where they are, and provide support for the new ones. The Women's Centre of York Region is not the same as it was one year ago, we have grown, adapted, and are ready for the new normal. Make no mistake the WCYR mission to #HelpKeepHerSafe for many has only just begun.
This year as vaccines roll-out and the world begins to reopen a new need will emerge. Women will be fleeing their homes after being locked up with their abuser for so long or looking for employment as many women left careers to care for their families. Women are rebuilding their lives in this new world and new chapter of their lives. You can help women rebuild. You too, can #HelpKeepHerSafe.
We hope you can donate today and spread the word.
Stay tuned for new ways you can get involved this year!
Donate now through CanadaHelps and receive an automatic tax receipt instantly!
Trouble with the link, copy and paste the CanadaHelps link here
