The Standing Together campaign aims to make life better for women and children looking to make a brand-new start after abusive relationships.
The Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie held an intimate affair last night at the Ferndale Banquet Hall to announce the September launch of the Standing Together campaign which looks to raise $350,000 for the organization.
Money raised will go to making the transition for those fleeing abuse easier and put all their needs in one building. Kelly Letourneau is the development manager for the shelter and says that right now they are losing the battle on helping victims of abuse because of the current set-up.
“Our current situation is that we have two buildings, one with all the outreach services needed for help and the other with the shelter and beds,” said Letourneau. “We are losing those who need us because of the lack of easy accessibility; if they can’t get to the offsite building they choose to keep moving on. To combine the two buildings, we create an even bigger circle of trust and services and serve and ever-increasing number of women who need out help.”
With all the awareness nowadays, one would think that people were getting the message of abuse being criminal and unacceptable, but Letourneau says that unfortunately is just not the case.
“In 2018, it's tragic that we are still having these issues,” said Letourneau. “The fact is numbers are rising and there are so many factors in that. We are seeing a large number of women of immigration and new Canadians that are fleeing their abusive relationships but getting here and not having the proper documentation because of it being withheld or just left behind as they run. That takes those women from a four to six weeks process to a four to six months court process and that causes a huge amount of stress for them. There is also a massive affordable home shortage in the city and that is also a reason our numbers rise as we can’t help those who are here to find proper accommodations.”
Last night’s event had many local dignitaries and speakers, two of which shared their experiences with needing help. Letourneau said that so far they have raised $109,000 and will continue to seek funds over the summer before the big push in September.
“We will for sure be having fundraisers and asking those in the community who want to help to do so by donation or even creating some events that will help raise the funds needed to make life better for some women and children who need it,” said Letourneau.
Funds raised will go towards major renovations to transform the current storage area to an office space that includes a brand-new ventilation system, four offices to be used for confidential and private meetings with counselors and a large boardroom with a kitchenette that will host group sessions and activities. The shelter will be asking businesses, organizations and the public to help them reach their target in hopes to finish the project by June 2019, when their current contract is up.
Anyone looking to donate or seeking the services that the Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie provide, head to their website
