HATE, GENDER-BASED & FAMILY VIOLENCE

The following are examples of impact of your donations from funded organizations and their programs.

• Deafblind Ontario – 14 individuals accessed intervenor services through DeafBlind Ontario in the last 3 months of 2022.
• Women’s Crisis Services Waterloo Region – 145 shelter residents in the past 6 months.
• The Healing of the 7 Generations – The team has successfully assisted Family and Children Services with creating dialogue with other stakeholders regarding Bill C-92 and creating intervention plans to prevent the removal of First Nations Metis & Indigenous children from their homes.
• Women’s Crisis Services Waterloo Region – 966 Support line calls to Women’s Crisis Services from individuals experiencing intimate partner or family violence.
• YWCA – 1200 young people accessed programming in the last 6 months. The YWCA of Cambridge aims to create a safer community by advocating for those experiencing gender-based violence and the needs of cis and trans women and girls, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit people.

• “Without this funding we would not have the necessary funds to maintain all emergency shelter beds or expand and grow our programming which is needed during a time when women and children are coming to us with more complex needs than ever before. The needs of women accessing our services has only grown due to the pandemic, so lack of funding would not allow us to grow, or add and adapt our programming for their needs. We have also recently purchased and opened our new transitional housing building, however the expenses to get it up and running for women and children has been more than anticipated.” – Women’s Crisis Services Waterloo Region
• “The W allows us the visibility and reach within the community to support program participants with identified barriers, advocate for needs and create a safer community by creating awareness regarding gender-based violence and the needs of cis and trans women and girls, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit people…[United Way] funding directly supports our community program space.” – YWCA

After arriving in Canada for one month, Sara and her two children were connected to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region due to intimate partner violence. They fled to Kitchener following verbal abuse and threats of finding and killing her with a knife if she left the marriage. They stayed for 7 months in Haven House before accessing the Transitional Housing Program at Aspen Place. 

Since moving into their own unit through the transitional housing program, Sara has been successful at maintaining her full-time studies at Conestoga College, obtaining her G1 license, settling into a new community and being a single parent without ongoing staff supports. With time and safety, Sara has become re-empowered and is a great self-advocate. She has been accessing community programs such as food banks, community centres, and physical activity programs. Sara has also been a successful recipient of post-secondary bursary program through Women’s Crisis Services – Moving Forward Scholarship. Through insightful applications, Sara has been awarded $1000.00 to assist with her studies.  

When asked about her experience, Sara said that at first, “I was feeling afraid because it’s the first time being alone. I used to make Emily help me with everything, now I am feeling good and make decisions alone. Before I didn’t do anything myself. I was dependent on others now I’m independent.  

My children are very happy with the move to our own apartment. I enjoy having my friends come over, I can study in my own place. I have changed everything in my life since leaving the shelter. Since studying English, I have become very social and making connections. I am comfortable now around others and have confidence. Before, I didn’t talk to anyone or make friends. I am not feeling quite ready to move out on my own but I am working towards this. There are still things I want to learn.”