#HelpKeepHerSafe 2022 has begun!

WCYR is kicking off the 2022 #HelpKeepHerSafe Campaign just in time for the Great Canadian Giving Challenge! From June 1-June 30, every dollar donated online enters WCYR into a draw to win $20,000! Will you help us kick off #HelpKeepHerSafe 2022 and win $20,000?

The #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign began as domestic violence skyrocketed 30% during the pandemic and women's participation in the labour market fell to the lowest numbers since 1999. The funds raised allowed us to meet women's individual needs as they emerged, continue all core programming, and even increase our support!

In 2021, the campaign helped us to:

  • Provide $5,152 in grocery gift cards.

  • Develop a loan laptop program with 30 Chromebooks, ensuring women always have accessible technology in our programs.

  • Launch a new community resource hub with updated digital referral pathways.

  • Launch a member portal that provides women and service providers with short how-to demos of commonly used online services.

  • Provide $24,064 in gift cards, winter clothing and toys to 166 women and children in our Winter Warmth Program.

In 2022, WCYR's focus is helping women rebuild safely. 

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted women's economic, social and personal well-being with long-lasting effects. Stay-at-home orders, the closure of non-essential businesses, lockdown restrictions, and the conditions that followed, created an excessive burden on women and widened pre-existing inequalities. Unpaid household work and caregiving responsibilities that predominately fall on women increased significantly. Women were suddenly faced with less support and increased responsibilities in child care, cleaning and meal preparation, forcing many to leave their employment to maintain the added responsibilities. 

The pandemic has impacted women's mental health, ability to work from home or seek new employment and even affected their safety, all with long-lasting impacts. As the world begins to reopen and a sense of normalcy returns, an influx of women who after being stuck for so long, are seeking to regain their economic and social security. In the last three months alone, we received a 46% increase in service calls and 127% increase of referrals to shelters and community services.

In 2022, WCYR's focus is helping women rebuild safely. Our programs are the wrap-around support they need to push towards a sustainable livelihood. With your support, we can help.

We hope you’ll consider making a donation today or even becoming a monthly donor! For as little as $15 a month, you can help a woman gain a sustainable livelihood.

 Button not working? Copy & paste this link into your preferred browser to donate now. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/60768

Allison Hermann