Women helping women
Blooming House is the most recent recipient of donation from 100 Women Who Care, P.E.I. chapter
The statistics presented by
Liz Corney and Brynn Devine to the members at a recent meeting of the 100 Women Who Care, P.E.I. chapter about how many homeless women Blooming House has helped in its first year of operation were nothing short of jaw-dropping.
The organization provided a bed to a homeless woman 1,541 times: 75 women aged 18 to 72 years, from a single night to 159 nights per guest.
This presentation on behalf of Blooming House Women’s Shelter won the majority vote at the group's recent evening meeting. The two other charities that presented during the meeting were the Stars For Life Foundation, which assists young people with autism to transition into the community after they leave the school system, and the Children’s Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill children.
“The Blooming House team was completely blown away by the generosity and support from the 100 Women Who Care,” said a representative who spoke at the meeting.
“One thing we love about the work that we do is the constant privilege of being women supporting women.
“We absolutely felt that in the room and couldn't be happier. This donation will help us in such a major way, and we are so thankful.”
Blooming House started as a passion project by Liz Corney in early 2018 and opened its doors in January 2019 with eight beds. Most Islanders have no idea how bad
“One thing we love about the work that we do is the constant privilege of being women supporting women. We absolutely felt that in the room and couldn’t be happier. This donation will help us in such a major way, and we are so thankful.”
life can be and that there are people who do not have anywhere to go home at night.
It was the stories of homeless women, one sleeping in a culvert, another in a tent and yet another in a graveyard, that motivated Corney and her co-founder, Brynn Devine, to take Blooming House from an idea to reality. They found a location, rallied community support, fundraised and hired staff, all in their spare time.
Blooming House is not just a place to sleep. Transportation is provided. There is a fully stocked kitchen for guests to use. Ongoing counselling and support are also available.
Staff members of Blooming House have helped transition over 10 long-term guests to their own stable housing and others to long-term detox facilities.
Find out more at www. bloominghouse.ca.
The $21,600 in donations from 100 Women Who Care P.E.I. Chapter will cover the rent for an entire year for Blooming House.
This will free up financial resources for all the other services so badly needed.