FAMILY SUPPORT
Campaign hopes to raise $1 million to support Family Violence Prevention Services
Campaign hopes to raise $1 million to support Family Violence Prevention Services
Danya O’Malley is banking on million-dollar endowment fund paving a peaceful path for many Islanders.
The executive director of the P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Services (FFPS), says the ambitious fundraising goal aims to sustain this community volunteer organization that is dedicated to eradicating physical, sexual and emotional violence in families.
The organization, which provides a place of safety for women and children who are victims of abuse, receives roughly $670,000 in annual provincial funding.
That leaves FVPS needing to raise an additional $160,000 or so each year to offset a budget shortfall.
Annual fundraising is demanding and time consuming, taking time and resources away from providing valuable programs and services.
O’Malley hopes an endowment fund fueled by a successful campaign called Building Brighter Futures will provide a secure source of funds moving forward.
“This is a donation that can keep giving on and on and on,’’ she explains.
“Conceivably we will never touch the nest egg (of $1 million). We will only be using the interest being generated from it.’’ The campaign, which was launched in the fall of 2016, has raised about $400,000 to date. O’Malley is hopeful and optimistic about securing a commitment of $1 million in donations by the end of this year.
“So it’s a way of ensuring that crisis services and support services and prevention services are in place long-term and in a very secure way,’’ she says. “That’s a smart way for somebody to direct their money if they want to support the organization.’’
Family Violence Prevention Services has well-established services and programs to help empower and support those affected by family violence.
Anderson House is perhaps the service most Islanders readily associate with FVPS.
Established in 1981, the facility provides emergency shelter on average each year to between 70 and 80 women along with 25 to 30 children.
In addition to shelter being provided on a short-term crisis basis up to three weeks, Anderson House services include 24/7 confidential crisis and support phone line, childcare services, follow-up support, referrals to outreach services and other agencies, drop-in support, advocacy, referrals to second stage housing and resource information.
“So I think that we make a big impact on the people that stay here for a short amount of time,’’ says O’Malley.
“The shelter is the first step on a healing journey,’’ she adds, “and it’s hard to notice any big picture changes after one step
but it’s often the scariest and most important step. We know that a woman is at greatest risk shortly after leaving a relationship.’’
FVPS also offers safe, secure and affordable accommodations for women and children as they transition to independent living.
Outreach programs are offered province-wide to reach those affected by family violence who may not use the services of the emergency shelter, but still need some safety planning, counseling, advocacy and referrals to resources.
Youth programming is also offered in various locations
across the province in junior and senior high schools.
SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) is a studentdriven program supported by FVPS designed to raise awareness about the issues of abuse, family violence and helpful services.