Book sale helps women, girls rebuild their lives

Funds raised will support individuals fleeing sexual exploitation, trafficking

A Calgary-based organization that helps women and girls flee sexual exploitation and trafficking is hosting its 20th annual book sale. Funds raised will support survivors rebuilding their lives.

RESET supports women and girls aged 16 and over, and often children are part of the equation, said Theresa Jenkins, executive director of RESET Society of Calgary.

The goal of the book sale this year is to raise $150,000 that will go toward programs and services, counselling and group classes.

“We get about 100,000 books donated, and we generally make $120,000 to $150,000 in the last few years for the book sale,” Jenkins said. “We take any gently used books; we do not take encyclopedias or textbooks, and we don't take magazines.”

Approximately 75 to 80 women, girls and children seek refuge in the safe house in any given year.

“They stay in that safe house for 30 days and they get their immediate needs looked after — food, shelter, clothing, medical care, health — a lot of them have nothing.”

From there, a second stage in housing introduces clients to a one-year life-skills program, while simultaneously working on healing from trauma stemming from violence and being trafficked.

A 36-year-old graduate from the RESET program who shared her story with Postmedia called the experience “life-changing.”

“Being homeless as a 16-yearold, I think I was a target for predators,” she said.

She was first introduced to the organization at 20 years old and then attempted to live a “good life” on her own.

“Of course, without the right supports and stuff, it's just not possible. So then I was bouncing around from city to city, trying to find some stability.”

The young woman returned to the program after she became pregnant, and said having a child became the catalyst for change.

“I want the best possible life for my child,” she said. “I knew I needed help with life skills, my mental health, everything basically.”

“Everybody through RESET pushed me to be a better person and encouraged me, was non-judgmental — without the support, I definitely wouldn't have been able to do it on my own.”

Book donation drop-offs begin April 12 until April 21 at Crossroads Market (1235 26th Ave S.E.) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Stuff-a-trailer Day is April 13 at 1566 Northmount Dr. N.W. from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The book sale is slated for May 2 to 5 and May 10 to 12 at Crossroads Market. There is a $2 entry fee.