Shelter gives woman hope ― and her laugh back
Help give the gift of hope.
Donations to the LeaderPost Christmas Cheer Fund help change ― and save ― lives.
Women fleeing abusive relationships ― either with or without their children ― don’t tend to have a lot to smile about. There is so much sadness in their lives.
As a shelter outreach worker in Regina, Denise has the opportunity to stay connected with women after they leave the crisis shelter.
She recalled one woman, who arrived at the YWCA Regina’s Isabel Johnson Shelter with her two children.
“The sadness felt by this woman and her children was especially deep,” Denise said. “Rarely did I witness a smile.”
Then an amazing thing happened!
Denise received an email from the woman a few weeks ago. It said:
“I am writing to tell you something that happened to me yesterday. I was with another woman who was talking and what she said was so funny. All of a sudden, I could hear this sound! It was deep and came so easily. I wondered for a moment, ‘Who is making this noise?’ Then it came to me; it was ME. I was laughing. Not a forced laugh but a reallllll laugh was coming out of me. Can you believe I can laugh again? I know we spoke about joy returning and to let time heal but I honestly did not think I could or would ever laugh again but here I am … laughing!!!”
Denise considered this a success story.
“Sometimes, it seems an impossibility for women and children entering our shelter to believe there can be any joy left in life,” she said. “What a beautiful gift she gave me with her email.”
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The charities chosen to receive money from this year’s Christmas Cheer Fund are four Regina shelters that provide safety and support for women and children in domestic abuse situations: SOFIA House, Regina Transition House, the YWCA Regina’s Isabel Johnson Shelter and WISH Safe House
Donations of $10 or more are tax-deductible, with receipts issued in the name of The Leader-Post Foundation.
The Leader-Post and the foundation cover all administrative costs associated with the fund, which means every cent of your donation will be split between these organizations.
There are several ways to donate: ■ Online by going to Leaderpost.com/cheerfund. ■ By dropping off a donation at the Classified counter in the front office of the LeaderPost, 1964 Park St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ■ By mailing a cheque or money order to The LeaderPost Christmas Cheer Fund, Box 1130, Regina, Sask., S4P 3B4. Please make cheques payable to Leader-Post Foundation-Christmas Cheer. An official donation receipt from the foundation will be mailed to you by the end of the campaign.
■ By phoning 306-781-5381 or 306781-5486.
By making a donation using a credit card. An ongoing ad in the Leader-Post provides details.
If there is a special story behind your donation, feel free to tell us about it.