Walk aims to combat violence against women
The fourth annual Walk Against Violence for Everyone (WAVE) earned slightly less than the targeted amount its organizers hoped to raise, but the event is still being deemed a success.
For one of three major fundraisers for Women’s Place of South Niagara, 70 people gathered at Seaway Mall on Saturday and walked five kilometres in support of the cause, raising awareness of violence against women and generating funds to support its domestic violence shelters, Serenity Place in Welland and Nova House in Niagara Falls.
The event brought in $20,000, slightly less than $25,000 hoped for.
“We’re a little short of that goal, but it’s exciting because it keeps building every year,” said Jennifer De Angelis, acting executive director of Women’s Place.
Money raised helps to pay staff and bills, and provide a support line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Last year, Women’s Place received 2,558 crisis calls and put a roof over the heads of 193 women and 117 children.
“It’s really busy. We’re consistently over-capacity,” De Angelis said.
Currently, there are 27 beds at Nova House and 13 at Serenity Place.
In Canada, one woman is killed every other day in an act of gender-based violence.
The walk also strives to assistance to survivors of violence and their children, including safe shelter, counselling, legal support, housing support and other vital services.
“We don’t receive full funding from the government so we have to fundraise a lot to keep our doors open,” De Angelis said.
For additional information about this event or Women’s Place, contact Amanda Braet at 905-356-3933 ext. 240 or amanda@wpsn.ca, or visit womensplacesn.org.