A secret place for women in trouble

SANTA FUND Gift boxes could bring a bit of cheer into lives of children whose mothers are trying to escape abusive relationships, writes Christian Cotroneo

he Women’s Multicultural

Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham provides one- on- one counselling for women and children who are making a bold — often dangerous — bid to escape violent family situations. “A lot of women are killed within the period they are trying to leave their abusive partners,” says Esther Enyolu, the agency’s executive director.

That’s why only those women who need help are told exactly where Enyolu works. The secrecy surrounding the agency’s location is vital.

In a textbook case, a man goes

Tshopping for a wife abroad, brings her back to Canada and subjects her to a domestic hell of terror and abuse.

“If he finds out people are helping that woman, he might want to hurt those people,” says Enyolu.

“ In most cases, we are telling that woman what to do — we are educating them in their rights.”

At the same time, it’s equally vital that Enyolu let women know that her agency is out there.

In addition to providing a litany of services, workshops and seminars, the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre frequently brings its message to schools — often moving the audience to tears.

Enyolu says some of the 200 women she sees each year “ are very isolated because they do not have any support network or they do not have any family members here.

“ In most cases, the only person they have is the abuser.”

Factor in a language barrier, the fact that many women have no legal status in Canada and that their new ‘ husbands’ already have another woman here — and they are essentially immigrating to hell.

That’s why, when it comes to Christmas, Enyolu may have the longest list this side of the North Pole. She identifies children of abused mothers who need help from the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. The century- old charity provides gifts to children under 12 from struggling families across much of Greater Toronto.

This year, the fund will deliver 45,000 boxes, each containing a hat, mittens, shirt, socks, book, small toy and candy. Boxes for babies include sleepers.

For many of the mothers who wash up at the agency, the economic lifeline their husbands offer may very well be the death of them — but, for the sake of the children, they’re often tempted to return to it. And those little boxes that come around Christmas time may seem like only a trickle of support — but they represent a torrent of hope.

This year, the Santa Claus Fund is aiming to raise $ 1.35 million for underprivileged children across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax and Pickering.

If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund, or have a story to tell, email ccotron@ thestar. ca or call 416- 814- 2751.