The Women's Centre of York Region (WCYR) is kicking off its annual #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign to coincide with the Canada Helps Great Canadian Giving Challenge which runs June 1 to 30.
For every dollar donated throughout the month, the Newmarket-based centre has the chance to win $20,000 in funding to help women in the region.
The #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign began in 2020 as a result of the increase in intimate partner violence during the pandemic.
The needs of women changed during the course of the pandemic and while some struggled with food insecurity, others struggled with a lack of technological access, according to Allison Hermann, program and fund development manager for WCYR.
Money raised from the yearly campaign enabled the agency to create a Chromebook loan program and provide $2,000 in emergency food support. It has also been able to use more than $35,000 for its Winter Warmth program, which provides financial assistance and seasonal items to at-risk women and children.
Lastly, funding helped create an online resource hub so women could research services available to them.
Funds raised from this year's campaign will go toward a Women in Business program. A lot of women entrepreneurs were hit especially hard during the pandemic, said Hermann, and many are unable to re-enter the workforce due to child care or being a primary caregiver. This program will help those women by providing "a local ecosystem for female entrepreneurs," said Hermann.
To support the #HelpKeepHerSafe Campaign, visit Canada Helps to make a donation.
The charity was founded in 1977 to assist women in York Region through programming and services that are offered free of charge.
