We may be halfway through December, but here at the Women‘s Centre, the holiday rush is just beginning.
In the first week of running the Toy Room, we saw over 509 women and 1074 children. The program is a volunteer-run, donor-supported project that brings hundreds of women to the Women‘s Centre every year. Compared to last year, we have seen a 35% increase in the number of women and children in need of Christmas gifts in just the first week. It is a heartbreaking increase in the number of women who need to ask for help during the holidays and another sign of the growing challenges of poverty in our city.
Many of these women make the most of their trip by also accessing the Basic Needs program for personal care items, emergency food hampers and referrals for winter clothing. The numbers are jumping up across the board.
Thanks to the new space, this December women can attend more weekly food days, legal clinics, workshops and other opportunities to build community connections. There is room for moms to sit and children to play.
We are also working hard to address the systemic issues that face women in Calgary and across the country. The Social Issues Committee volunteers are tackling issues of affordable transit, accessible childcare, and women’s representation in leadership positions.
Every program is supported by donors like you.
- $25 provides 20 women with hot beverages, fresh fruit and snacks when they visit the Centre
- $50 gives 25 women sanitary pads for a month
- $100 supports 5 women learning new skills and connect with other women in workshops such as yoga, self-defense, computer skills, activism, or healthy eating
- $350 sends one girl to Girl Power Camp with bus tickets, lunches and supplies for an entire week
Please donate online today to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of women in your community. To donate by cheque, please address the cheque to the Women’s Centre of Calgary. All donations over $10 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
Thank you for your generosity.