For more than 40 years, Gillian’s Place has provided safe refuge and community support programs to help women, non-binary people, and their children break the cycle of violence. They offer a wide spectrum of free and confidential services, including a 34-bed emergency shelter, a 24/7 phone or text support line, safety planning, second stage housing, legal advice and support, expert counselling, child and youth programs, transitional housing and support, and education and violence prevention programs.
The Impact of the Pandemic
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-based violence has increased to drastic and distressing proportions. For those in abusive homes, stay-at-home orders designed to keep families safe, also had the unintended consequences of putting survivors at a higher risk. Forced isolation also affected the ability for those in abusive homes to reach out for support.
Last year, 196 survivors sought emergency shelter from Gillian’s Place and more than 7,000 people took advantage of their community services. Additionally, more than 5,500 calls and texts were answers on Gillian’s Place’s 24/7 support line—representing a 41 percent increase compared to the year prior.Walk a Mile — YOUR Style
Each year, Gillian’s Place hosts what has historically been known as Walk a Mile in HER Shoes®, a symbolic march that gives men the opportunity to stand against gender-based violence. Last October, despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the first-ever virtual event, Walk a Mile—COVID Style, doubled its fundraising goal and raised over $105,000. As Gillian’s Place continues to respond to the challenges and demands from COVID-19, the need for this year’s Walk a Mile has never been more vital. Now dubbed Walk a Mile — YOUR Style, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 16th and encourages everyone in the community to dress up in hot pink and march to end gender-based violence.
As presenting sponsor of this year’s Walk a Mile event, the CAA Niagara team will be showing our support to Gillian’s Place by getting decked out in pink and marching one mile. On Friday, October 15th the entire CAA Niagara team will march outside our five Branches across Niagara and on Saturday, October 16th (the official event day), our leadership team and Board of Directors will walk together in Niagara-On-The-Lake.
Our team fundraising goal is $2,500. Please consider supporting our team and this important cause by making a donation at http://bit.ly/CAAWalkaMile.
You can also register to participate in Walk a Mile — YOUR Style with your friends, family, coworkers, and employees by going to http://walkamileinhershoes.ca. Ending gender-based violence in Niagara takes a community effort. Gillian's Place needs everyone to walk, not just men. Help them provide practical and compassionate support to survivors of gender-based violence by making a donation or registering to walk today.
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