Sometimes, along with the inspiring endeavours that come my way, come the disturbing facts that remind me of why such endeavours must exist in the first place. To be honest, I make a conscious effort to focus on the helpers and the creativity behind what they are doing, in order to keep my spirits up. But there are some things that stay with me. And this morning, I am moved by these facts.
It’s still dark right now as I type this, just before the sun rises on another Monday. And I’m thinking about the 3300 Canadian women and their 3000 children who slept in emergency shelters last night as they fled domestic violence. I’m wondering what the other 200 did to stay warm and dry and safe after they were turned away from shelters filled to capacity? And my heart goes out to the ones who stayed in the same home as their abuser; I’m silently wishing them well and hoping today is…better.
But with stats like:
[Tweet “Spousal homicides have hit a 5-year high in #BC – #KnowhereToGo #ChimoBC”]
[Tweet “1/2 of all Canadian women over 16 have experienced at least one incident of physical/sexual violence – #KnowhereToGo #ChimoBC”]
[Tweet “Canadian shelters turn away 200 women fleeing domestic violence each night – #KnowhereToGo #ChimoBC”]
I know there is much more needed than my thoughts.
Chimo Community Services is doing something that has never been done in our province’s history: they are preparing to raise $100,000 to build second-stage housing for women fleeing domestic violence.
Chimo is a non-profit organization that serves people in the midst of crisis and transition. They focus on empowering individuals and strengthening families through education, and by connecting them with appropriate resources. Please read more about them on their website – if you are interested in volunteering, you can join the 200 amazing volunteers who are affecting social change.
To be a part of the social media #KnowhereToGo movement, in addition to tweeting out the above facts, you can:
1. Take a picture of yourself like this one below, and post to all your social media outlets:
2. You can join the Thunderclap movement
Sign up in advance to support this message by Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr. Then, on International Women’s Day which is Sunday Mar 8, there will be a mass sharing of all the messages. This will help our voices be heard. It’s quick and simple, and you can take a minute to do it right now! Please get your support in by Saturday Mar 7!
3. Contribute financially
To donate to the goal of $100,000 to build second-stage housing, please visit the KnowhereToGo website. It sounds like a daunting goal, but goals like these are always achieved by many people doing what they can.
Now the sun has fully risen, and a new day has begun. I truly wish it to be a new day. For everyone.
