NEWS RELEASE
GREEN HAVEN SHELTER FOR WOMEN
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For charities and shelters across Canada, the months of November and December are more than a time of celebration — they’re a financial lifeline. These two months account for nearly half of the annual donations many organizations depend on to support their vital programs.
But this year, the ongoing Canada Post strike was a huge blow to that lifeline, leaving shelters like Green Haven Shelter for Women, Orillia’s only short term emergency shelter for women escaping gender-based violence, struggling to bridge the gap during their most critical fundraising period.
“We have experienced a 56 per cent decrease in donations compared to the same time last year,” says Linda Reid, Executive Director at Green Haven. “A large portion of our fundraising comes from community mailouts and mail-in donations, both of which have been severely disrupted by this postal delay. This loss of funds affects our ability to provide safe shelter, counselling, and resources to women and children.”
A Critical Time for Women and Children in Crisis
For shelters like Green Haven, the holiday season is a time of heightened need. While the season may be joyful for many, it’s also a period when incidents of domestic violence tend to escalate. Stress, financial pressures, and family tensions contribute to a sharp rise in calls to domestic violence crisis lines, which increase by as much as 20-30% during the holidays, according to Statistics Canada.
Shelters provide a vital safety net, offering emergency shelter, counselling, and resources to women and children in crisis. But without adequate funding, their ability to deliver these lifesaving services is jeopardized.
Mail Disruptions: A Blow to Fundraising
Direct mail campaigns are a cornerstone of fundraising for many charities. Mailed appeals not only encourage donations by cheque from older members of the population that have more available funds to give, but also drive online giving by serving as critical reminders. When mail delivery slows or halts, it creates a ripple effect: fewer physical donations and suppressed digital contributions.
For Green Haven, this means fewer resources to support women and children seeking safety and hope. Donations fund essential services such as:
- Emergency shelter and meals
- Crisis counselling for women and children
- Safety planning and transitional support
“The impact goes beyond dollars,” says Reid. “It’s about the lives that hang in the balance when we don’t have the means to offer the support they need.”
Give Hope This Holiday Season
Your generosity, no matter the size, can transform lives. By donating today, you can help ensure that women and children escaping violence have access to the safe shelter, counselling, and resources they need to rebuild their lives.
This holiday season, let’s come together as a community to bring light and hope to those who need it most. Because everyone deserves to feel safe, especially during the holidays.
How You Can Help
Despite the challenges, there is still time to make a difference. Green Haven is urging the community to come together to bridge the critical funding gap caused by the postal disruption.
Make an Online Donation: Online contributions are quick, secure, and impactful. Visit https://greenhavenshelter.kindful.com/ to support Green Haven today.
Spread the Word: Share this article or talk to your friends and family about the importance of supporting local charities during this challenging time.
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