#FUNDRAISING: ERNESTINE’S WOMEN’S SHELTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH INITIATIVES

November marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, spark dialogue, and take action against all forms of gender-based violence. Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, a Toronto-based organization providing inclusive, trauma-informed shelter and community supports for survivors, is calling on everyone to join the movement to raise awareness and build safer communities for all.

Since 1983, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter has been a lifeline for individuals and families escaping abuse. Originally founded as a women’s shelter, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter has grown into an inclusive space that supports people of all gender identities affected by violence, offering safety, counselling, and empowerment programs designed to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us that safety is a right for every survivor. Every survivor, regardless of gender, background, or identity, deserves compassion, dignity, and access to support,” says Laverne Blake, Interim Executive Director of Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter.

Domestic and gender-based violence remain critical public health and social justice issues across the country.

According to Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, 44% of women and 60% of queer, trans and gender-diverse people have experienced gender-based violence. Statistics Canada’s Family Violence in Canada reports (2022–2024) show a continued rise in police-reported intimate partner violence and increased demand for shelter services. The 2023 Statistical Profile noted a 2% increase in 2022, with shelters reporting high occupancy and longer stays since the pandemic, underscoring the ongoing need for safe, accessible supports for survivors.

These challenges highlight the urgent need for organizations like Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, which provide inclusive, intersectional services that recognize and respond to the diverse experiences of survivors.

Flood Recovery Efforts at Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
This fall, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter faced an unexpected crisis of its own after a severe flood caused extensive water and mould damage throughout the facility. Several key program spaces, including the Child & Youth Program Room, Homework & Computer Lab, and counselling offices, were affected, resulting in temporary closures and a critical loss of services for residents.

“Every wall we open reveals more damage, and with it, a greater risk of losing the very spaces that help families heal,” says Laverne Blake, Interim Executive Director. “These programs aren’t extras — they are lifelines.”

The total cost of remediation and infrastructure repairs is estimated at $250,000, and Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to ensure essential spaces can reopen safely.

To contribute to the Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter Emergency Flood Relief Fund, please visit: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ernestines-womens-shelter/campaign/shelter-repairs

Every donation helps restore critical programs and ensures that survivors of gender-based violence continue to have a safe place to heal and rebuild.

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter’s Impact
Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter has helped more than 15,000 survivors rebuild their lives since 1983, providing safe shelter, wraparound care, and compassionate, judgment-free support. In the past year, the organization has delivered emergency shelter, counselling, legal advocacy, and housing support to individuals and families across Toronto, while engaging youth and community partners in prevention and education. Through its trauma-informed approach, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter continues to be a pillar of safety and empowerment for survivors of gender-based violence.

Get Involved
This November, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter invites the community to:
-Donate to support emergency programs and shelter repairs.
-Wear purple to show solidarity with survivors.
-Speak out — because awareness leads to action, and action saves lives.

To learn more or get involved, visit [www.ernestines.ca] or follow @ernestinesws on social media.