Support and help is available in the community for those experiencing violence.
That’s the message from Dryden’s Hoshizaki House and women shelters from across the region during November’s Woman Abuse Prevention Month.
While some events have gone virtual, Executive Director Stacey Lambe says they are still bringing awareness to the issue.
“It is a bigger issue than what most see or hear and that we really want people to know out there, that there are supports in place for those women. The more that we support these issues, the more help we are able to get to hopefully one day end violence against women.”
Lambe talks about ‘Wear Purple Day’ next week, part of the 8th annual ‘Wrapped in Courage’ campaign.
“On November 25th, we’re asking for people to wear purple scarfs or just lay purple at their agencies or around their homes to show support for survivours of gender-based violence.”
You can also share your support on social media, by posting a photo with the hashtag #WrappedInCourage.
Event Committee member Mellissa Hall says they’ve also partnered with local businesses, including Dryden’s Kano Reid.
“Next week from November 23rd-Novemeber 28th, for every ten dollar or more donation that they received for Hoshizaki House, they will give you a complimentary medium drink.”
There are also purple ribbon cookies for sale at the Flower Forest, with a portion of each cookie sale will go to Hoshizaki House.
Cookie kits will also be available for purchase at Hoshizaki House starting next week.
Dryden’s Hoshizaki House sporting purple on their Facebook page.
Hall says the community support has been outstanding.
“Businesses downtown have decorated their storefronts in purple. Last week we had a wear purple day on Friday for the ‘Shine the Light’ campaign. So people submitted pictures of them wearing purple masks, that we provided to their agencies. They posted pictures on our Facebook page and we had over 60 participants.”
Hall adds it’s their agency’s hope issue of violence against women remains top of mind all throughout the year.
To make a text donation of 5-25 dollars, you can text COURAGE to 41010.
Every donation will be distributed equally across participating Ontario violence against women shelters.
For more information on the ‘Wrapped In Courage’ campaign click here.
For more information on Hoshizaki House and their services click here.
