In this Fall edition of our shelter newsletter, we bring you information about several new funding opportunities and ongoing campaigns and share an exciting announcement about an upcoming national Summit for the gender-based violence sector that you can apply for today!
We would also like your feedback on how we can improve this newsletter. Share your feedback through this 10-minute survey, thanks in advance!
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Update on Canada’s
National Action Plan
Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is working with its provincial and territorial member shelter associations on a collective advocacy strategy on Canada’s National Action Plan on gender-based violence. Through this process we want to ensure: support for the sustainability of the sector that centers the needs of the most vulnerable, consistency across and within jurisdictions in policies and legislation that address violence against women (VAW), and consistent approaches to the prevention of and response to VAW.
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Framework for recognizing the critical expertise of IPV specialists released
Krys Maki, WSC’s Director of Research and Policy, participated in a collaborative effort with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) specialists and survivors from all parts of Canada to develop a framework that recognizes and documents the core knowledge and skills of IPV service providers. To learn more about how this framework articulates the often un-recognized expertise of the sector, read the full report here or watch the webinar recording.
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LOVE YOU by
Shoppers Drug Mart
The LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug MartTM fall fundraising campaign, Giving Shelter, has returned for its third consecutive year partnering with WSC. Running until October 14, all funds generously donated by customers will go directly to local women’s shelters in their community. Check out this recent interview with WSC’s Lise Martin about the campaign! We encourage you to promote this campaign with your supporters if a local Shoppers Drug Mart store has partnered with your organization. Donations can also be made online here.
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COVID-19 Federal Funding Extension to September 30, 2023
A reminder to all VAW shelters and transition houses that received COVID-19 federal funds through Women’s Shelters Canada that you now have until September 30, 2023, to spend those funds! We’ll be in touch later this month with amended funding agreements. If you have any questions, please reach out to the WSC Grants Team at grants@endvaw.ca.
Open call for proposals to increase disability inclusion and accessibility
On September 7, Employment and Social Development Canada announced funding for organisations to make infrastructure improvements that will increase accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Organisations can receive up to $100,000 for activities such as the renovation, construction or retrofit of ramps, accessible doors, washrooms, and elevators. Indigenous organizations and GBV shelters are among the types of organization being prioritized for this call. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on November 1, 2022.
National Housing Co-Investment Contribution Only Funding
You can now apply to CMHC for top-up funding for the construction of new housing or the renovation and repair of existing affordable and community housing. This top-up is for organizations who have already secured funding but require more capital. Read more about this funding opportunity here.
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Events
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Apply Now: National Summit for the Gender-Based Violence Sector
Tuesday-Wednesday, March 28-29, 2023
We are very excited to announce that shelters and transition houses can now apply to participate in the Shockproofing Communities National Summit for the GBV Sector, happening this March 28-29, 2023, in Ottawa. The Summit is being organized by Women’s Shelters Canada and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, with funding from WAGE. The 2-day event is an opportunity for the GBV sector to catalyze lessons learned during the pandemic, come up with strategies to ‘shockproof’ the sector against future crises, and work toward our shared vision of a world without GBV. If you are interested in having someone from your shelter attend the Summit, you must complete this application form by October 21.
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Webinar: Understanding How Coercive Control Harms Children
Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 8:00 am EST
In this webinar from the Safe & Together Institute, Dr. Katz draws on her new book, Coercive Control in Children's and Mothers' Lives to explore how professionals can identify and explain the harms that coercively controlling fathers cause to their children. Please note that the webinar will be available for on-demand viewing through Safe & Together Institute's Virtual Academy for 60 days following the live broadcast.
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Mass Casualty Commission Hearings Come to Close
In September, the Mass Casualty Commission hearings came to a close, with a report expected in early 2023. WSC’s Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich appeared before the Commission at the end of August, along with other participants from the gender-based violence sector, including two local shelter directors from Nova Scotia. Check out Kaitlin’s blog, where she talks about her experience and the recommendations WSC made to the Commission.
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 Revolution Road
Read this exciting article published in Herizons magazine in which anti-violence advocates across Canada make a unified call for a ramped up, multifaceted, and holistic approach to gender-based violence (GBV) services as well as fundamental systemic changes to end GBV. |
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Resources We Like
National Emergency Support Fund for Survivors of IPV
The YWCA's new fund provides women, gender-diverse people and their families experiencing IPV and current residents of emergency shelters with immediate financial support. Read more about how this fund is aimed at helping survivors escape abusive situations and begin rebuilding their lives.
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What We've Enjoyed!
Unbelievable is a 2019 limited series on Netflix, but it never gets old. The series follows the story of a young woman accused of lying about rape while two female detectives investigate similar attacks. Created by Susannah Grant, with novelists Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, the series is inspired by true events. Hope you enjoy watching or re-watching this captivating story!
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