Eighty-two members of the 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring group gathered via Zoom on a rainy November 17th to hear compelling five-minute presentations from three worthy Island causes. An anonymous vote was cast in real time, revealing the charity of choice who will receive a $18,500 pooled collection is IWAV, or Islanders Working Against Violence.
“Our staff are thrilled for this amazing contribution from women in our community to extend our outreach services and support for our second stage residents,” explains IWAV’s Executive Director Kisea Petersen. “These women have left intimate partner violence or other gender-based violence and look to IWAV to help them regain confidence, resiliency, and a healthier future for them and their children.”
For almost 30 years IWAV has been providing safety and services for women experiencing violence, abuse, and poverty. With 28 staff and several volunteers, it operates multiple programs and facilities including a 24-hour crisis line and emergency response resources, the Transition House which provides immediate food, accommodation, transportation, childcare, and a clothing and supply allowance to the Transitions Thrift Store, as well as access to caring, calm, and experienced people for advice, counselling, legal aid, and more. The newest initiative launched this past summer is the Sexual Assault Response Program for survivors of sexual assault of all genders aged 13 and older.
In her presentation, Petersen cited COVID as a contributing factor to isolation and the complexity of making a move. She pointed out that housing is often a significant barrier for women leaving their abusive partners, and the housing crisis has a proportionately higher impact on women with few financial resources. To continue to support women in finding housing, IWAV has become the owner of affordable housing, where women in need can be prioritized. She cites this as key in creating stability for the women and their children.
The 100 Women Who Care initiative was launched in 2006 as a simple, efficient, and effective collective fundraising model for charities. One hundred women each contribute $100 and vote for one of three nominated charities three times a year. There are now over 400 chapters active across North America.
The Salt Spring branch was founded in November 2018 to bring this high-impact philanthropy to the Island, and in three years, it has raised over $158,000 for nine causes ranging from senior and eldercare services to pathways and the public library to the SPCA. Currently, the local branch has a membership of 188 women and has already received nine new nominations hoping to be selected in future rounds. Any member of 100+ Women Who Care can nominate a CRA-registered charity that has a local impact.
Having gone through the process, Petersen shares “As someone who has worked in the non-profit sector for so many years, it’s truly incredible to experience such a significant fundraiser can be conducted in less than an hour!” The two other charities who presented were Salt Spring Arts Council and School District #64 Education Trust Fund.
(Photo: 100+ Women Who Care)
(Photo: 100+ Women Who Care)
(Photo: 100+ Women Who Care)
