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Purple Scarves and Supporting Your Local Women's Shelter

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 4:08 PM

Be part of the Wrapped in Courage Campaign by wearing a purple scarf this month.

November is Woman Abuse Awareness Month.  One of the amazing ways you can show your support for women and children living with violence is to take part in the "Wrapped in Courage" campaign, which asks you wear a purple scarf as a symbol of solidarity with abused women and children.  I'm going to ask you to do one more thing.

Please think about lending your support to your local women's shelter. Over the past 10 years I have worked closely with many shelters across Ontario and here's what I would like you to know: every shelter I have come to know has lived and breathed the plight of women and children living with abuse.  The Executive Directors, Managers, Front Line Workers, Counsellors, Advocates, Administrators, Support Staff, and Fundraisers that work in women's shelters are a 24-7, 365 day-a-year lifeline to women and children in crisis.  The work that happens in shelters saves and changes lives, usually with scarce resources, tight funding, and limited capacity.  But none of those barriers limits the work or indomitable commitment of shelter workers to provide safe haven and a way forward for abused women and children.  Similarly, I can tell you that the women that access shelter services are the very embodiment of courage and strength.  But as the "Wrapped in Courage" campaign reminds us: the courage of a woman alone is not enough.  Shelters need your donations, support, volunteer time, and advocacy.

So, yes, wear a purple scarf this month and let people know that you stand with all women and children living with abuse.  And then please lend your skills, time, and/or dollars to your local women's shelter.

Peace,
Corrie
One Spark Executive Director