Take Back the Night 2011

 On Saturday September 24th, staff, volunteers, and women from Nellie’s will be participating in Take Back the Night at the Anne Johnson Health Station in association with the Toronto Women’s Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape.  Held yearly in many international locations since 1978, Take Back the Night events are an important way to draw attention to the devastating nature of violent crimes against women and to celebrate the  enormous strength of  survivors.

 According to Statistics Canada, 427,000 women over the age of 15 reported that they had been sexually assaulted in 2004 alone.  This threat to women’s bodies and minds puts real limits on what they can do – even walking the streets in their own neighbourhoods at night.

2011  marks the 31st anniversary of Take Back the Night.  This year’s theme is “The Liberation WE Choose“, which hopes to highlight the continuing struggles for justice faced by survivors of violence. 

(Nellie’s at Take Back the Night 2010).

Please join us at the Anne Johnston Health Station (2398 Yonge St. at Eglinton) to participate in a community fair at 4-6pm (everyone welcome), a rally from 6-8pm (everyone welcome), and a march from 8-9:30pm (for women, trans people, and children only). 

For more information you can call: 416.597.1171 ext 230

Thank you to our Summer Student Employees

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”    -Confucius-

( from left to right Emily McDonald, Maria Sicutad , Awo Abokor, and Erin Callaghan).

Our student employees worked unbelievably hard this summer to support the women and children in our care.  We are so grateful for the talent, skills, ambition, and passion that they brought to Nellie’s.  A world without violence is possible, and these young women are working to make it a reality.

Emily worked on our Community Support & Outreach Team with women who were seeking assistance in the areas of immigration, legal issues, child welfare, and housing.  We are proud that Emily will be continuing her work with Nellie’s as a Relief Staff.

Maria worked with our Development Team to assist with fundraising, administration, and event planning.  Maria played a very important role in planning our Online Holiday Auction and will continue on as a volunteer at Nellie’s.

Awo worked with the children at Nellie’s in our Children’s Summer Camp.  Awo planned activties, games, and arts & crafts for the children, as well as fun summer outings around the city.  To read more about Awo’s experience, click here.

Erin worked with our Transitional Housing & Support Team to assist women to access safe and affordable housing.  Erin supported women throughout the intake and application process for subsidized housing and connected them to resources around the city that they can access when they are living on their own.

On behalf of all the women, children, and staff at Nellie’s, we would like to thank Emily, Maria, Awo and Erin for making this summer at Nellie’s a great one for everyone.   Thank you as well to  Human Resources & Skills Development Canada for providing the funding for our Summer Student Employee Program.

Team Nellie’s Update!

This week we’re happy to share many exciting updates about our participation in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge!

Nellie’s now has teams from Brooks Brothers Toronto and Apex Public Relations running/walking for us!  8 employees from these two companies have joined forces to fundraise for the women and children at Nellie’s and we couldn’t be more pleased to have their support.

Our team members have fundraised a total of $2710 and we are now over halfway towards our fundraising goal of $5000.  You can follow our progress or make a donation to our team here.  100% of funds raised will go towards our Holiday celebrations, activities, and programs at Nellie’s this winter.

There’s also still time to JOIN OUR TEAM, but act fast because space is filling up quickly.  The 5km race is 50% sold out and the full and half marathons are both over 70% sold out.  Remember, if you committ to a fundraising goal of $250 or more, we’ll waive your registration fee.  Please contact Jenna Pettinato at 416-461-0769 or jenna.pettinato@nellies.org to register.

Since 1973, we have had the honour of rebuilding the lives of over 15,000 women and children. On Sunday October 16th, we invite  you to come out and show your strength, share your courage, prove your determination, and inspire hope in the belief that every woman and child has the right to live a life that is free from violence and oppression. 

Join us at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to celebrate our champions, the women and children of Nellie’s!

In memory of Jack Layton

The Hon. Dr. John (Jack) Layton
(1950-2011)

 Today, Canada lost one of its proudest sons. Jack Layton died peacefully at home with his family by his side. In his passing, Nellie’s grieves the loss of our beloved representative in Federal Parliament and one of our most ardent supporters and friend. 

It was less than a year ago, that we met with Jack at his office to discuss Nellie’s plans for a new shelter. He graciously provided us sage counsel as well as his support.

From the beginning of his career,  Jack championed the rights of those most marginalized in our communities, including women and their children fleeing violence, poverty and homelessness.

 After 14 women were killed at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal by an anti-feminist on December 6th, 1989,  Jack became an instrumental leader of the White Ribbon Campaign  –  a campaign to mobilize men to end violence against women.

 Jack’s book, Homelessness: The Making and Unmaking of a Crisis outlined his views on the impact of poverty and homelessness. In 2008, he stood in parliament and spoke eloquently on the issues of women and poverty.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH4JTv87MEs

Our thoughts are with Jack’s wife Olivia, and his children, Sarah and Michael during this difficult time. Jack will be missed.

Margarita Mendez, Executive Director                                                                       

Aug 22, 2011

Shelter from the Storm Campaign supports shelters across the country

This spring, Canadians across the country came together in support of the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s Shelter from the Storm  campaign.  Funds were raised from radio-thons, BootCamp events in partnership with Goodlife Fitness, the sale of merchandise and decals at Winners and HomeSense, and individual donations made on-line at http://shelterfromthestorm.ca.  In total $1.7 million was raised, and more than 400 shelters received a portion of this money, including Nellie’s. 

 

We are proud to report that the$5469 we received will go directly towards our programs and services for women and children.  We would like to thank The Canadian Women’s Foundation, Winners and Homesense as well all the individuals who generously donated to help support shelters for abused women across the country.  This contribution will make a great difference to all the women and children at Nellie’s who are beginning new lives, free from violence and abuse.