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Campaign helps victims of domestic violence

The Brandon Sun - 11/28/2019

Domestic violence has become an “epidemic,” and the YWCA’s Keeping Spirits Bright campaign helps give those fleeing abuse a place to feel safe.

“Sadly, domestic violence is alive and going strong in this country, still,” said Lissia Lalonde, YWCA Brandon’s administrative and fundraising assistant. “We need to make a change, because we’ve got not just women and children escaping, but we’ve got men with their children escaping domestic violence.”

The YWCA runs the Westman Women’s Shelter.

This year’s Keeping Spirits Bright campaign was launched on Tuesday for #GivingTuesday and will run until Jan. 5.

For every donation received, more purple lights will be added to the Y’s Christmas tree at 148 11th St.

Purple is the colour for domestic violence awareness. The tree was donated by The Green Spot.

In 2018, the shelter provided 3,461 bed nights and 101 hotel nights to a total of 503 men, women and children.

This year, from January to September alone, 459 men, women and children have been helped, and that will exceed last year’s numbers before the year is up, Lalonde said.

“We want to get it (domestic violence) down, of course, because that is such a horrible thing,” she said. “Unfortunately, it still is an epidemic in this country at this time.”

All the funds raised pay for the bed nights and meals, as well as the basic necessities of life for those who have experienced and escaped from domestic violence, as well as all the programs offered, Lalonde said.

“Because when they leave, most of the time, they leave with nothing. They are lucky to walk out with the clothes they have on their back and sometimes even those are torn up.”

Last year, the campaign surpassed its goal of $10,833 for the first time, thanks in large part to Bannister Pipelines and their staff selecting the YWCA as their charity of choice for their Christmas party in 2018.

This year, the goal is $10,902, which represents the number of bed nights provided to date for 2019.

“The campaign is a very important one, because sadly this time of year the need for the women’s shelter increases 10-fold,” Lalonde said.

The women’s shelter has seven rooms with 18 beds and can sleep up to 24 individuals.

Many nights, all 24 beds, cots and cribs are full, Lalonde said.

Those who use the shelter can stay until permanent, safe living arrangements can be made.

“Often, they’ll be encouraged to maybe change a city for their safety and to better provide for their family,” Lalonde said, “because housing in Brandon is also an issue.”

To make a donation to the Keeping Spirits Bright campaign, you can send a cheque or money order to YWCA Brandon 148 11th St, Brandon, MB, R7A 4J4. If you would like to donate using a credit card or cash, you can contact them via email at ywcaadmin@wcgwave.ca or by phone at 204-571-3680.

» brobertson@brandonsun.com