Archives for January 2021

Archive for January, 2021

More than just a bed: Nellie’s programs meet complex needs of our community

Posted on: January 30th, 2021 by Nellie's No Comments

Most people who think of Nellie’s, think first of our shelter. They think of the women and their children who arrive every month in search of a safe space.

But we are so much more than a bed; we help women and their children take the brave steps towards accomplishing the next chapter in their lives.

“We have always been more than just a bed, we’re there in the moment of crisis but we continue to stand alongside the women and children who need us as they take positive steps towards their future,” says Jyoti Singh, Nellie’s Executive Director.

Even through the challenges of this global pandemic, we stand alongside them as they navigate the legal system, immigration services, social services, child protection services, health care, and more. And, we offer counselling, children’s programming, safety planning, outreach services, violence against women workshops, and more. Government funding ensures a roof over our heads, beds to sleep in and other essentials, but the essential programs and services we deliver to meet the changing and complex needs of our community are possible because of generous donors like you.

Here’s a look at just some of the programs and services available to the women and their children both in our shelter and living in our community through our Community Support and Outreach office.

Children’s Program

Abuse destroys a child’s view of the world as a safe and predictable place. Children suffering from the effects of abuse and trauma often learn that bad things happen no matter how hard you try to be good. The Children’s Program uses art and creative interventions to provide a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings. It gives children living at Nellie’s a space to be kids again while giving their mothers a few hours to themselves. During last spring’s shutdown, we opened our children’s playroom more often to help kids while schools were closed. Read about how pandemic restrictions changed how we run our program.

Domestic Youth Violence Program

A different approach than our Children’s Program is needed for teens to deal with their trauma. Our Domestic Youth Violence Program works with teens in a structured, constructive, and positive way. Many have witnessed violence in the home, which can lead to challenging behaviours, such as repeating violence, and escalating mother-child conflicts. As well, adolescents who suffered trauma are at risk of academic failure, dropping out of school, and substance abuse. Our program purposefully addresses these issues in an effort to stop the cycle of violence.

Transitional Housing Program

Many of the women who turn to Nellie’s for support are homeless or facing eviction. And, once they find housing, many factors can contribute to their struggle to maintain it. Our Transitional Housing Program offers eviction support to help these women stay in their homes. This support may be providing guidance on accessing emergency funding to pay rent, advocating on their behalf on landlord-tenant issues, accompanying them to housing tribunal hearings, or offering referrals to legal clinics. Read about how we helped Olivia and her daughters stay in their home.

Food Program

For families in our community experiencing food insecurity, the Food Program provides fresh, pre-cooked and non-perishable food donations. This program helps about 80 families with their ability to gain and maintain stable housing and cover their basic needs and emergency expenses without going hungry. Read about our partnership with Second Harvest, which helps us run the program.

Thank you to all of our donors, large and small. The women and children in our community count on us to be there for them when they need us and we thank every single person, community organization and corporation that is helping us to do so every day.

To make a secure online donation, please visit our donation page. Or, you can make an even bigger impact by becoming a monthly donor. As a regular monthly supporter, your generosity provides critical and consistent funding towards our daily efforts to help women and their children impacted by abuse, trauma and homelessness. Automatic monthly payments are easy to set up, convenient, and create a lasting impact on the lives of women and their children at Nellie’s.

Thank you to our generous donors

Posted on: January 20th, 2021 by Nellie's No Comments

Here at Nellie’s, we are forever grateful for the generosity of our donors near and far. We’ve had to learn a lot about how to safely operate during the pandemic and your unwavering support has helped make this difficult year a little less challenging.

Generous monetary donations, in-kind gifts, masks and other PPE dropped off for our women, their children and our staff, and even heart-warming notes of support, have all ensured that we have been able to continue meeting the needs of the women and their children living at Nellie’s as well as those who need the support of our community programs and services.

“So many organizations pivoted in how they fundraised for us. They were working remotely, or were even closed,” says Ingrid Graham, Director of Development at Nellie’s. “But they changed their fundraising models, and went online. And by doing so, they raised even more money. During times of adversity, our donors didn’t bail, they just shifted.”

Here are just a few that supported us this holiday season.

One Academy

After raising over $8,000 for Nellie’s in May with a virtual workout fundraiser, One Academy decided to do it again before the holiday rush. With an instructor running a class from their closed east-end gym, and hundreds of people joining online from all over the world, Academy One raised over $11,000 in support of Nellie’s.

King Ursa

One of the directors at this Toronto ad agency, along with his wife, were frequent volunteers at Peggy Capitain’s annual holiday dinner for Nellie’s at Ralph Thornton Community Centre. That party, filled with music, food, laughter and a visit from Santa had been held every year for a decade for families in Nellie’s community. Since COVID-19 restrictions across the country meant limits on social gatherings and therefore no holiday party, the owners of King Ursa created an online fundraising campaign in support of Nellie’s. By reaching out to their employees, they raised close to $4,000.

Girl Up Toronto

The Toronto chapter of the Girl Up campaign, which aims to empower girls and encourage advocacy, held a holiday drive to create essentials kits for the women and their children living at Nellie’s. A few days before Christmas, chapter members dropped off toiletries, hair care products, makeup, non-perishable food, and baby/child care items. “They have great ideas of philanthropy and they want to change the world. And they’re so enthusiastic about helping women and girls,” says Ingrid.

Finally, a quick shout out to Fox and Firkin and Realtor Miguel Madeira, who went the extra mile to do something special for both the women and their children living at Nellie’s and our incredible staff. Miguel brought over gourmet pizza one afternoon in December specifically to give our staff a boost. And, the Fox and Firkin offered free meals on three different days. Everyone got to order their own meal off the menu.

“It was a really nice treat for both our residents and our staff,” says Ingrid.

The women and children in our community count on us to be there for them when they need us and we thank every single community organization and corporation that helped us to do just that last year.