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Posts Tagged ‘toronto’

Countdown to the Provincial Election: What YOU can do!

Posted on: September 13th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction  is calling on all provincial political parties to make poverty reduction a key election issue this fall.

In their recently released statement “A Call to Action on Poverty in Ontario”, they say:

“As the October provincial election approaches, we call on all Ontario political parties to make the reduction and eradication of poverty a key election issue and to clearly outline their commitments and concrete plans to tackle poverty in our province.”

Many of the women and children who come to Nellie’s are not only leaving situations  of abuse, but of poverty and homelessness as well.   The Toronto Community Foundation reported in their 2010 Vital Signs report that “almost one quarter (23.4%) of children in female lone-parents families were living in poverty in 2008.”

As countless social service agencies around the city see their demand for services increase and their financial capacity to provide these services threatened by funding cuts, it is of utmost importance that the government we elect takes a serious and progressive stance on tackling poverty

Please check out http://25in5.ca  for more information on how you can get involved.  

The capacity for hope

Posted on: August 26th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

“The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life.  It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started.”   -Norman Cousins, American journalist –

Members of The Miracle Movement at “Lighters”, a gala fundraising event held for Nellie’s last week.  Stay tuned for a full review of this event soon.

In memory of Jack Layton

Posted on: August 22nd, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

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

Bike Sharing Program a great success!

Posted on: August 15th, 2011 by Nellie's No Comments

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in Nellie’s Bike Sharing Program.  In just over a month YOU have helped us create a brand new program that is helping women and children at Nellie’s get around the city!

In total we received 24 women’s bikes and 7 children’s bikes.  In addition, we also received locks, lights, and helmets to keep our riders safe.

We are so pleased to be able to share this feedback from the women at the shelter:

“In all my life I have never had a bike.  I’m 45 now and I finally have one.  This program has changed my life!

“I feel so proud to have a bike that’s all mine!

“I can put my things in the basket and then I go.  To work, to shopping…it’s good!

From shopping and appointments, to work and outings, the women and children at Nellie’s are enjoying the benefits of increased physical activity, connecting with community supports, and also having a lot of fun!

Thanks to our kind and generous supporters, we now have all the bikes we need.  If you are a community organization in need of bikes this summer, please contact info@nellies.org and we would be more than happy to share the love and direct any additional bike donors your way.