Here's how you can help women in need with this community initiative. 

It’s the reality of our busy lives: days filled with responsibilities along with our best efforts to prioritize our health. For many women, giving back is something we want to do— but making a choice on how to best donate can feel daunting and often gets pushed down on the list. If there’s one thing that recent social-consciousness movements have accomplished it’s that they serve as a powerful reminder of what happens when we come together. Even so, it can be challenging to manage the complex emotions involved with realizing how fortunate we are and then hearing the stories of struggle that have become far too common for women— women like Laura who endured for many years.

Last winter, Laura found herself desperately clinging to the hope that her husband’s promises of a peaceful holiday season for her and her 4-year old daughter would be fulfilled. Hopes dashed once more, the familiar cycle of anger and abuse they had become accustomed to began again. One morning after a particularly violent attack the night before, Laura and her daughter finally fled from their home. Afraid to turn to other family members and put them at risk of her husband’s wrath, they arrived at a Yellow Brick House emergency shelter in Ontario— terrified, and with only the clothes on their backs. The staff welcomed Laura and her daughter, immediately providing some warm winter clothing, pyjamas, and other essentials. The children’s worker offered Laura’s daughter her choice of a few toys that were hers to keep— a small but welcome comfort during a scary time. In the days that followed, team members provided desperately needed support, and, when Laura was ready, discussed next steps. The New Year brought with it a glimmer of hope and a chance to heal and rebuild. Laura and her daughter were able to benefit from individual counselling services, group support, as well as assistance navigating the family court system and securing transitional housing support. Finally free from the violence they had endured for so many years, they entered a new phase in their lives armed with a plan for a better future.

“As a woman, as a mother, and a professional, I can relate to how much support I may need to rebuild my life from scratch,” Lorris Herenda, Executive Director of Yellow Brick House, shares. “This overwhelming journey is best travelled with the support of our community and every woman and every child facing violence needs to know that this is not their fault and that they have the support of others surrounding them.” 

Responding to troubling statistics indicating that one in four women and their children are living in violent homes and that one woman is killed every six days in Canada, the organization relies heavily on community support to provide their free and confidential services in the fight to eradicate violence against women. 

Yellow Brick House is one of 500 local women’s health organizations across Canada supported this year through the SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Growing Women’s Health campaign. This community initiative from Shoppers Drug Mart takes the guesswork out of how to give back: whether you purchase a “leaf” for a toonie, a “butterfly” for $5, an “apple” for $10, or a “bird” for $50, you can be confident that 100% of your generous donation will make a positive impact on your community. Over the past 16 years, the campaign has contributed $35 million dollars in support of local women’s charities, recognizing that when women are healthy and strong, our communities flourish. 

Make a donation at your local Shoppers Drug Mart until November 2 and become part of the change. Together, we can help shift stories of women’s health struggles and usher in a hopeful new chapter for our communities.