The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has donated $22,486.15 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton — surpassing last year’s donation by more than $2,000.
The funds were raised through the networking organization’s annual holiday gala held in December at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront.
For more than 30 years, WBN has supported the YWCA Crossroads Shelter, a service that protects local women and their children from violence and abuse while providing them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
“We feel strongly about giving back to our community and supporting our local YWCA’s Safe Night’s Sleep Program this year,” says WBN Program Director Lori McKee. “We are thrilled that we surpassed last year’s donation of $20,000 and that the money raised will help mothers and their children experience warm and secure nights.”
WBN revealed the final donation amount tonight (January 9) at its monthly members’ meeting at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, where McKee and WBN Program Director Danielle McIver presented a cheque to Donna Masters, YWCA Director of Philanthropy and Communications, and Ria Nicholson, YWCA Associate for Fundraising Events.
“This is further proof that we are indeed surrounded by a genuinely supportive community,” McKee says. “We are grateful for the generosity of our WBN members, guests, volunteers and local businesses for making this event a huge success. Thank you for all your hard work and support that has allowed us to reach our fundraising goal.”
The funds raised from the WBN Holiday Gala will support the YWCA’s Safe Night’s Sleep Program at Crossroads Shelter, which provides emergency shelter, meals, counselling and personal care supplies for women and children. Last year, YWCA Crossroads Shelter and Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace provided 8,159 safe nights for women and children.
“The need for safety is ongoing,” Masters says. “Continued support helps change lives in Peterborough and Haliburton by sustaining a broad range of YWCA programs and services for women and their children. Together, we can continue to provide a path to safety and the opportunity for a fresh start.”
According to a report released by the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses on December 6, 2018, 48 women were killed last year as a result of intimate partner violence in Ontario.
Three of those 48 victims were from the Kawarthas region: 35-year-old Heeley Rae Balanga of Kawartha Lakes, who was found dead after a fire in her home on May 29th (a 44-year-old man was charged with first-degree murder and arson); 51-year-old Wendy Allan of Lindsay, who was shot to death by her husband on August 19th in her home (her husband then committed suicide); and 71-year-old Sandra Finn of Peterborough, who was shot to death by her husband on August 22nd in a Home Depot parking lot (Terrance Finn was charged with first-degree murder).
One safe night at YWCA Crossroads Shelter costs $45.96, typically beyond what government funding provides, and includes everything from the physical safety of a private room and 24-hour support, to nutritious meals, linens, clothing, and personal care items.
WBN is a networking channel for women who wish to enhance and expand their business contacts and grow their businesses. Formed in 1961 as the Peterborough Chapter of the Canadian Advertising and Sales Association, the network has evolved into a dynamic and growing membership of women with diverse backgrounds and careers who meet to share their knowledge and experience and promote their businesses.
For more information about WBN and to read profiles of selected members, visit our special editorial section.
