While the holiday season is a joyful time for many, that’s not the case for women and children in the community experiencing domestic abuse and violence who need to turn to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for help.
That’s why the non-profit organization is aiming to raise $200,000 before the end of the year, a goal made easier thanks to a matching donation up to $60,000 from Olivia and Gord James. Olivia was previously a long-time YWCA board member and has seen the critical role the organization plays in the lives of thousands of women and families each year.
“We want people to really reflect and take an opportunity to think about how fortunate they are in their own lives through the holiday season,” says Tina Thornton, director of philanthropy for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “But we also want people to think about others out there who might unfortunately be sitting around their holiday dinner table, terrified to speak or do anything because they’re afraid of the violence that could occur in their home.”
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton aims to raise approximately $1 million every year to support their many programs, one-third of which are funded through donations alone. However, last year’s postal strike that began in mid-November and continued through the holiday season meant many people couldn’t mail in their donations. As a result, the YWCA experienced a significant shortfall in donated funds, which the organization hopes to make up for through the 2025 holiday campaign.
In this year’s holiday appeal, Christine — whose name has been changed for her safety and to protect the anonymity of her children — is a survivor of domestic abuse who shares her story of having received life-changing support from the YWCA.
Christine’s story highlights the broad range of programs and services offered by YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, as she not only received counselling sessions, legal guidance, and help navigating the education system, but a sense of safety.
PDF: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton 2025 Holiday Appeal – Christine’s Story
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton 2025 Holiday Appeal - Christine's Story
“Providing shelter for women and their children when faced with domestic violence is incredibly important, but it is simply just one of many elements that we do to support women and families,” says Thornton.
While donations can always be allocated to specific areas, this year the YWCA is asking community members to consider supporting each of these resources by donating to Her Journey of Care, a wrap-around model that provides a woman with support and guidance on her journey from fear to safety, from trauma to healing, and from control to independence, so she can live the life of her choosing.
Her Journey of Care includes the supports that Christine received, as well as educational resources on healthy relationships and life skills, financial and housing assistance, connections to other organizations, and much more.
“Her Journey of Care provides that wrap-around support from the moment she makes that first call until she’s ready to stand on her own two feet and really become independent,” says Thornton. “We support her no matter what that donation looks like.”
Although the Canada Post labour dispute has not yet been resolved, the postal workers union has decided against a national strike in favour of a rotating strike, meaning mail delivery will continue. You can send your donation by postal mail to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, 216 Simcoe St., Peterborough ON K9H 2H7.
To donate immediately, you can call 705-743-3526 or donate online at ywcapeterborough.org, where you can also learn more about how YWCA Peterborough Haliburton supports women and children recovering from gender-based violence.
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