Women in Need Society raising funds to keep family centres open

Mar 16 2018, 11:08 pm

A charitable society is in desperate need of a helping hand so it can keep giving to Calgarians.

The Women in Need Society (WINS), a long-standing resource in the city that helps women and their families get back on their feet, has been facing some financial hardships over the past few years.

The depressed economy combined with increased taxes, wages, and need for services has left the society’s revenue stores all but exhausted. It is now making a plea to the public it has been aiding since 1992.

The society is hosting a fundraising with the hopes of raising an additional $500,000 to supplement its store revenues and avoid a permanent closure of its four Family Resource Centres.

The centres will enter into a temporary closure on March 23, though WINS is hoping that they will have raised enough by their April 15 deadline to reopen the centres to those who need them.

“The women who leverage WINS services are desperately trying to start a new life for themselves and their families,” said Karen Ramchuk, executive director of WINS, in the release.

“They may have fled an unstable country and are making a new home in Canada, or they may have escaped an abusive situation and are ready to move forward. Either way, our resources and services are necessary for these women to establish a secure and safe family environment in Calgary.”

According to the release, between 6,000 to 7,000 people are helped every year through WINS’ programs, and that the number of services they offer has doubled between 2014 and 2017.

To help WINS avoid a permanent closure, Calgarians can donate money by visiting their website, donate clothing, furniture, and household goods directly to WINS, selecting them as a beneficiary of community-based event donations, and by simply shopping at of the Women in Need Society stores in Calgary.

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