Christmas at shelter leaves lasting impression
So many lives touched.
Some reinforce our belief in the goodness and generosity in our community. Others leave a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, and a feeling of disbelief that such unthinkable cruelty could be going on around us — sometimes right underneath our nose.
Women — and children — are forced to flee their home to escape domestic violence. They live in constant fear for their safety. So they seek shelter at a local crisis shelter. There, they are safe. At least for the short-term.
Support services help them move forward. Counselling, information and education, advocacy and referrals, children’s programming and outreach services are provided.
Shelters are about more than providing basic needs. Compassionate staff work to help women and children heal, become empowered and grow.
No one wants to spend Christmas in an emergency shelter. But it’s comforting to know that if they need to, a safe refuge is available.
Spending time in a shelter leaves a lasting impression.
Maria Hendrika, executive director at Regina Transition House, recalled a return visit by a former resident, now a young man: “One of the most heartwarming moments I had working here was opening the door in December and having a very awkward teenager, who was about 16, hand me this bag and say ‘Here. This is for the kids. I stayed here. It was a good Christmas.”
After handing over his of gifts, he left.
“And he made me cry,” Hendrika said.
The charities chosen to receive money from this year’s Christmas Cheer Fund are four Regina shelters that provide safety and support for women and children in domestic abuse situations: SOFIA House, Transition House, The YWCA Regina’s Isabel Johnson Shelter and WISH Safe House.
Donations of $10 or more are tax-deductible, with receipts issued in the name of The Leader-Post Foundation.
The Leader-Post and the foundation cover all administrative costs associated with the fund, which means that every cent of your donation will be split among these organizations.
There are several ways to make a donation:
• Online by going to leaderpost. com/cheerfund.
• By dropping off a donation at the reception desk in the front office of the Leader-Post, 1964 Park St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• By mailing a cheque or money order to The LeaderPost Christmas Cheer Fund, Box 1130, Regina, Sask., S4P 3B4. An official donation receipt from the foundation will be mailed to you by the end of the campaign.
• By making a donation using a credit card. An ongoing ad in the Leader-Post provides details.
If there is a special story behind your donation, feel free to tell us about it.