During the month of June, we are launching this years’ Adopt a Shelter Purchase a House Campaign at our local Prince George Canadian Tire. In July, both Boston Pizza locations in Prince George will be continuing this worthwhile campaign.  During these months, Canadian Tire and Boston Pizza customers can purchase a house for $2.  One dollar will go to support the work of our local Elizabeth Fry transition house, Amber House, and $1 will support the development of transition house services in India.  We invite Prince George to come and either stock up on automotive goods, hardware, camping supplies and so on at Canadian Tire and/or enjoy a great meal at Boston Pizza and support our Adopt a shelter program!

The Adopt a Shelter Program has been created in order to raise funds for our local Elizabeth Fry Society Transition House, Amber House.  Amber House (formally known as the Elizabeth Fry Shelter) provides safety and security for over 550 women and children ever year, and turns away the same number due to lack of space or specialized services.  Given our high occupancy rate and our aging house, we experience much financial need and therefore, we have created a financial campaign to assist us with maintenance as well as to expand our children’s play/ counselling/ support program.  Children deserve a safe haven where they can be free to be a child and learn about some hope of a life free of domestic violence.

In addition, while we know that the needs of our community are vast, we also recognize that the needs of women and children in other places in our world are greater.  Therefore, half of the funds that we raise, through the adopt a shelter program, will go to a country where violence against women is the fastest growing crime.  Therefore, half of the funds that we raise will go to support a feminist grass routes agency in Pune, India in order to assist in the development of the first ever transition house for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

This year, we believe that our fundraising program can reach our first fundraising goal of $20,0000.  Once we reach this goal, we will be sending these valuable and necessary support dollars to our adopted agency in India, Jagruti Seva Sanstha!  We believe that our fundraising program can bring into focus the need for shelters both locally and globally, shining a light on the need to stop gender-based violence around the world.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our fundraiser in October 2009.