Ribbons for Hope campaign raises funds and awareness

A Southeast Manitoba shelter is hoping their third annual Ribbons of Hope campaign will raise awareness and funds for the facility.

Agape House provides a safe space and around-the-clock support for women experiencing domestic violence.

Executive director Tracy Whitby said while funds are always needed, so is the visible reminder that there are allies within the region.

“The Ribbons for Hope campaign is an opportunity for us to be visible within our community, to be front and centre with businesses and people coming into to their storefronts, but also an opportunity for survivors to see that purple ribbon and just that acknowledgement that they are seen, that they are cared for, that they are supported within this community,” she said.

Purple ribbons and donation boxes are available at participating businesses and funds raised support programming and services.

Outreach and housing coordinator for Agape House, Lisa Fast said the ribbons can also bring the issue into the light as a conversation starter.

“(The campaign) not only grows general awareness about what violence is and what it looks like, but also for those that might be experiencing it to see that there are people who stand with them and see them,” Fast said.

The ribbons are a simple way to show support.

Although Agape House is supported with core funding and per diem funding from the province, Whitby said there are costs above and beyond that support.

“We do need to fundraise to be able to break even,” she said.

As the need continues to grow, Agape House is eyeing expansion and finding ways to serve their large area, which stretches across the Southeast.

A new provincial initiative has also helped reach more people.

For the first time the province will fund kennel stays for people’s pets.

“When a person is leaving an abusive relationship, often times they may have a pet that they don’t want to leave or they’ll choose to stay instead of leaving their pet,” she said.

That can also bring more costs as well, as in order for a pet to access a kennel, they must be up to date on their vaccinations and be spayed or neutered. Those costs are not covered by the province.

Agape House is also doing their November appeal which leverages funding from businesses.

Last year’s appeal raised close to $40,000.

Fast said their numbers continue to rise, though after year over year increases of 40 to 60 percent it appears to have stabilized this year.

This summer alone, Fast said they had 418 adult bed nights, 417 child bed nights and handled 336 crisis calls.

This is not just a local trend. Fast said Manitoba still consistently has one of the highest domestic violence rates in Canada.

Reaching out to rural areas is important for Agape House.

“We know that barriers look different for rural areas,” Fast said.

The facility has hired a new sexual assault counsellor advocate with a focus on rural engagement thanks to a three-year grant from the province.

To find out how to support Agape House by donating or getting a purple ribbon go to www.agapehouse.ca.

Those in need of services can call the crisis line at 204-346-0028 or chat live using a link on their website. Both are monitored 24 hours a day.