Here’s how you can help at-risk women and families in Hamilton during COVID-19

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Published April 6, 2020 at 6:29 pm

There have been a number of reports over the past few weeks about the fear of an increase of domestic violence as people isolate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There have been a number of reports over the past few weeks about the fear of an increase of domestic violence as people isolate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The province responded by announcing last week that they were investing $40 million to support organizations that provide residential services for children and youth, people with developmental disabilities and emergency shelters for women and families fleeing domestic violence.

One such organization in our community providing these services is the YWCA of Hamilton.

They are continuing to offer support through their Transitional Housing programs for women escaping violence and who are affected by poverty and homelessness.

This vital support for women in our community, however, needs help from local residents at this unprecedented time in our history.

“While the COVID-19 situation shifts from day to day, so do the needs of our community,” the YWCA Hamilton says on their website.

“But in encouraging self-isolation and distancing amongst the 65 residents who call YWCA Hamilton home, and women who are homeless who we are supporting in temporary hotel spaces provided by the City of Hamilton, one harsh reality becomes clear: isolation and hunger are huge threats to safety and well-being.”

Like the rest of us, women and families accessing these services are asked to practice physical distancing and isolation but given their precarious circumstances, they likely don’t have access to many of the comforts of home most us can rely on through this turbulent time.

“With limited access to food and activities, we simply need supplies to keep those who rely on us active, engaged and fed while isolating in their rooms,” says the YWCA in their plea for help from the community.

The list of requested donations include:

Food: Canned goods, pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, prepackaged foods like granola bars, fruit cups, cheese sticks, fruit, ready to eat meals, instant noodles, and bottled water.

Games and activities: Crossword puzzles, word searches, decks of cards, DIY crafts (paint by numbers, etc), colouring books, pencil crayons, puzzles, beauty face masks, and yoga mats.

Items for keeping clean and safe: Hand sanitizer, dish soap, bar soap, dry shampoo, body wipes, menstrual products, Clorox wipes and masks.

They also have a wishlist on Amazon where items in need can be purchased for donations.

In the meantime, YWCA Hamilton’s non-essential programs and services will remain closed until May 4, 2020, at which point, depending on the direction from Public Health and province, the YWCA says they will reassess.

Carole Anne’s Place, an overnight drop-in centre for women experiencing homelessness, will remain open until April 30, and the YWCA’s residential programs, including the Transitional Living Program at 75 MacNab and residences for Developmental Services, will continue to operate.

Photo courtesy YWCA Hamilton Facebook page

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