Yesterday, United Way East Ontario honoured four organizations with a #CommunityBuilder of the Year Award for their work to end gender-based violence.
The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, End Violence Against Women Renfrew County, Lanark County Interval House, and La Coalition de Prescott-Russell pour Éliminer la Violence faite aux Femmes are not only pulling people out of crisis to build a new life, but these groups are also working to change the conditions that allow for gender-based violence to exist in the first place.
Gender-based violence has been on the rise, especially since the onset of the pandemic. It’s a harsh reality that every week in Ontario, a woman, child, trans woman, Two-spirit person, or gender-non confirming person is killed by a man.
Each year, United Way East Ontario recognizes an exceptional person, organization, or group that has had a unique and lasting impact on our community, that exemplifies compassion for others, and that builds stronger, healthier communities for everyone.
These Community Builders have been working for decades to empower government, organizations, and individuals to take action and end the violence. In my role as Past Chair of the Board of United Way East Ontario, I am inspired by these Community Builders! You can learn more about their work here:
English link: https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/
Congratulations to this year’s recipients of United Way’s Community Builder of the Year Award, for supporting survivors and for lighting the way to a brighter future for all of us.