Province Announces 16 Grants Totaling More Than $1 Million
July 6, 2016 2:00 P.M.Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario is investing more than $1 million in 16 projects to support Violence Against Women agencies and shelters in rural, remote and Northern communities across the province through the Rural Realities Fund.
Minister of Community and Social Services Dr. Helena Jaczek was at the Leeds & Grenville Interval House women's shelter in Brockville today to announce that the shelter is receiving $121,000 over two years to create a mobile hub of services to support local women and their children.
Violence Against Women agencies in rural, remote and Northern communities face unique challenges in delivering services to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The Rural Realities Fund provides funds to innovative projects in these communities, such as mobile services units, coordinated approaches to providing transportation to services, and training initiatives to bring more services to the women and children.
The province will also be providing $100,000 to the Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional Houses (OAITH) to deliver training to the violence against women sector across the province. The training will include online resources and modules that cover a broad range of issues, including domestic and sexual violence. This investment will assist in continuing to build expertise in the sector.
The creation of a new Rural Realities Fund was a recommendation to the province from the Premier's Roundtable on Violence Against Women. Both of these initiatives also support the Ontario government's goals of ending violence against women and providing better supports for survivors, and also support the government's It's Never Okay: Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.
Quick Facts
- Ontario funds more than 2,000 shelter beds for women who experience abuse and their children.
- Approximately 10,390 women and 7,330 children were served at VAW shelters in 2014-15.
Background Information
Additional Resources
Quotes
“These projects will help to ensure that women and their children experiencing violence in their homes in rural, remote and Northern communities have access to the help and support they need. I am confident that the projects we have selected will lead to innovative local solutions that address some of the unique challenges agencies face in serving women.” - Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services
“Every woman deserves to live free from the fear of violence in her home and community. Women in rural and isolated communities who have experienced violence will now have better access to the supports they need to help them live safely and rebuild their lives.” - Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues
“The safety and wellbeing of women and children living in rural communities is important to this government. Through initiatives like the Rural Realities Fund we are helping to ensure that victims of domestic violence have access to safe shelters and to the services they need regardless of where they live. We are listening and working together with rural residents to make rural Ontario a desirable place to live, work and raise a family.” - Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
“The Rural Realities Fund will help to support the important work we are doing in Leeds-Grenville to address domestic abuse in our community. We look forward to working with the Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional House (OAITH) to build a depth of expertise in our sector and to support women and their families during difficult times.” - Charlene Catchpole, Executive Director of Leeds & Grenville Interval House and Chair, Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional House
Media Contacts
Alissa Von Bargen
Minister’s Office
416-325-5450
Grace Mfumuangani
Communications
416-325-0216