You can make a difference

On any given day in Canada, more than 3,000 women, along with their 2,500 children, are living in an emergency shelter to escape domestic violence. Violence against women happens in all cultures and religions, in all ethnic and racial communities, at every age, and in every income group. It is also widely known that immigrant women are one of the groups that are most vulnerable to domestic violence due to economic dependence, language barriers, and a lack of knowledge about community resources.

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1988 providing unique and essential programming. In the past year, we have helped over 2,500 women and their children move from vulnerability into safety. There is a growing demand for culturally-responsive, timely and integrated services for immigrant women. At IWSO, our goal is to eliminate all forms of abuse and to empower immigrant women to reach their full potential. With your help, we give immigrant women a chance for a better life. They can escape violence and begin to rebuild their lives. With the right kind of help, tiny steps become giant strides.

Help us transform the lives of women. You know helping women move out of violence and poverty creates a ripple effect. The benefits flow to their children, their neighborhood, our economy–our community. You understand that immigrant women are not a “special interest” group—they are a vital part of our city. When you improve their ability to stand on their own, we all benefit.

Thanks to generous contributors like you, we are able to continue the vital and unique work we do every year. Financial donations help IWSO to continue to provide quality services to survivors of domestic violence. We are happy to accept one-time or recurring credit card donations! Any amount – small or large is gratefully received.