The YWCA group in Yellowknife is once again launching their Family Holiday Sponsorship Program to help struggling families over the holidays.
This event has been in operation for up to fifteen years, and sees YK residents donate presents and gift cards to the various women, children, and families who make use of the YWCA’s facilities, such as Lyn’s Place, Gotı̨ li Kǫ, and those who live in YWCA supported apartments around the city.
(Photo provided by YWCA)
Alayna Ward, a representative of the YWCA, said that the event is “a way to spread a little cheer around to families who struggle throughout the year, but particularly struggle around the holidays. This is an opportunity for people to help some local families throughout the community, and provide some gifts for everyone to have a special meal together over the holidays.”
Ward adds that if people are struggling to come up with ideas of what they can donate, the YWCA can help.
“We’ve developed some gift guidelines that kind of give people an idea of what to spend. We’ve had a lot of people come and ask us what should they buy, how much to spend, that sort of thing. So we developed something that includes about a hundred dollars for gifts, and depending on if they will be supporting a parent or a couple, about fifty dollars per person for a grocery gift card.”
(Photo provided by YWCA)
Additionally, the YWCA has a number of other facilities and resources that are available for residents to help donate to people in need. One of the busier locations during the holidays is the YWCA’s Family Violence Shelter, also known as the Alison McAteer House. This location is a secure and anonymous location for people to use when they are fleeing from intimate partner violence. The McAteer House will also be accepting holiday donations for their residents.
Ward says that this year is seeing a higher than usual need for donations and support. She states that the YWCA is currently working to support as many as seventy-three families and nearly 150 children. They are hoping to receive enough support from the community to provide aid to everyone on their list.
The YWCA website can be found by clicking here.
