We've Moved!

The Kelowna Women's Shelter Blog
has officially been moved!

You can now find us directly on our website

https://kelownawomensshelter.ca/blog

See you there!

Embracing Hope

If one good thing came out of the recent presidential race in the United States, it is that more people are expressing disagreement, and even disgust, with what a certain male candidate called “locker room talk”.

It was refreshing to see large numbers of men, many of them professional athletes, speak out against the ridiculous assertion lewd and sexist comments are the norm in locker rooms, and should therefore be seen as acceptable.

Witnessing these men stand up and be counted on behalf of women everywhere gives me hope we are at a turning point, and might have a shot at ending the culturally-embedded misogyny and inequality that allow violence against women to continue.

Yet while I nurture renewed hope for a future free of abuse, the beds at Kelowna Women’s Shelter remain full.

Every night, women and their children seek refuge here, fleeing the men who were supposed to love them, and treat them with respect and kindness.

Every night, for 36 years, we’ve welcomed victims of intimate partner violence with open arms, providing food, clothing, shelter, counselling support and a shoulder to cry on.

Twenty-four hours a day, our staff are here to wipe their tears and provide the resources and support they need to move forward into a new life.

If not for the support of this community, we could not do what we do. 

Thanks to your support through donations and volunteer time, we are able to put food on the table, keep the lights and heat on, and change lives every single day.

On behalf of the clients, staff and board of directors, “Thank you!”

Karen Mason (Karen.mason@kelownawomensshelter.ca) is executive director of Kelowna Women’s Shelter.

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Christmas donations

We are so grateful for your donations all year long, and particularly struck by the additional generosity we tend to experience at this time of year.

In order to manage the volume, and maintain confidentiality and peace of mind for our clients, we do not accept donations at the Shelter. 

Please take contributions directly to our Thrift Store at 6-368 Industrial Avenue between 10 am and 2 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

If you label donations designated specifically for the Shelter, we’ll make sure they get to their destination.

Ladies 2-ball at Two Eagles

Tickets on sale for for another golf tournament at Two Eagles Golf Course in West Kelowna support of the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

The ladies 2-ball tournament will take place on Tuesday, September 20th-- 11 a.m. start.

Reserve a spot now for $190 a team ($95/ player). Official RCGA handicap required.

Entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, power cart, range balls, a delicious lunch and some fabulous prizes.

For more information or to register, call the Two Eagles pro shop at 250-768-0080.

Thank you Two Eagles for hosting this awesome event! Thanks golfers for your support!

Buy an ice cream, support the Kelowna Women's Shelter!

In the middle of summer it doesn't get better than this: for the entire month of August, when you buy a scoop of freshly-made ice cream at JOEY Kelowna, $1 goes to the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

That's right- buy an ice cream and give back to the Shelter at the same time! It's win win!

It's a new initiative called Scoop of Care, part of the JOEY Restaurants Cup of Care philanthropy program. This month, $1 from each scoop of spun daily ice cream will be donated to a local charity or cause in each community, as chosen by JOEY employees.

We're so thankful that that wonderful employees at JOEY Kelowna named us as their charity of choice!

"Scoop of Care was created from our employees' feedback and desire to find more ways to give back to their respective communities," said Jeff Fuller, owner and CEO of JOEY Restaurants.

"At JOEY Restaurants, we are passionate about empowering our communities and making sure they are provided with the necessary resources to be set-up for success."

There is still lots of time left to enjoy some delicious ice cream and give back in the process-- visit JOEY Kelowna at 2475 Hwy 97N, near Hwy 33. Or get more information here.

The Kelowna Women's Shelter uses funds from community initiatives to support various services for women in need including housing, food, clothing and counselling. We couldn't do what we do without your support-- thanks again JOEY Kelowna!

If you want to donate $10 now-- text SHELTER to 20222.

Tickets on sale for charity golf tournament

Calling all golfers! Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd annual Flaman Fitness and Kelowna Women's Shelter Golf Tournament on Friday, September 9. 

Last year's inaugural tournament was a huge success and we hope to do it again, raising over $40,000 for local women in need.

Join us for nine holes of golf, a gourmet dinner, entertainment and lots of great prizes at the beautiful Two Eagles Golf Course in West Kelowna. 

Tickets are $85 for golf and dinner. Space is limited, so reserve a spot while you can! 

For more information or to register, please contact Richard or Susan Templin at 250-462-0099 or r.s.templin@shaw.ca. You can also contact Crystal Flaman at 250-215-2903.

We can't wait to see you there. Thanks so much for your support!

Not a golfer, but interested in supporting the Kelowna Women's Shelter? Text SHELTER to 20222 to donate $10 now. 

Coming up-- Downtown Kelowna Block Party

It's that time of year again, time to visit us downtown and celebrate summer at the Downtown Kelowna Block Party!

On Saturday, July 23, join the Kelowna Women's Shelter for some fun, food, friends and shopping.

Bernard Avenue will be blocked off from Richter St. to Abbott St. and lined with over 100 vendors, including the Shelter.

We'll be there with important information along with some great activities for kids.

We love being part of the awesome Kelowna community, hope to see you there!

For more information visit www.downtownkelowna.com.

There are so many ways to give back to the Kelowna Women's Shelter and local women in need. Text SHELTER to 20222 to donate $10 now.

Coming up: The True Fitness Challenge

Calling all Okanagan fitness buffs! Coming up on July 2-3, take part in The True Fitness Challenge in support of the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

The competition will feature fitness skills, a modelling competition and an obstacle course. It's all part of the Kelowna Fitness Expo happening at the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Prospera Place.

Compete as an individual, as a team, or both. Enter one event or all three!

The True Fitness Challenge is open to men and women of all fitness levels. Win up to $500 cash. 

Proceeds from the competition will go to the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

For tickets and more information, visit www.kelownafitnessexpo.com. 

Football players offer support

On Saturday, June 18 members of the Okanagan Sun Football Club and representatives of the Kiwanis Club of Kelowna Summit offered their time and energy doing yard work for the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

Team members and coach Mike Botterill spent the morning doing some serious weeding and now our yard looks better than ever!

Sadly, every year a number of professional athletes make headlines for domestic violence. It's wonderful to know the young men in our community are instead dedicating their time to being positive role models and supporting women in need. 

Thank you for setting such a great example!

As always, we are very grateful for your hard work and support. Thanks, Kiwanis and Okanagan Sun.

Thanks BMO for your Day of Caring!

On Tuesday, an enthusiastic team of volunteers from BMO came to the Kelowna Women's Shelter for an afternoon of yard work.

The group did gardening, staining, sweeping, cleaning and various repairs around the shelter. It was all part of the Day of Caring campaign, sponsored by the United Way.

United Way Day of Caring is an agency-focused event that connects volunteers to local non-profit organizations and promotes volunteerism through community service.

For more information on how you can take part, click here.

Thank you again United Way and BMO! We really appreciate your support!

Shelter takes part in Fat Cat Children's Festival

Come be a cat with the Kelowna Women's Shelter at the upcoming Fat Cat Children's Festival on June 10 and 11 at Waterfront Park.

This year marks the 26th edition of the fun-filled family event. The theme this year is "Fat Cat is... the Okanagan Explorer." We dress up as cats each year, so put on your favourite cat costume and come take part!

The festival is packed with activities, education booths and crafts for kids. There will also be a full day of stage performances and street performers!

The Kelowna Women's Shelter will have a craft table set up from 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Friday, June 10. On Saturday, check out the parade on Cawston Avenue from 10-11:30 a.m. 

Weekend admission is $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. For more information visit fatcatfestival.ca.