Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis has been managing a 'crisis within a crisis' because of the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, says its executive director.
An inability to fundraise is among the chief concerns of Sly Castaldi, executive director of Women in Crisis. The agency’s April 17 fundraising gala had to be cancelled due to restrictions put in place to avoid large gatherings in response to the pandemic.
Reached by phone on Wednesday, Castaldi said that gala is the agency’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
“It was a huge blow to us because we raise about $100,000 during that event and that is gone. It’s not going to happen,” she said.
Women in Crisis has been able to continue to operate by moving its outreach services remotely, either by phone or over the internet, as its employees work from home.
“The phone still works and most people still have their cell phones and are able to maintain contact with their counsellors that way when it is safe to do so,” said Castaldi.
While the Women in Crisis office on Elizabeth Street has been closed for weeks, the agency’s violence against women shelter, Marianne’s Place, has remained open.
“Obviously we have had to make a lot of adjustments in terms of ensuring physical distancing and everyone’s safety,” said Castaldi. “That has gone fairly well, considering that a shelter is not always the best place to pass through a pandemic, but I am grateful that everyone is safe and sound.”
An investment was made by the agency to purchase additional computer equipment for people using the shelter.
“For the women and the kids in the shelter we have purchased as much as we can, because you have to remember kids aren’t in school,” said Castaldi. “We had to purchase more computers so they could do some school work and stay entertained and we had to go through our toys and get all of the puzzles and crafts and activities that help people to stay entertained through these really long weeks.
She said the support of the public has been most welcome during the pandemic.
“I am incredibly grateful for this wonderful community of ours, that continues to reach out and check in on us. From the people who have been making masks for us to giving us hand sanitizer or whatever way they have been able to continue to support us has been incredibly moving,” said Castaldi.
“This is an amazing community and this pandemic has really proven that,” she added.
On Thursday, the federal government announced a total of $57,000 in funding to be split locally between Marianne’s Place and the Sexual Assault Centre, both run by Women in Crisis.
“We are asking people to stay home and staying home isn’t always a safe place for everybody. In fact, it’s probably the worst place for some people to be isolated in if they are already at risk,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield by phone on Wednesday.
The funding is part of a $50 million investment by the federal government to support shelters and sexual assault centres Canada wide.
“The funding announcement was incredibly helpful because we have a fair bit to make up somehow and any bit helps,” said Castaldi. “We are grateful for that support because its something we won’t have to raise ourselves in what is going to be really challenging economic times.”
Castaldi said plans are in the works to eventually reopen the agency’s offices.
“We are right now in the process of planning how to bring back everybody in the next few weeks in a safe and gradual way, once we have all of our safety procedures and protocols in place,” she said.
In the meantime, Castaldi said the most important message is to let people who need Women in Crisis’ services that the agency is still there for them.
“We have been here all along. If you need support, please reach out to our crisis lines or through any of our social channels,” said Castaldi.
The Women in Crisis 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 1-800-265-7233 (SAFE).
