Perk Gives Back to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

Our Donation Drive is Collecting Items for Anselma House

As a tech company located in the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo, Perk.com Canada takes our relationship with our community seriously. After a successful fundraiser for StuffIn Stockings during the holiday season, we set our sights on our next community initiative. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer and supporter of #WomenInTech, so in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018, we arranged a donation drive for the month of March to support Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and Anselma House.

Supporting Women in Our Community

Lyndsay was the first employee to bring in donations!

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and symbolizes a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day was #PressforProgress.

With global activism for women’s equality and ending violence against women fueled by movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp and more, the call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and our wider communities is being heard loud and clear. At Perk, we are proud to stand with women in our community as they start new chapters at Anselma House.

“I was so happy to hear Perk employees would be supporting Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region,” said Sarah Rodrigues, a Digital Marketing Specialist at Perk. “This organization supports women at the most difficult times of their lives, and provides resources for them to escape abusive and sometimes life-threatening situations. I’ve volunteered with them before, and was eager to donate as part of Perk’s initiative. No effort is too great to help women survive and thrive in our local community.”

What is Anselma House?

Anselma House is a 45 bed shelter that serves women and their children who are fleeing abusive homes throughout Waterloo Region. In addition to providing a safe haven for women and children up to the age of 18, Anselma House also helps equip women and children with the necessary skills and tools they need to start over. This support ranges from education about violence against women to advocacy programs that connect residents with legal support, housing, parenting guidance, and transitioning towards independence.

After reviewing the Anselma House Wish List, it is apparent that basic necessities such as feminine hygiene products, shampoo, and diapers are in high demand. Other items on the Wish List include gift cards for grocery stores, restaurants, and Chapters, and movie passes for family outings.

Statistics

In the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Anselma House served 169 women, 134 children, and received 2,467 crisis calls from families across Waterloo Region.

To Lyndsay Woodward, Accounts Receivable Clerk at Perk, the women and children who stay at Anselma House are some of the strongest and most courageous people in our community. “They have had to endure so much, and they shouldn’t have to worry about the basic necessities in life. I hope that my small contribution  simply makes a woman’s day a little easier as they start their new beginning.”

We feel fortunate to be able to support such a worthy organization in our community, and look forward to delivering our donations to Anselma House at the end of the month. For more information on Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, and how you can get involved, visit their website.