Dec 7: Pride Centre of Edmonton

Today's door was opened, revealing The Pride Centre of Edmonton! http://pridecentreofedmonton.org/

The Pride Centre provides the LGBTQ2+ people of our city and surrounding areas, as well as families and friends of LGBTQ2+ people with programs, support groups, resources, advocacy, and all variety of supportive activities. The Pride Centre plays a vital role in moral and emotional support for individuals; many, many people, especially youth, cite The Pride Centre as one of the most important elements in their lives.

The Pride Centre also offers educational information and discussion for people without direct connection to the LGBTQ2+ community, people who want to learn more.

Please donate at http://pridecentreofedmonton.org/donate.html to help ensure The Pride Centre can continue offering all the wonderful programs and initiatives it does.

During the holiday season, many LGBTQ2+ people are at greater risk of depression and suicide if they have not got family support. The Pride Centre offers a refuge, welcoming, open arms, and a community. In short, The Pride Centre, by its very existence, saves lives.

Dec 6: Please support the Rose Campaign

On December 6, 1989, a man entered École Polytechnique in Montréal, declared his hate for feminists and women, and began shooting as many women as he could. He killed:

Geneviève Bergeron 

Hélène Colgan 

Nathalie Croteau 

Barbara Daigneault 

Anne-Marie Edward 

Maud Haviernick 

Maryse Laganière 

Maryse Leclair 

Anne-Marie Lemay 

Sonia Pelletier 

Michèle Richard 

Annie St-Arneault 

Annie Turcotte 

Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz 

and injured many more.

December 6th is now the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Violent crime, abuse, and murder of women remains a huge cultural problem in Canada.

Today, please donate to the Rose Campaign which offers counselling to women who are victims of violence.

http://www.ywcaofedmonton.org/events/rose-campaign

Please also observe a minute of silence for the victims of the Montréal Massacre, for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and for women everywhere who endure violence in their daily lives.

Day 5: Hope Mission!

Hope Mission provides shelter and food to thousands of Edmontonians. Beyond the basics, it provides housing programming, camp opportunities for children, addictions treatment. Hope Mission operates from a Christian perspective and offers religious supports for those interested, but it is inclusive, accepting and supporting people from all walks of life without question or judgement.

https://hopemission.com/

Please donate: https://hopemission.com/donate/

or

Please donate much-needed in-kind items:

Underwear (Men’s and Women’s)

Socks

Razors & shaving cream

Men’s Jeans (size 30-38)

Toothbrush

Small size body wash

Deodorant

Men’s & Women’s running shoes

Physical donations can be delivered to 9908 106 Ave (M-F, 9-5)

Door 4: YESS! (Youth Empowerment & Support Services, formerly Youth Emergency Shelter Society)

YESS has helped thousands of youth in Edmonton since it opened as a shelter for 16 to 18 year olds in 1981. Since then, YESS has become more than a shelter and has broadened the age range it serves. Young people from 15 to 25 can access programs including food, shelter, education, recreation, health & wellness, and much more.

68% of youth accessing services have been physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abused; many suffer from mental health and addictions issues. YESS is often the only place to turn when parents to kick their teens out instead of supporting them through difficult times. It is the only shelter in Edmonton dedicated exclusively to youth and their unique needs.
http://yess.org/

Please donate: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1312&AID=549

or

Please consider much needed in-kind donations: http://yess.org/donate/in-kind-donation/
(Very long list of items, please visit the page.)

Door 3: Edmonton Food Bank!

Edmonton's Food Bank feeds an average of 15 000 people in a month, a number that increases in the holiday season and has been increasing steadily in the past few years.

Many people don't know that the Food Bank also provides many of Edmonton's shelters for the homeless with the food used to operate their kitchens.
http://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/

Please donate financially at: http://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/donate

or

Please drop off some of the most needed items:

beans with or without pork
canned meat
canned fish
canned fruit or vegetables
peanut butter
macaroni and cheese dinners
pasta and pasta sauce
cereal and oatmeal
school snack items such as juice boxes, fruit cups and granola bars

(most grocery stores have Food Bank bins;
food can also be delivered to the warehouse at 11508 120 Street)

Door 2: WIN House!

WIN House has been providing emergency shelter and support to women fleeing abuse since 1970. Operating 365 days a year, the provide refuge and independence programming, pet care, crisis lines, start up packages, and much more for women and children in Edmonton who need a safe place to stay, free of violence. http://www.winhouse.org/

Please consider making a monetary donation: http://www.winhouse.org/help-today/donate/

or

Please consider an in-kind donation: http://www.winhouse.org/help-today/in-kind-donate/
(The list of needed items is incredibly long; please visit the page to see the inventory of required goods.)

Door 1: Bissell Centre of Edmonton!

The Bissell Centre of Edmonton has been working for over 100 years to serve the homeless, the working poor, the street-involved, and other vulnerable members of our city.

Please help them do the important work they do with a monetary donation:
https://donate.bissellcentre.org/

or with items from their list of most-needed:
http://www.bissellcentre.org/in-kind-donations

NEW ITEMS NEEDED:
Adult Underwear & Socks
Personal Care Items (Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Razors)
Bottles of Water & Refillable Water Bottles; Travel Mugs
Baby Diapers Sizes 4, 5, 6 & and all sizes of Pull-ups
Baby Formula, Wipes, Shampoo, & Lotions
Sunscreen & Bug Repellent

“GENTLY LOVED” ITEMS NEEDED:
Men’s Work Gloves and Work Boots (for Employment Services Program)
Family Clothing (Adult water/wind proof hats & gloves)
Family Outerwear & Footwear  Backpacks and Purses
Bedding and Linens (towels for our Drop-in Centre)
General Household Items (pots, pans, cutlery, small appliances)
Collectables, Decorative Items, and Jewellery
Children’s Toys (small)

FOOD ITEMS NEEDED:
(please drop off at Bissell Centre East Building 10527 - 96 Street)

Store purchased Meat: Beef (Hamburger), Chicken, Pork
Fresh & Frozen Fruit & Vegetables
Coffee, Black Tea
Sugar, Power Cream, Cookies
Saran Wrap, Sandwich Bags, & paper Lunch Bags
Paper & Styrofoam Plates and Bowls, and Plastic Cutlery
Paper Towels

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

Bissell Centre Thrift Shoppe: 8818 - 118 Avenue
Donation Drop-Off Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00am – 4:30pm (Closed Sundays)

South Side Drop-Off Location: 5120 - 122 Street
Donation Drop-Off Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm (Closed Sundays)