Qimaavik wants help finding gifts this Christmas

Suny Jacob, the executive director of Nunavut’s YWCA-Agvik, says donations from members of the public can help make Christmas brighter for the women and children who stay at the organization’s two Iqaluit-based facilities. (FILE PHOTO)

Nunavut’s YWCA-Agvvik organization is asking for charitable donations to help provide Christmas gifts to women and children at its Qimaavik shelter and Sivummut transition house in Iqaluit.

“The population we are serving is poor, disenfranchised, and lacking so many every day items, as they have fled treacherous situations with sometimes only their shoes and very little else,” said Suny Jacob, the executive director of YWCA Agvvik Nunavut.

The non-profit organization and registered charity makes efforts throughout the year to fundraise, Jacobs said.

But operating costs and the number of clients served at the two facilities continue to rise.

That’s why the public’s help is necessary, particularly at this time of year, she said.

The Qimaavik shelter in Apex, which helps women and children fleeing violence, and the Sivummut house in Iqaluit, which assists women-led families, at risk of homelessness, have never been busier.

The occupancy rate this year at Qimaavik averaged from 92 to 120 per cent, according to figures from YWCA-Agvvik.

“These women and children have had their lives turned upside down due to years of abuse, and their flight from unsafe homes has left them emotionally exhausted and penniless,” Jacob said. “Many of them leave home with just the clothes on their backs.”

The YWCA-Agvvik is accepting donations of clothing for women and children, toys and money.

The organization also welcomes the contributions of volunteers, who are willing to give their time.

If you are interested in helping, you can contact YWCA Agvvik Nunavut at (867) 979-4500.