We are halfway through the year, and in full swing planning our next holiday campaign!
The Shoebox Project for Women
It's more than a gift. It's a reminder that we all matter.
We hope you find this newsletter both inspirational and informational.
Let's dive in!
Gloria was at the top of her game; she had it all: creative talent, her own business, clients, travels, etc. Because life is life, Gloria ended up losing her business, her investments, and her house—going bankrupt.
On March 1st, 2019, Gloria was admitted to Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services (for individuals experiencing challenges tied to homelessness and mental health). New to a situation like this, she felt lonely, vulnerable and in a bleak mental health state.
On March 11th, her birthday, to make her feel special, the staff at Margaret's gave Gloria a Shoebox gift as a birthday present that volunteers from our GTA East Chapter -led by Local Coordinator Kelly Mendonca- had previously delivered for our International Women's Day drive.
As she was thinking about what to do with her life next, she was also openning her Shoebox gift, and to date, Gloria couldn't grasp what had happened at that moment. As she describes it, that small, random, gift-filled Shoebox provided her with a moment of joy and warmth that imprinted on her and motivated her to just be resilient!
Fast-forward five years, this year, 2024, Gloria started RZilient Inc., a new kind of social enterprise incubator that will give voice and support to Lived-Experience Founders like herself, who are often overlooked in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Thank you, Gloria, for choosing us to tell your story and sharing your new inspiration to help others!
Click here to watch Gloria sharing her story during Mental Health Week.
Happening in June
June to September is Pride Season in Canada, a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ people (that is, people who are Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex, or who use other terms related to sexual or gender diversity) and honour the contributions that they have made and continue to make! ?
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
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To learn more about National Indigenous History Month and how you can participate, click here.
Why do we need monthly donors?
Your financial support plays a crucial role in ensuring our long-term operations and the continuation of our mission.
A Shoebox helps one woman at a time, and it is the most loved and coveted donation type by our donors and supporters. However, we also need to emphasize the importance of monetary donations for our sustainability.
Donations to fulfill our essential yet less glamorous needs are crucial for our operations, and donations to support these are often overlooked.
A monthly donation to our General Fund provides us with a reliable source of funding, enabling us to pay our bills -such as rent, utilities, service providers, internet, donor & volunteer management systems -key for transparency, among other financial commitments.
These expenses are the backbone of our organization, and your support in this area is vital for our long-term sustainability.
New this Fall!
The Shoebox Project for Women envisions equitable communities in which all women are seen, valued, and treated with dignity and respect.
To honour this belief, we are developing a series of supportive workshops that will enable women to adopt lifestyle changes and promote health and wellness.
These free online workshops will begin in September and run through next year. More details coming soon!
Thank you for taking the time to read what is meaningful to us.
Happy Summer!