In Canada, every six days a woman loses her life to gender-based violence. Survivors of gender-based violence frequently say that not having enough money was one of the primary reasons they stayed in abusive situations. Without help to leave, survivors have few options available to them to protect themselves and their families. For survivors who are staying at emergency shelters, a lack of financial resources means their ability to start fresh is still at risk. Not having money to pay the first and last month’s rent or other expenses means that survivors and their families have to stay longer in shelters. This leads to many shelters not having enough space, forcing them to turn survivors and their children away.

So we’re taking action.  

To meet one of the most frequent and urgent needs voiced by survivors, YWCA Canada launched Canada’s first National Emergency Survivor Support Fund (the NESS Fund). This initiative provides women, gender-diverse people and their families with financial support to leave unsafe homes or emergency shelters/precarious housing situations and begin their healing journeys.

I need to access support 

YWCA’s NESS Fund provides one-time financial support to survivors of gender-based violence to help them leave abusive living conditions, emergency shelters or precarious living situations like staying temporarily with friends/family or living unhoused.

Who can apply for YWCA’s NESS Fund? 

The fund is open to women, trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people who are 16 years of age or older. Applicants must be seeking support to leave abusive living conditions, leave emergency shelters or precarious housing conditions (staying with family/friends; couch-surfing or living unhoused) they were accessing as a result of experiencing violence.

What does gender-based violence mean? 

Gender-based violence is an umbrella term describing harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. This includes domestic violence and abuse, intimate-partner violence and family violence.

What can the fund be used for?

The fund is intended to help survivors to leave violence and establish safe, stable housing. You can apply for help with:

  • First and last month’s rent;
  • Rental arears that prevent you from signing a new lease;
  • Set up expenses for utilities;
  • Utilities (hydro, internet, phone) arrears that prevent you from setting up new utilities’ contracts;
  • Moving expenses;
  • Storage expense;
  • Essential furniture for a new home;
  • Travel expenses (Bus, train, flight costs).
  • Gender-affirming care and services as needed by trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people;
  • Expenses related to attaining permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship; and/or,
  • Other essential expenses related to leaving violence and establishing safe, stable housing.

How do I apply for support?

To apply for the YWCA NESS Fund, please contact one of the following YWCAs closest to you.

There isn’t a YWCA close to me. Can I still access support? 

Unfortunately, support is currently only available in the regions listed above at this time. We are working hard to add new regions soon and will update this page as new areas are added.

I work with survivors; can I apply for support on their behalf? 

Yes, please connect with one of the YWCAs listed above that is closest to you

Who do I contact if I have questions? 

Please contact: projects@ywcacanada.ca

I want to support the fund

How can I help?

Right now, we have funding to provide 1500 grants over the next 4 years in 12 regions across the country. We know we need to do much more to meet the needs of survivors nationwide. By donating, you’re standing with survivors.

You can make your gift here: https://ywcacanada.ca/?form=nessf

Looking for ways your company, workplace or community group can support? Please contact philanthropy@ywcacanada.ca

 

YWCA Canada gratefully acknowledges the transformational support of The NESS Fund’s founding funding partner, The Slaight Family Foundation.

We also extend our gratitude to Aviva Canada and The Torrid Foundation for their generous support.

For more details or information about the NESS Fund, watch the FAQ video below :