Staff and volunteers at the Nanaimo Women’s Resource Centre are prepared to work for your donations – literally.
Volunteers and staff will do 20 pushups or 20 situps for every $20 donation or new member to the centre on Tuesday (March 8). It’s one of the many events lined up for International Women’s Day in Nanaimo.
The centre supports more than 1,000 women annually as an outreach and referral resource centre at its location at 285 Selby St.
Since opening in 1981, the centre provided programs and services such as housing support, food and clothing resources, counselling, programs for women living on the street and programs for teenage girls in distress.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a strong base of supporters, but like so many non-profit organizations across the country, we could really use a few more,” said Lesley Clarke, executive director. “Every day we work to provide women with the tools, education and resource planning to help them expand their social and economic opportunities.
“We have great programs and services, but there is a lot more we want to do for these women and their families and this has led us to a very big goal – a new house that would allow us the space to grow with the needs of our clients.”
For more information please, visit www.nanaimowomen.com or to make a donation please drop by the centre or call 250-753-0633.
Women will also gather to share food and entertainment during a potluck Wednesday (March 9), 5:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 100 Chapel St.
International Women’s Day was dedicated by the United Nations for recognition that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women.
Speaking to this year’s theme, equal access to education and decent work for women, is Susan Lambert, president of the B.C. Teachers Federation.
“Susan is a wonderful choice for us because of her dynamic work with the BCTF but also because she has always been a strong advocate for women,” said organizer Grace Tickson.
Entertainment for the event includes a performance by dancers from the Chinese community in Nanaimo, singer Marlene Nash, musician Kendall Patrick, singer and song writer Judi Nichol, flamenco dancer Genya, words by Iris Taylor from the Canadian Labour Congress on women’s pensions, the Raging Grannies and a celebratory performance by the AVIVA women’s choir.
The event is open to women only. For more information, please call Dyane at 250-753-3015 or Grace at 250-741-7411.
