Muskoka Victim Services was selected by Parry Sound-Muskoka Airbnb hosts to be the local organization recipient of an almost $70K donation, as part of Airbnb’s Community Fund.
“Thanks to this generous donation, we can invest in sustaining our client supports over the long term, turning today’s funding into tomorrow’s lasting impact. This donation strengthens our ability to respond to the evolving needs of those we serve and ensures that vital supports remain accessible for individuals and families. This donation will provide stability and hope, helping us continue to walk alongside those in our community who need us most.” — Eva Zachary, Executive Director.
Following Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Muskoka Victim Services was one of six organizations based in Ontario receiving more than $660,000 CAD combined in Airbnb Community Fund donations this year to support efforts focused on ending abuse and exploitation, combating human trafficking, and strengthening support for vulnerable communities—key priorities identified by the Airbnb host community.
This support will help Ontario organizations deliver essential services such as safe housing, counselling, and community‑based care for survivors of human trafficking and others at risk. By investing directly in frontline work, the funding strengthens the capacity of local groups to sustain and grow programs that respond to the real, evolving needs of people and communities across the province, ensuring more individuals can access safety, stability, and compassionate support.
The organizations receiving donations include:
- Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre Of Nipissing (North Bay, ON) to expand counselling, prevention, and advocacy services and strengthen capacity to deliver trauma-informed care and education.
- Canadian Mental Health Association, Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (London, ON) to furnish apartments with items needed to support comfort and a sense of belonging for new tenants.
- Huronia Transition Homes (Midland, ON) to support programs providing safe housing, food, care, and resources for women and children.
- KCWA Family and Social Services (Toronto, ON) to expand mobile services programs that support newcomers and vulnerable families and strengthen community connection.
- Muskoka Victim Services (Bracebridge, ON) to sustain client support services and respond to evolving community needs.
- SafeHope Home (Ajax, ON) to provide safe housing, care, and support services for women and youth escaping human trafficking.
As part of ongoing global efforts at Airbnb to help end human trafficking and exploitation in all its forms, the company partners with subject‑matter experts to provide hosts worldwide with training to identify and report potential trafficking and exploitation. Working with ECPAT International, we helped launch a free online course—created with direct input from hosts—that offers practical guidance on recognizing, preventing, and reporting possible child exploitation, and is promoting it across its global community of more than five million hosts. Through the Airbnb Community Fund, we support organizations focused on combating abuse and exploitation, donating to more than 50 groups in 17 countries since 2020.
Created in 2020, the Airbnb Community Fund is a nearly $140 million ($100 million USD) initiative designed to support local communities and the people who live there. Since launching, the Fund has invested approximately $2 million in over two-dozen organizations across Canada.
