‘We are just blown away by the Cavana staff and guests taking the time to think of our clients at this time of year,’ said Krista Storey, Green Haven Executive Director. ‘The giving season gets very busy for us at the shelter with so many people wishing to donate,’ adds Storey, ‘and we are so grateful to be in such a giving and supportive community.’

For over 34 years, Green Haven has been providing a safe and secure space for women and children escaping violence. Over a period of weeks, staff use a trauma informed wraparound approach, providing clients with secure shelter, food, critical support services such as counselling, financial and legal advocacy, housing and employment supports, as well as programs for children affected by violence and at this time of year. ‘We are a 14 bed facility and we often see an increased need during the holidays and we don’t want
anyone to be without the essentials,’ says Storey.

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, only 60% of the shelter’s annual operating costs are covered by the province, so the organization is left to raise approximately $600,000 per year through fundraising efforts.

Although staff are grateful for the community’s generosity, being a facility that provides safety and security to the vulnerable sector, they insist that people make an appointment first before dropping off any kind of donation. ‘We really appreciate the community’s understanding that our clients’ safety comes first so we prefer to take donations during the week when our donation staff are on site.’

For anyone wishing to donate, please contact Shari at operations@ghws.ca or Jessica at fundraiser@ghws.ca to determine the shelter’s current needs and to make an appointment for drop off.

Items the shelter needs year-round are; toilet paper, paper towels, gift cards and transit passes and as Storey adds, they’ll always be happy to take cash, cheques and financial donations through the Green Haven website at www.greenhavenshelter.com

The post Green Haven Extremely Grateful For The Giving Season appeared first on Muskoka411.

On Thursday, December 18th at the Orillia Opera House, audience members can plan to be delightfully entertained and lured into the holiday spirit with an all-female cast of top notch Canadian comedic talent of stage and screen.

This treasured holiday tradition will feature a stellar cast, comprising of a first-time-ever merger of members of television and stage comedy institutions like The Baroness von Sketch Show, Women Fully Clothed, and Second City’s Mainstage. The cast includes Aurora Browne, Christy Bruce, Teresa Pavlinek, Naomi Snieckus, Janet van de Graaff, Musical Director Jim Clayton, and directed by Bruce Pirrie.

A Christmas Carol is a fitting holiday classic about a miserly and miserable old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who after being shown the error of his ways, is transformed and becomes generous, kind and joyful. The perfect recipe for hope while finding the holiday spirit!

Green Haven Shelter for Women has been providing safety, shelter, and hope to women and children escaping violence for over 34 years.

This all-star reading of this seasonal favourite will be presented as you have always known it, but with a Dickens of a cast! All of whom are donating their time and talents for this worthy cause.

Tickets can be purchased through the Orillia Opera House website at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca .Showtime is 7:00 pm and tickets are $45 regular and $20 for students. Gather the entire family and join us for the perfect holiday season tradition of story telling, carol singing, and
sweet treats.

For more information about Green Haven Shelter for Women, visit: www.greenhavenshelter.com

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Femicides are on the rise with two more recent deaths very close to home making these types of awareness events a necessity. ‘We’ve seen a 76% increase in women and 57% increase in children in our shelter over the past three years.’ says Green Haven Executive Director, Krista Storey. ‘In addition, we received 1025 crisis calls last year and 209 were referred to other agencies due to capacity limits. The statistics are staggering with
no signs of slowing down.’ she adds.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action.

‘Gender-based violence affects individuals, families, and entire communities,” says Storey. ‘And according to the United Nations, a woman is killed by an intimate partner or family member every 10 minutes globally. This is a crisis that demands urgent attention and action from all of us.’

Green Haven is a 14 bed facility that offers a safe and secure space for women and children escaping violence. Over a period of weeks, staff use a trauma informed wraparound approach, providing clients with secure shelter, food, critical support services such as counselling, financial and legal advocacy, housing and employment supports, as well as programs for children affected by violence.

Although funded by the province through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, only 60% of the operating costs are covered, leaving Green Haven to fend for itself for the remaining shortfall. Storey encourages the community during this campaign to consider taking action to support these women and children by listening, learning, advocating, donating, following and sharing on social media, attending
fundraising events, and simply spreading awareness about the realities of gender-based violence.

‘We need the whole community to come together to end this epidemic.’ says Storey ‘Every action matters.’

For more information about Green Haven Shelter for Women, or to donate, visit: greenhavenshelter.com or follow @greenhavenshelter on social media.

The post Green Haven Kicks Off 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence appeared first on Muskoka411.

After learning about Green Haven’s urgent need for a generator to safeguard residents and staff during power outages, the Foundation stepped forward to make an extraordinary contribution that will have a lasting impact on the safety and well-being of women and children fleeing violence.

Green Haven’s shelter, spanning 14,500 square feet, requires a generator of substantial capacity to power essential services during outages. This donation brings the organization significantly closer to its goal of raising the full cost of purchase, installation, and maintenance of the system.

“This incredible gift came as a complete surprise,” said Krista Storey, Executive Director of Green Haven Shelter for Women. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude. The Frank H. Hori Foundation’s generosity lights the way—literally—for women and children who deserve safety, dignity, and stability, no matter the circumstances.”

The timing of this gift adds even more excitement leading up to Green Haven’s annual Walk This Way fundraising event on October 16, 2025, at 6:15 PM at the Orillia Public Library. The walk brings the community together to raise awareness and funds for programs supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including the generator campaign.

“This donation reminds us why we walk, to power hope, safety, and change,” added Storey. “We invite the entire community to join us at Walk This Way and be part of this powerful movement.”

Don’t forget to register today at walkthiswayorillia.ca to walk alongside survivors, advocates, and community members in solidarity and celebration.

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