For many women, finding the courage—and resources—to leave an abusive relationship is a daunting task. But one volunteer-driven organization is hoping it can make the move easier for victims of domestic violence in Vancouver.
Founded in Toronto in 2016, Shelter Movers offers free moving and storage services for women and children fleeing households with domestic violence. The group partners with local women’s shelters and storage facilities, helping to relocate clients while ensuring they don’t have to leave behind clothing, furnishings, and important documents and mementos.
In two years, the nonprofit has completed over 300 moves in Toronto and Ottawa, and will be launching a Vancouver arm in September. “Women are on their own to make the decision to leave [an abusive relationship], to figure out the logistics and economics of getting out,” Brian Vidler, director of Shelter Movers Vancouver, tells the Straight by phone. “So that’s where we’re trying to fill that specific gap.”
A Vancouver-based engineer, Vidler decided to get involved with Shelter Movers after reading about the organization online last year, and seeing no comparable resources in the region. He says that, according to B.C. Housing, more than three women and two children move into a shelter or transition house every day in Vancouver, exemplifying a need for such a service.
Shelter Movers is partnering with shelters and transitional-housing facilities like the YWCA, the Atira Women’s Resource Society, and the Bloom Group, where it will support the women living in and moving into these sites.
For many women, finding the courage—and resources—to leave an abusive relationship is a daunting task. But one volunteer-driven organization is hoping it can make the move easier for victims of domestic violence in Vancouver.
Founded in Toronto in 2016, Shelter Movers offers free moving and storage services for women and children fleeing households with domestic violence. The group partners with local women’s shelters and storage facilities, helping to relocate clients while ensuring they don’t have to leave behind clothing, furnishings, and important documents and mementos.
In two years, the nonprofit has completed over 300 moves in Toronto and Ottawa, and will be launching a Vancouver arm in September. “Women are on their own to make the decision to leave [an abusive relationship], to figure out the logistics and economics of getting out,” Brian Vidler, director of Shelter Movers Vancouver, tells the Straight by phone. “So that’s where we’re trying to fill that specific gap.”
A Vancouver-based engineer, Vidler decided to get involved with Shelter Movers after reading about the organization online last year, and seeing no comparable resources in the region. He says that, according to B.C. Housing, more than three women and two children move into a shelter or transition house every day in Vancouver, exemplifying a need for such a service.
Shelter Movers is partnering with shelters and transitional-housing facilities like the YWCA, the Atira Women’s Resource Society, and the Bloom Group, where it will support the women living in and moving into these sites.