New fund-raising event organized to help Nova Vita

Smaller fundraising events have become increasingly important to charities and non-profit organizations, Nova Vita’s special events and public education coordinator says.

“We have our bigger events like our golf tournament and they’re really important,” Jessica Powless said. “But the third-party fundraising – events that are done by individuals or groups to benefit the shelter – have become really important.

“They raise money but just as importantly they help us build connections in the community and raise awareness of what we do.”

Community or third-party events are also helpful because they generate much-needed funds without a huge time commitment from the benefiting organization, Powless said.

Powless cited an upcoming event – ​​Yoga In The Park – has a great example of third-part or community fund-raising.

The event is being organized by St. George’s Up Yoga and Wellness and takes place at Lions Park in Paris from 7 pm to 8 pm on Wednesdays, from June 7 to August 30. Up Yoga is operated by Rachel Senko-Strasser and Jill Ferras.

“They approached us and said they wanted to do something to help out the shelter and we came up with this idea of ​​offering yoga classes in the park,” Powless said. “It’s the kind of event that is a really good fit with Nova Vita because it brings people together and helps us build connections.

“It’s going to be a real hit because people love doing yoga in the park.”

Participants are asked to make a “pay what they can” donation with all proceeds being turned over to Nova Vita, Powless said.

The community development team at Nova Vita has a fundraising goal of $225,000 this year. The money comes from donations, sponsors, third-party events, special events including a golf tournament and proceeds generated by Closet Couture Boutique, a used clothing store.

“The other part of this is spreading awareness about the shelter and what we do,” Powless said. “I’ve been here for a couple of years now and I’m always amazed at how many people don’t know about Nova Vita.

“I think it’s because the community is growing and we have a lot of new people coming in who may not be aware of what we do.”

Nova Vita provides emergency shelter, outreach support and counseling to individuals and families experiencing abuse. It also provides counseling to individuals who have caused harm in their relationships.

The agency has a shelter at 55 North Park St. in Brantford and an outreach office in the Cowan Community Health Hub in Paris.

Powless said the demand for services provided by the shelter has increased to the point where it is operating at or above capacity much of the time.

Earlier this week there were 24 children in the shelter, all of whom need support including meals.

During the pandemic, the shelter started an online chat as well as a text message service to women looking for help. For the reporting year of 2021-2022, Nova Vita had received 4,845 calls looking for help with most – 4,513 – coming through the shelter’s 24-hour crisis line.

The balance – 332 connections – came by way of online chats and text messages.

Nova Vita’s crisis line is at 519-732-HELP (4357) and the chat line is at www.novavita.org/chat .

Powless said the number of calls the shelter receives for help is “staggering” and speaks to the demands for service.

“Whenever I see a call coming in on the crisis line, it breaks my heart because I know it’s another person out there who needs help,” Powless said. “On the flip side, they’re reaching out for help which is what we want them to do.

“We want to help and support them.”

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