Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™, the charitable arm of Shoppers Drug Mart®, with a two-year, $300,000 grant supporting national initiatives to strengthen Canada’s shelter system and advance health equity for women experiencing gender-based violence.
This renewed commitment builds on a longstanding partnership between WSC and Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™, which has provided and committed over $1.4 million since 2020, with contributions extending through 2026, to support shelters across the country improve local engagement, share knowledge, and deliver stronger supports for women and children fleeing violence.
This new funding will empower shelters to strengthen their local partnerships, especially during Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health’s Giving Shelter campaign, currently running now until October 3, raising critical funds for women’s shelters and programs across the country. These efforts will help shelters connect with their communities and raise awareness of gender-based violence. The project will make valuable information available on how to recognize the signs of violence, where to go for help, and how to support those in need, ultimately reaching people in workplaces and communities across the country.
“We are deeply grateful to Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health for their continued leadership and trust,” said Anuradha Dugal, Executive Director, Women’s Shelters Canada. “This renewed support helps us reach new audiences through workplaces and communities, ensuring survivors of violence get the support they need when they need it most.”
“Our commitment to Women’s Shelters Canada is rooted in a shared vision: to strengthen the shelter system across Canada and empower women to live free from violence,” says Paulette Minard, director, community investment, for Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health. “We deeply understand the pervasive and devastating health impacts that violence against women inflicts. This partnership is crucial for providing not just immediate safety, but also the long-term support and care necessary for women to heal, thrive, and reclaim their futures.”
Since 2020, Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health has partnered with WSC to support shelters and programs across the country. Their funding has helped everything from donations to rural and remote shelters, to a Community of Practice on harm reduction, and programs like the Shelter Ready Fund, which has provided direct grants to 54 shelters across the country to address urgent needs. Based on shelter reports, these investments have directly supported more than 6,000 women and children fleeing violence, with ripple effects benefiting over 11,000 community members. Together, WSC and Shoppers are strengthening shelters, advancing health equity and raising awareness of the deep connections between gender-based violence and women’s health.
About Women’s Shelters Canada
Women’s Shelters Canada brings together 16 provincial and territorial shelter organizations and supports the over 600 shelters across the country for women and children fleeing violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can find your nearest women’s shelter and its crisis line on www.sheltersafe.ca.
About Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health
Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health – the charitable arm of Shoppers Drug Mart® – is committed to helping Canadian women lead healthier lives, by making care more equitable and accessible. The Foundation will invest $50M by 2026 to address some of the most pressing health inequities facing women, including lack of representation in health research, barriers to accessing mental healthcare, and the urgent consequences women disproportionately face due to poverty and domestic violence. Learn more at shoppersfoundation.ca.