Kindred Spirits: A Community United in Compassion
Over the holiday season, a dedicated community group, Kindred Spirits, comprised of over 275 volunteers of women, men and their families, led an inspiring campaign to support YWCA Toronto’s 1st Stop Woodlawn Shelter. 1st Stop Woodlawn is a shelter dedicated to supporting women experiencing homelessness and/or fleeing violence.
Through their 2024 Opportunity for Giving Holiday Season campaign, Kindred Spirits raised over $41,000 in financial donations and collected much needed essential items for the residents at YWCA Toronto’s 1st Stop Woodlawn Shelter. This campaign came to fruition after Faith Feingold, Head of Major Gifts and Dominique Boivin, Associate Manager of 1st Stop Woodlawn provided members of Kindred Spirits with a tour of the shelter.
We reached out to Janet Purcell and Dana Lamb, from Kindred Spirits, for their thoughts, experiences, and reflections on the 2024 Opportunity for Giving campaign. This is what they shared:
In the fall of 2020, Kindred Spirits was born from a desire to make a difference. What started as a small volunteer initiative has grown into a powerful force of generosity, united by the mission of supporting those in our city facing homelessness. Since then, the Kindred Spirits community has donated over 11,000 essential items, including warm winter clothing, bedding, toiletries, personal items, and non-perishable food. In addition, Kindred Spirits has raised nearly $300,000 to support shelters across Toronto. Kindred Spirits is about connection, compassion, and the belief that we can create a world where no one feels forgotten or alone. Together, with the support of YWCA Toronto our community is stronger.
During the 2024 Kindred Spirits Opportunity for Giving for the 2024 Holiday Season campaign, more than 285 community members and their families came together to raise vital funds and awareness of YWCA Toronto’s 1st Stop Woodlawn Shelter. Kindred Spirits chose to support this shelter after witnessing and being inspired by the vital work and unwavering support provided to women and gender diverse individuals in need at YWCA Toronto.
When asked about the campaign’s impact on our programs, Dominque Boivin, Associate Manager of 1st Stop Woodlawn Shelter, had this to say:
The household items provided will greatly assist our residents as they transition from shelter to their own home. Basic items like sheets, towels, and shower curtains that you have provided help our participants settle into their new home. At YWCA Toronto, we are also grateful for the gift cards and full-size toiletries, which will make an immediate and lasting impact on their well-being.
YWCA Toronto extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Kindred Spirits community for all of their support; thank you for uniting with us, so that we can continue to be a source of light and hope in our city for women, girls and gender diverse people.
Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of women, girls and gender diverse individuals? Learn how to get involved by volunteering for and/or donating to YWCA Toronto.