Armagh Expansion of Transitional Housing: $10 Million Rebuilding Lives Capital Campaign Launch
Peel, Ontario — For 31 years, Armagh has been a safe haven for women, with or without children, fleeing abusive relationships. We have empowered thousands of women and children to heal and rebuild their lives free from violence.
Crisis shelters provide immediate safety and support. Armagh is the bridge to help women and their children move towards independent living in the community. As the only second stage supportive housing program in all of Peel Region, we are always at maximum occupancy – and are forced to turn away more women and children than we are able to help.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse. The World Health Organization calls the urgent crisis of domestic violence a “shadow pandemic” – one of social isolation where women and children are in desperate need of safety as the violence at home increases.
To meet the urgent need for safe, supportive housing in our community, Armagh has embarked on an ambitious $10 million expansion project to:
· More than double our capacity to 35,000 square feet;
· Add purpose-built child & youth spaces;
· Create a tranquil courtyard for reflection, healing and family gatherings;
· Double our supportive programming to help many more women and children fleeing violence; and
· Be completed by December 2022.
Today, May 26th (Armagh’s anniversary), is the official launch of our $10 million Rebuilding Lives fundraising campaign. All three levels of government are behind our expansion project with a collective $8.8 million commitment – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative; the Region of Peel and the City of Mississauga; and close to another $1 million has been raised from small group of our generous donors. We are 80% of the way to our fundraising goal but now urgently need you, our Peel community, to help us raise the remaining $250,000.
Armagh, board member and Rebuilding Lives Campaign Chair, Chris Taves, deeply believes in the work that we do at Armagh. Chris along with his wife Toni, have made the lead gift to the Campaign and have graciously offered to use it to match all incoming donations for our expansion project, up to $250,000. He hopes this donation matching initiative will inspire others to donate to help the women and children in our community live lives free from violence.
Quotes:
“We are a small agency, and everyone here at Armagh is aware that this expansion is bigger than all of us. Every dollar donated and every brick laid will have impact for generations to come. The number of women and children whose lives will be changed as a result of this expansion are immeasurable. This expansion will allow for even more individuals to break the cycle of violence, which I believe every person should be provided the opportunity to do. This is what Rebuilding Lives is all about.” – Jannies Le, Executive Director Armagh
“Armagh is a special place. It provides women and their families safety, security, and hope to rebuild their lives.” – Chris Taves, Board Member Armagh
“We are so excited to launch this community phase of our fundraising campaign for our expansion project that will help with the new facility currently under construction. This $10 million project will double the capacity of Armagh allowing us to provide housing and essential support programs to help more women and children fleeing domestic violence. Last year we embarked on the most ambitious goal in Armagh’s history and are so grateful to all levels of government for their funding and support as well as to our corporate and private donors. The generosity and compassion of our community never ceases to amaze me and with your help, I am confident we will raise the remaining $250k.” – Rashmi Khosla, President Armagh
“We have support from all levels of government, municipal, provincial, and federal. Additionally, the community recognizes how important it is that this particularly project goes forward.” –Sven Spengemann, Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Lakeshore
Quick Facts:
· The “shadow pandemic” has increased the need for safe and affordable housing.
· 3 out of 5 of the most frequent incidents reported to Peel Regional Police are family and intimate partner violence-related.
· The number of women in Peel who received counselling services to deal with violence increased by 51%.
· Two in five people murdered in Peel Region were killed in domestic violence incidents.
· The number of women who have requested and received transitional and housing support has increased by 65%.
· Armagh is the only 2nd stage supportive housing program serving 1.5 million residents in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
· $10 million to grow to a 35,0000 square foot facility, expanding affordable housing and supportive programming for women and children fleeing violence.
· Chris and Toni Taves will be matching up to $250,000; doubling the impact of all new donations to Armagh’s Rebuilding Lives Campaign.
For more information visit www.armaghhouse.ca, or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Interviews with Jannies Le, Executive Director and Chris Taves, Board Member and Campaign Chair can be arranged.
Media Contacts:
Christie Reyna
Community Development Coordinator