Netflix series Maid sheds light on the need for local organizations that support those leaving abusive relationships.
The Netflix series Maid sheds light on the need for local organizations, and participant focused programs, that support those facing poverty and leaving abusive relationships.
The series, based on Stephanie Land’s best-seller ‘Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive’ depicts the moving story of a single mom struggling to gain independence after leaving an abusive relationship, and the emotional and practical challenges she faces to find housing and supports for herself and her daughter. It’s also an inspiring story about strength and resilience, as well as the power of community.
We became acquainted with the production when it was wrapping up because some set furniture and décor items were generously donated to WIN. Local business, The Housse, who had been working with production during filming, played an instrumental role in connecting us with them so that we could receive their generous donation. The Housse have been very supportive of our New Start Program throughout 2021, and this is just one example of how they have continued to help us succeed in providing our programs throughout this challenging year.
Our Community Liaison Coordinator Sierra had this to say about the donation “We've seen an increase in the need for our services throughout the pandemic, so to have MAID shed light on this subject, may just help bring support to organizations like ours when we need it most.”
Our Marketing, Design & Partnership Coordinator Kate was recently interviewed on CFAX and offered this insight about Maid, “I think that MAID helps bring real people’s stories into homes in our community, and in that way, I think it helps build community awareness in two aspects. Firstly, it helps people understand the unique experiences of people who are struggling which in turn reduces the judgement of those who are struggling. Viewers might understand why people in crisis might end up needing the help of non-profits such as WIN. Secondly, it helps the audience open their eyes to see what non-profits in their community are doing, and the importance that their donations, big and small, can make in the lives of people like Alex’s character.”
You can hear the full interview here:
The series did an excellent job of shedding light on the difficulties people face when trying to furnish a home after leaving an abusive relationship with nothing. Alex is left to put a lot of effort into finding the items she needs to make her new home feel homey, warm and welcoming for herself and her daughter. Our New Start program was created from this need and offers women leaving local transition houses, the opportunity to receive all the essentials to create a home so that they can put their energy into embarking on other parts of their journey as they work towards self sufficiency and wellness. It’s through generous donations that we are able to offer our essential programs and the series does such a great job of showing the power of support and community, and people’s willingness to help.
Another of our programs, our Gift Certificate Program, is designed to help program participants from over 20 local community organizations access the goods that they need through a discreet shopping experience. While donations like the one from Maid can go directly to program participants, all donations made to WIN are crucial to our being able to fund our organization and continue to provide all of our programs, including our Crisis and Referral Program, Self Sufficiency and Transformations Programs. These programs provide women, trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit people with practical and empowering support along their own unique journey between crisis, self-sufficiency and wellness. Our programs are designed to be free of judgment, simple to access, and, very importantly, informed by the wisdom of program participants themselves. We aim to meet them where they are in that journey and help them access what they need as they progress along it.
One of the things that resonated for us in watching Maid character Alex’s story unfold was her courage, tenacity and strength. Her character comes up against many obstacles and keeps moving towards her dreams. Our Program coordinator Nicole says “It truly takes resilience and determination when navigating between crisis and self-sufficiency. As shown in Maid, even with having some family and community supports in place, there are still many barriers one will face when leaving an unhealthy environment and or processing/healing trauma. Our programs focus on empowering our participants to set their own path and to have the freedom to decide what is most important to them as they navigate towards a space of wellness and to be able to give themselves and their families a better life”.
If watching the series, or reading this, inspires you to do more to support women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people in our community, please consider participating in our Community Cheer Campaign which you can learn more about it here: www.womeninneed.ca/cheer
Photograph: Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix