WIN Cooperative sees 30% increase in program participants and expands programs to meet community needs
In 2021, in response to the increased demand for our essential programs, we have continued to innovate, stretch and expand our programs to meet community needs. In 2021, our empowerment programs for women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people supported over 2000 program participants. This is a 30% increase in the number of program participants compared to last year. To break it down even further, we have seen an 18% increase in Crisis and Referral Program participants, and a 45% increase in Gift Certificate Program participants. WIN was also able to provide emergency funding to double the number of people compared to last year. We have been able to expand our programs because of the strong support we receive from the wider community. We are deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, shoppers, donors, supporters and partner organizations who have helped to make this possible.
Our Program Coordinator Nicole Lapierre says “This has been a time of continuous stress and uncertainty for many in our community. We have seen through these challenging times how truly resilient our program participants are and how vital access to programs such as those offered by WIN are; programs which focus on removing barriers and supporting participants on their unique and individual journey to wellness and self-sufficiency.”
One of the areas of greatest growth has been in the expansion of WIN’s Gift Certificate Program. In this program, we partner with over 30 other local organizations so that their program participants can freely access the goods they need through a discreet and empowering shopping experience at WIN. We have long worked with local transition houses as well as with other organizations such as the Inter-cultural Association, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, Bridges for Women, the Burnside Gorge Community Association and many more. This year, we have also added 5 new partners to the program, further increasing access.
WIN’s program partner Saanich Neighbourhood Place had this to say about the impact of WIN’s Gift Certificate Program. “Gift certificates provide an opportunity for families to obtain the things they really need. What is so great is that they also get the gift of “choice”-they can select their own items and shop for themselves and their family with dignity and respect.”
-Jacquelin Green, Saanich Neighbourhood Place
As a self-sustaining organization, the revenue from our stores and online shop, together with financial donations, is used to fund our five empowerment programs, as well as to sustain our non-profit cooperative. We are so grateful to you, our wider community, for your strong and continued support of our mission.