Making it to Safety: The Shelter Movers Ottawa and Atlético Ottawa Partnership
by Bryce Crossman
On April 25th, Atlético Ottawa showed off the latest in a line of kits for a cause with the ‘Making it to Safety’ jersey as part of a partnership with Shelter Movers Ottawa. This season's new bright purple third jersey features images drawn by children staying in shelters, showing what family means to them. Atlético Ottawa will be wearing these jerseys for their "Mother's Day Game" on May 6 against Pacific FC and will be auctioning off the match-worn kits in an online auction to raise money for Shelter Movers Ottawa. Additionally, for the first time, jerseys of this type are also available for sale in the Atlético Ottawa shop, with $10 from each sale going directly to Shelter Movers Ottawa. You can pre-order yours here to help raise awareness and support a vital organization in our community.
One in four women will face some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. During the jersey release event Wendy Mitchell, the Ottawa chapter director of Shelter Movers, shared information about various ways some women suffer from gender based abuse and how their organization is helping those individuals. Shelter Movers provides a service that is desperately needed, as many women don't have the means to leave the abusive situations that they are trapped in. They need support, which Shelter Movers is eager to provide. Shelters are always full in Ottawa, so finding another place to stay can be incredibly difficult, especially on very short notice or in the middle of the night. Shelter Movers help those who experience abuse move forward, no matter their level of risk.
This isn’t the first time that the club has partnered with this important organization. Last season, our captain Drew Beckie began volunteering with the organization and, along with other staff and players, helped facilitate a low-risk move for a family in need. Also in 2022, Zachary Roy and Ballou Tabla attended the Shelter Movers Gala “Moving Stories,” hosting an immersive exhibit where attendees were invited to draw what home means to them. This exposure and visibility is vital to the work Shelter Movers do, as it increases their ability to secure grants and donations to keep families safe. This kind of support is made all the more important given the scale of their operations, as they handle an average of 4-5 moves per week, with the average cost of each being around $200.
As a supporters group, we are incredibly proud of these partnerships, as they help use the passion and attention that we put into football to support the community that we live in. We are very happy to support the club and Shelter Movers Ottawa in making Ottawa a better and safer place for everyone.
Shelter Movers is always looking for volunteers, both in-person and remote. Volunteers are needed for intake and coordination, gathering safety and logistical information, and coordinating resources for each unique situation. Volunteers are also needed to perform the moves, help with events, and raise funds so these services can be provided to those who need them at no cost.
Here are some other opportunities if you are looking for more ways to help Shelter Movers:
- Online Mother's Day Auction happening now here
- Special performance at the Ottawa Little Theatre in June 4 2023 (details)
- "Connecting Possibilities" Event on September 21 at the Westin
For more information about how you can help, please visit Shelter Movers.
