4 Decades, 4 Causes

This year marks ZIW’s 40th anniversary. In staying true to one of our primary core values – giving back - we honoured each of our four decades with a donation of $40,000 split between 4 different causes within our London community.  These donations were focused on organizations that provide individuals and families with a hand-up to assist them with poverty and /or financial literacy. These causes included Atlohsa's Zhaawanong 24-hour emergency women’s shelter, Circle's London, Joan's Place, and Pathway's Advocacy Department.

We are incredibly fortunate to be in a position to support these amazing causes!

Atlohsa Family Healing Services

Atlohsa was founded in 1986, as an outgrowth of a Needs Assessment Survey, which indicated a severe need for family violence services catered specifically to First Nations communities to promote the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of First Nations women, men and children. Today, Atlohsa’s services include holistic wellness, emergency shelters, transitional support, anti-human trafficking programs, youth programs, supportive housing, winter response programs, and so much more!

Our donation will be applied to their Zhaawanong 24-hour emergency women’s shelter, which is an Indigenous-led shelter and support for First Nations women and their children who are at risk of violence, abuse, and/or homelessness. For the women and children that stay at Zhaawanong, it isn’t a shelter or even a house… it’s a home. A place that, for many, represents the first time they’ve ever felt a sense of safety and belonging.

Circles London

Circles London is a community initiative coordinated by Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes that supports individuals experiencing poverty and accessing Ontario Works to focus on life stabilization and set a pathway toward economic sustainability.

They use a transformational approach to ending poverty one family at a time. London has four operating Circle groups that meet weekly for a meal, learning, and mutual support. Each participant has the goal of economic self-sufficiency and works collaboratively with community volunteers who are further along in their careers who help them meet their goals.

Together, they work to remove complex systematic barriers that continue the cycle of poverty for many Londoners. 

Joan’s Place

Home is a place of safety and security; a place where you can learn and grow. Joan’s Place will be exactly that - a safe and affordable home for youth, young mothers, and mothers-to-be who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The vision of Joan’s Place is to help young people escape homelessness and create a new cycle, for themselves and their young families. With a wraparound model of care, their new downtown hub will allow youth to be exactly that: young people — learning, gaining experience, and growing. In addition to providing housing, Joan’s Place will bring together dozens of local organizations that offer youth primary and mental health care, addiction services, education, employment, and housing supports in an innovative Youth Wellness Hub, ensuring young people can access the key services they need at the most vulnerable time of their lives, and as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Pathways

Pathways is an organization that helps employers develop their workforce, assists individuals to prepare to re-enter the job market, creates employment opportunities through social enterprise, and advocates for eligible individuals to access social benefits.

Our donation will be applied to Pathways' Advocacy department, which is a division that assists individuals who have had their ODSP applications denied. Their paralegals help put together the appeal applications, gather the necessary documentation, and present before the tribunal. Each year, they are successful in finding millions of dollars of financial support for their clients over the course of their time on assistance. No fees are ever charged to the clients. Our donation will help them continue to provide this important service and cover the cost of wages, software, and overheads for the department.