Donate to The Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie

For over forty years the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, has been providing a safe and secure refuge for abused women and their children in Simcoe Community. While we do receive some government funding, it is not enough to take care of the more than thirty women and children who find themselves in our shelter each night. The cost for one woman to stay at the shelter is $47 a day; that number doubles if she has one child. Once a woman makes the difficult decision to leave her abuser, we stand with her and by her every step of the way.  We take care of her and her children as she starts a very difficult journey. Most times, women will show up at the shelter with only the clothes on their back; they leave behind everything.  The Barrie Shelter will take care of every single need, every bottle of shampoo, every pair of pajamas, every diaper, every meal & snack and so much more.

Your gift will leave an enduring legacy that will improve the lives of women and children in the community. Consider a tax-deductible donation on a monthly or annual basis; this will help us to continue to provide quality service to women and children in our community. You can personalize your gift and direct it to our Youth Programming, Legal Assistance, Health Families Food Mentorship or help with Shelter Me Second Stage Housing. If you would like to donate to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie by cash, credit card or cheque, you may either make an appointment to drop off the donation directly at the shelter at 705-792-2188 or email the details to donations@barrieshelter.com.

Become a Monthly Donor

Join this special group of supporters with your monthly donation today.

Perks

• Hassle-free monthly donations.
• Automatic donation payment from your credit or debit card.
• The knowledge that your donation is put to work immediately.
• Special shelter updates
• An annual statement provided for tax purposes.
• The ability to change or suspend your donation at any time.

Gift Cards

The women who come to our door come with a variety of complex needs. The shelter supports each woman individually meeting each need 100% despite cost or complexity. Gift cards are an essential piece to the shelter’s budget as it allows us to purchase what we need, when we need it.

We can meet multiple dietary needs, purchase cold medication during flu season, make those immediate personal care purchases, and in doing so give each woman back her power. Gift cards are not a hand out. They are a means to support and empower women in shelter as they work rebuild their lives.

In-Kind Donations

Due to health and safety regulations, we are only able to accept donations of new items directly at the shelter.

• Full sized toiletries: razors, shampoo, conditioner, body wash deodorants, toilet paper, tampons, baby wash etc.
• Food items: canned goods, dry food, milk, cheese, yogurt, meats, lunch items, school safe snacks, produce, pre-made dinner donations, baked goods
• Everyday items: new single and double sized bedding, pillows, towels, small household appliances, cleaning supplies, art supplies, etc.

Download our Wish List for a full list of essential items.

To arrange your In-Kind Donation:

Bequest

A charitable bequest is a gift in your Will that the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie receives after your death. Remembering someone in your will is a very personal and meaningful gift. Consult with Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie before establishing your bequest to ensure your wishes can be carried out as directed in your Will.

RRSP or RRIF

Insurance is one of the most flexible planned giving options available. You can make the Women & Children’s Shelter a beneficiary of your insurance policy or retirement fund. All or a portion of an RRSP and RRIF can be designated directly to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie for payment following your death. Assets can be transferred directly to the agency, providing savings on probate and other estate fees. It is also possible to make the RRIF or RRSP payable to your estate and to gift all or a portion to Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie as a bequest.

Life Insurance

By using life insurance, you can make a significant gift to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie with a minimal outlay of current savings or income. There are many ways that life insurance can be used to structure charitable gifts, but here are the two most popular:

You can donate a new or existing policy by transferring ownership to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie. Upon transfer, the agency will issue a charitable tax receipt for the cash surrender value. In addition, you will receive a charitable tax receipt for any premium payments you make following the transfer if the policy is not yet fully paid for. This gift is irrevocable and creates tax benefits for you during your lifetime. Therefore, your estate will not receive a charitable tax receipt when the policy proceeds are paid to the Women & Children’s Shelter after your death.

Alternatively, you can designate the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie as the beneficiary of a policy without transferring ownership of the policy. On your death, the agency will receive the policy proceeds and your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt. In this situation, your premium payments are not eligible for a charitable tax receipt. The policy proceeds will go directly to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie and will not be subject to probate and other estate fees. The beneficiary designation is revocable and can be changed at any time.

Stocks or Securities

Gifts of public shares or mutual funds are a tax effective way of giving if the securities have a capital gain and they are transferred directly to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie. Donating your stocks or securities can decrease your annual taxable income. The donor receives a charitable tax receipt for the full market value of the gifted securities, but for tax purposes none of the capital gain is included in the donor’s income.

Tribute or Memorial

When we lose someone we love we often want to honour their lives and their importance to us through a tribute or memorial in their name. Make a gift to the Women & Children’s Shelter in memory of a loved one or friend.

Gifts of Tangible Personal Property

Donors can make contributions to the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie through gifts of personal property. An independent appraisal by a qualified appraiser is required for gifts valued over $1,000. These gifts may be subject to special rules under the Income Tax Act. It is important to consult with the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie as well as your legal and tax advisors to assist you in making an appropriate gift.

Other Special Gifts

There are other types of gifts, such as real estate and private company shares and debt, all of which have special legal and tax considerations. It is important to consult with the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie as well as your legal and tax advisors to assist you in making an appropriate gift. Through the Support a Family Program, your gift provides food, shelter, counselling, social activities, and many other supports to meet the needs of a woman and her children while they are in the shelter. Or you can sponsor a child or youth who has witnessed or experienced violence in their home.