EastTO Community

EAST TO Community

During the pandemic, Shelter Movers, a volunteer-powered organization, has adapted to a staggering increase in demand for their services.

Pre-pandemic, they provided free moving and storage services to roughly 51 families fleeing abuse each month. They now move more than 90 families monthly. They also expanded their service to offer restaurant-quality meal delivery to women and children in shelters during the city-wide lockdowns.

We spoke with Shelter Movers founder, and fellow east-ender, Marc HullJacquin about what inspired him to start Shelter Movers, the organization’s astounding growth, and what we as eastsiders can do to support activism against genderbased violence.

Why do you think gender-based violence persists in Canada?

“I don’t purport to be an expert on the topic; but in my experience, I’ve come to believe that helping women and children fleeing abuse is really a statement about the neglect that society has shown to the experience of women. Those in positions of power tend to either be ignorant to the problem of gender-based violence or willfully blind. Men do continue to occupy most positions of power in society and many do not take their responsibility as allies seriously enough.

Many men may not even realize that they have a responsibility to participate in ending gender-based violence. Gender based violence is not a women’s issue. Men have to change for gender based violence to change. Women can (and do) reform and organize and assemble. But the problem and solution lies with men.”

What inspired you to start Shelter Movers?

“While on parental leave with my daughter in 2016 I began doing research on gender-based violence, and felt compelled by the experience of families in Toronto who were experiencing abuse. As a father of three, I felt strongly that every parent should have the ability to give their child a safe and loving place to live.

I saw the potential for a practical service I could provide to help survivors escape violent homes with losing their belongings, or their dignity.

Shelters and services exist across Toronto for survivors of domestic violence, but what if survivors are unable to access these services or can’t escape their violent homes? Most survivors risk losing everything they own to leave their abuser. They face the unacceptable choice of falling into absolute poverty or staying in a violent home.”

What can Torontonians do to support activism against gender based violence?

“Learning would be number one – especially through volunteering. I always urge people to volunteer for just one move with us; once you meet the client and her kids, it’s almost impossible not to want to do it again. Ending gender-based violence is about educating ourselves and exposing ourselves to a small portion of the reality that survivors live with every day. I think many people have the misconception that there’s nothing they can do because they don’t have enough to contribute. But we all have a role to play in ending gender based violence and that begins with listening to what survivors are asking of us and having the courage to step up and make it happen.”

More than 66,000 calls were made to the Assaulted Women’s Helpline in Toronto between March and September alone.

This year, The Richards Group participated in the inaugural Shelter Movers Cross Canada Challenge, with our community raising $1825. We’re thrilled to donate an additional $10,000 on behalf of our clients, as a thank you for trusting us with their move.

Find out more about Shelter Movers: sheltermovers.com @sheltermovers