As a Realtor, DiAnne Masson-Yensen has always looked for ways to support the many women and children caught in the web of domestic violence. As a top 1% contributor to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, an organization which provides funding to local women’s shelters, DiAnne discovered that more was needed. Her team regularly had clients who were moving and had furniture and other possessions they could donate to women leaving shelters into a new space. When the team started to get more involved, it realized that transportation was a big issue – so it arranged a truck and the moving – but was surprised to find a lack of structure and assistance for those leaving shelter life.
After leaving Royal LePage the team rebranded with a focus on wanting to have a greater impact on their local community. To help people find the right space, while also committing to helping women (or men) find a safe home. Impact Ottawa Real Estate Team comes to life. The team loved meeting people within their community, eventually, they met Wendy, the current Chapter Director of Shelter Movers Ottawa.
After learning more about our organization, DiAnne joined Shelter Movers Ottawa and volunteered with some moves where she learned first hand the Impact Shelter Movers has on local women and their children. She appreciated that it was well structured, and well organized with training and logistics all in place. She was particularly touched by being able to directly help survivors, with one survivor saying to DiAnne while on a move, “If I’d known you were there, I would’ve left sooner.”
Now, Impact Ottawa Real Estate Team is an ongoing partner of Shelter Movers Ottawa. As Realtors, they regularly work with people in our community when finding a home. Now, they can further their impact by ensuring others that if and when home is no longer a safe space to be, there are resources available to help them.
With every listing and purchase that the Impact assists with, the team donates a portion of its commissions. This financial support allows us to continue our work and brings further awareness to our organization, allowing us to continue to work together and have an even bigger impact on our community.
Learn more about Impact Ottawa Real Estate on their website. If you’re interested in making an impact in your community, check out our volunteer opportunities.