Shelter Movers Ottawa is making strides to reach Leeds and Grenville county, providing crucial support for individuals fleeing intimate partner and family violence. This expansion marks a new stage in the Chapter’s mission to bring free moving and storage services to rural and outlying communities in the heart of Eastern Ontario.
Chapter Director Ray Eskritt, whose family has a deep-rooted history in social work, reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of this work. “I’m fighting the same fights my mother fought, and the same fights my grandmother fought, and it’s frustrating,” she shared in an interview with CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning. Yet, it is the support of the local volunteers and their collective efforts that fuel her determination. Shelter Movers operates on the belief that everyone deserves safety and a chance for a new beginning, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the Ottawa team.
From the Rideau Canal to the St. Lawrence River
The decision to expand to Leeds and Grenville was driven by the pressing need for intimate partner and family violence services in the 10 municipalities and three communities. Intimate partner violence rates in rural areas like Leeds and Grenville are 75% higher compared to urban settings. Not only that, the rural nature of these areas presents unique challenges and opportunities that make the barriers to accessing support services significantly pronounced. With resources and services centralized in larger towns like Brockville, many rural residents find themselves isolated and excluded from options for immediate help when they’re in crisis. Many survivors fear that local authorities, who may know their abuser, will not take their concerns seriously even if they did seek help.
Even when survivors muster the courage to seek help or leave, the process can be daunting. Service delivery is often fragmented and the cost of regional approaches overshadows the specific needs of each community. Rural life, with its strong community ties and traditional values, can also contribute to feelings of isolation and heightened risk. For example, religious teachings and local traditions, such as the presence of firearms, may inadvertently support harmful norms that reinforce an abuser’s power and control. The stigma surrounding intimate partner violence can be exacerbated in these settings, where conventional family roles may frame abuse as a private matter rather than a public concern.
With increased social isolation and a diminished sense of belonging still lingering post-pandemic, the traditional community connectors of each distinct rural area must be actively engaged in the creation of intimate partner and family violence solutions. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions and strong community engagement. Bringing services directly to those in need, reducing the cost and challenge of coordinating solutions, and building strong local partnerships are crucial.
The Challenges and Benefits of Rural Expansion
Although the gap in services in rural areas is well established, expanding into rural areas like Leeds and Grenville is not without its challenges for service providers either. One of the primary issues for Shelter Movers is the need for volunteers. To establish a robust presence, the Chapter is working to recruit approximately 20 dedicated volunteers local to Leeds and Grenville. Volunteers are essential for various roles, including drivers, movers, and coordinators. For many volunteers, the experience of helping someone in need is profoundly rewarding. When serving as a mover or driver for a survivor in their own community, volunteers get to see firsthand how a few hours of their time can be the key to unlocking a whole new life for their neighbor.
While Shelter Movers is already doing about one move a week in rural Eastern Ontario, the volunteers on those moves are often from Ottawa, limiting the distance a move can go. In order to meet survivors where they are, volunteers who live close to the community a survivor is already in greatly impact both the timeliness and frequency of moves that are possible.
Not only do volunteers provide practical assistance, but by dedicating their time and effort, they become a vital part of each community’s contribution to the creation of practical solutions. Expanding services helps combat the stigma and silence surrounding intimate partner and family violence in rural settings. It fosters a culture of openness and support, empowering survivors to seek help without fear of judgment or retaliation. Increased visibility of collaboration with services within the community can also drive community education and prevention efforts, reducing the incidence of violence by addressing it proactively.
Looking Ahead
The expansion of Shelter Movers into Leeds and Grenville is a testament to the organization’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left without support, regardless of their location. It highlights the importance of addressing the unique needs of rural communities and adapting services to fit those needs. Leeds and Grenville may be only an hour’s drive from Ottawa, but the communities are as unique as each client Shelter Movers serves.
Intimate partner and family violence occurs in distinctive ways and disproportionately high numbers in rural communities, requiring culturally responsive and trauma-informed initiatives to ensure survivors in these communities get solutions that are practical for their circumstances. Through focused expansion efforts that take the lead from local volunteers and community partners’ deep-rooted knowledge of community dynamics, Shelter Movers aims to provide these practical solutions. With each successful move in Leeds and Grenville, Shelter Movers Ottawa learns something new about helping survivors that will serve a future client in a unique rural area.
For Ray Eskritt and her team, the journey ahead is both challenging and rewarding. The hope is that through dedicated volunteers, innovative approaches, and strong community partnerships, Shelter Movers can make a significant difference in the lives of those in Leeds and Grenville. As Shelter Movers Ottawa continues to grow and evolve, the mission remains clear: to provide safety, dignity, and a fresh start for individuals fleeing intimate partner and family violence, no matter where they are.