Agape House will be the next local organization supported through the KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ.
Lisa Fast, Outreach and Housing Counsellor, says Agape House is a safe shelter that provides resources, information, and advocacy to those who are experiencing intimate partner violence and need support.
“There are shelter services for those that are needing emergency shelter. We provide counselling and community counselling. We provide groups, public education and also just other in-shelter services as well.”
Fast says the need in the community continues to grow, and many are surprised by just how great the demand is.
“Just from this year already, from January to June, we provided 1,042 bed nights for adults and provided 329 children bed nights, so that is already a 31% increase from the same time last year and already last year, I think we were talking about how like these are the biggest numbers we've seen in 10 years. So, we're already 30% higher than last year.”
While they’re grateful to be a lifeline for so many, Fast says capacity is an ongoing challenge.
“There are 10 provincial shelters in the province that all work closely together to support the clients. And we've been working closely together to make sure that if we don't have space in our shelter, that someone can go and stay at a different shelter until space becomes available. But it's been quite a struggle because all the shelters in the province have been full for like the past six months, and it's become very difficult to find space.”
Fast says the KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ is a wonderful opportunity to raise both funds and awareness for their organization, adding that being part of the event means a great deal to them.
“We're continuously inspired by our incredible community that are always showing up for us and supporting our mission. Also, a huge thank you to our matching sponsors for this year. We have Three-Way Builders, Hello Taxi, Shinkel Properties, we have La Broquerie Rona and Red River Group for matching sponsors this year.”
Fast says donations raised will have double the impact thanks to these sponsors.
All proceeds from the BBQ will go directly to supporting individuals rebuilding their lives after abuse, whether through direct services or essential activities that help sustain their cause.
“This year, funds raised will support a new tent for our Teddy Bear Fun Day, helping us host one of our most meaningful family events. We are looking for an updated dining room table to have a special place for connection and healing for our participants, and additional funds will go towards critical programs and operational needs, especially where government funding falls short.”
While a new dining room table may seem like a small purchase, it holds significant meaning for residents at Agape House.
“That's where clients are able to sit down with each other, share a meal and have that connection, and it's become quite a great spot for our clients to connect, and we're just hoping to improve the space and update the table too.”
Overall, the support from the BBQ helps the shelter expand and strengthen their work.
“We're able to provide more programming, more training for our staff, more resources and better just equipped us to support the clients that we see, especially when we see a lot of different concerns come to with domestic violence, like mental health, addictions are also a huge part that comes in. The funds will go directly to help us better support those clients.”
You can learn more about Agape House at the KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ on Wednesday, July 23. Join the event outside Steinbach Credit Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is available with a minimum donation of $2.00, with all proceeds going to Agape House.
Local Crisis Line: (204) 346-0028
Provincial Crisis Line: 1-877-977-0007
With files from Carly Koop
@steinbach_online Lisa Fast tells us how you can support #AgapeHouse at the next #KPMGTasteofSummerCharityBBQ ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline