Three shelter-related charities have been selected as the beneficiaries of our member fundraising efforts for the REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive during 2024-25 – Aunt Leah’s Society, New Westminster; Elizabeth Fry Society, New Westminster; Sage House (North Shore Crisis Services Society), North Vancouver.

Two of the charities help women and children fleeing from violence at home, and the third assists women within the criminal justice system.

Member fundraising includes:

• online charity fundraising during the Blanket Drive each November
• proceeds from ticket sales to the Vancouver home shows
•  proceeds from each REALTORS Care® calendar sold
• donations from member events

Each year, the REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive selects and fundraises for three shelter-related charities within the GVR area.

REALTORS® have fundraised almost $500,000 for 23 charities (some more than once) since the program began in 2009.

We’ve previously partnered with Aunt Leah’s with financial donations as well as members and staff volunteering to sell Christmas trees.

Aunt Leah’s helps prevent children leaving foster care from becoming homeless and vulnerable young mothers from losing custody of their children. Charity Intelligence has rated them an A+ charity.

We’re fundraising for their Thresholds Supportive Housing Program. The program assists young, low-income women at risk of losing their children. Services include housing and life skills support in a safe environment as they rebuild their lives from crisis to self-sufficiency.

Established in our area 85 years ago, EFry is a new partner with the Shelter Drive. Previously associated for their work with women in prison, they now mostly provide women, some of whom are mothers, the opportunity to address the factors that led them into the criminal justice system and aim to provide community alternatives to incarceration.

We’re fundraising for their three temporary homes that provide shelter and programs to assist women with their immediate crisis needs, future housing plans, and skills to ensure their success and, in some cases, prevent re-offending. 

Another first-time partner with the Shelter Drive is Sage House, an 18-bed home for women and children in crisis escaping abuse at home. Women are provided with a safe environment, clothes, food, personal items, and support programs.

We’re fundraising for the continuity of programs provided for these women and children. This includes research and advocacy for counselling, legal advice, benefits, education, and also the maintenance of security and safety provisions.