A women’s transition house in Labrador City got a $25,000 donation from Rio Tinto, the parent company of the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC), as part of more than $350,000 in donations the company gave to women’s shelters and organizations across Canada.
The donations are part of the of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence and were announced Wednesday, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Hope Haven, a women’s transition house that provides confidential, safe emergency shelter to women, with and without children, who are experiencing violence or abuse, is receiving the funding in Labrador City.
Nicole Young, executive director of the shelter, said the donation will help support programs and initiatives, and they appreciate IOC’s continued support for the work they do.
“Hope Haven and IOC have a long-standing community partnership,” Young stated in a news release. “Throughout the years IOC has contributed to and supported many of Hope Haven’s initiatives to create a safer community, both financially or through many in-kind donations or services.”
In April, IOC announced it would provide alternative housing support to Hope Haven if women and children affected by COVID-19 would need a secure refuge to self-isolate.
The other organizations that received donations are also in communities where Rio Tinto operates in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Quebec.
Evan Careen reports on Labrador affairs.
