Thousands of domestic abuse survivors have gotten a fresh start thanks to this charitable organization

CTV’s Krista Simpson speaks to a charity helping domestic abuse survivors get a fresh start.

Organizations that support victims of domestic abuse say their services are in high demand both before and after the holidays.

Shelter Movers is a national charity that offers free relocation and storage to survivors seeking a brand-new start.

“We’re removing as many barriers as we can,” explained Courtney Waterfall, director for the southwestern Ontario chapter.

Many of their clients struggle with the financial and emotional cost of moving on.

“It’s your family pictures; it’s your kids’ toys,” said volunteer Tara Ross. “When you’re thinking you have to start over with everything again, the trauma makes the mental part of it overwhelming.”

She knows first-hand how difficult and complicated it can be.

“I took my abuser back four times before it ended in [criminal] charges, and he was found guilty,” Ross shared with CTV News.

Shelter Movers said they’ve helped with 10,000 moves, in communities across Canada, over the last 10 years.

The southwestern Ontario chapter expects to cross the 1,000-mark sometime in January.

“In December, we completed 22 moves in and around Waterloo Region,” Waterfall said. “About 35 per cent of those being medium or high-risk, so requiring police or a security escort.”

The organization typically sees an uptick in demand for their services at this time of year.

“There’s the added stress and pressure of the holidays,” Waterfall explained. “Some of those financial pressures increase the rates of violence in homes. We also tend to see a lot of moves involving children happening around school break time. Over the holidays we see a lot of folks moving, so their kids can start fresh in the new year.”

Another organization that helps victims of domestic abuse, or intimate partner violence, is the Retail Therapy KW Thrift store in Kitchener, Ont. Not only can survivors shop for free, the store closes so they can browse in a calm and quiet environment.

Amanda Kroetsch, its founder and executive director, is a survivor and even created the Domestic Violence Victim’s Alliance to help others, like herself.

In December, Kroetsch and Shelter Movers responded with one especially urgent call.

“This particular one was from one of our referral sources, who had a client that was moving into their home days before Christmas with literally nothing. No bed. So, there would be an empty home,” Kroetsch recalled. “We were able to fast-track and deliver at least a mattress and kitchen essentials for the holidays.”

It makes a big impact, especially as the estimated cost to furnish a one-bedroom apartment is $8,000.

“The savings are substantial for someone who’s starting over,” Kroetsch said.

Retail Therapy KW Thrift offers everything from furniture to Christmas decorations and gifts for children.

“Being a survivor is not a punishable offence,” Kroetsch said. “We don’t believe that you should have to be forced into poverty for leaving a violent situation. We want to make sure they have really nice items to start over.”

Both organizations rely on community support in the form of donations, as well as volunteers. Shelter Movers said even $20 is enough to cover the cost of gas for one move.