Royal LePage Night Light Walk shines light on domestic abuse across the country
TORONTO, October 24, 2024 – Tonight, 10 communities nationwide will join a movement of compassion and support as thousands gather for the second annual Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™ Night Light Walk, presented by TD. An estimated 2,400 participants will carry lights along a three-kilometer path, illuminating the city with a powerful message of hope for women and families affected by domestic abuse.
The need for support is critical. Every year in Canada, an estimated 360,000 children witness family violence.[1] In 2022, there were over 117,000 reports of intimate partner violence, and the rate of intimate partner violence was more than three times higher among women and girls.[2] Locally, this issue has reached crisis proportions. Between this year and last, 95 municipalities across Canada declared Intimate Partner Violence epidemics in their respective communities.[3]
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Night Light Walk, presented by TD, directly benefits a number of shelters across the country, connecting families and those in need with critical resources and support.
“As Canadians, in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, facing an epidemic with Intimate Partner Violence, we are compelled to act,” said Lisa Gibbs, Executive Director of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. “Welcoming these passionate communities to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Night Light Walk is incredibly tangible, and frankly necessary for our shelter partners, providing life-saving services, in this time of crisis. In addition, this event underscores Royal LePage’s unwavering commitment to this cause, shining a light on the need for continued advocacy and support. We’re thankful to all of our local realtors, shelter representatives, and our presenting sponsor, TD Bank, and to Make Space Storage for their tireless efforts to raise funds and awareness for such an important cause.”
Second stage housing services supported by the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Night Light Walk, presented by TD, offer safe haven, counseling, legal advocacy, and essential resources to help rebuild lives. The event plays a crucial role in ensuring these critical services can continue. The event is a powerful evening of solidarity and support. The route, lined with local residents and businesses displaying lights, will create a visible chain of compassion. An opening ceremony will offer inspiring words from charitable partner representatives and community leaders, accompanied by music and reflection.
“This night in October is about more than just a step towards awareness of the domestic violence realities women face in this country. It’s also about raising hope and necessary funds to help change the lives of those who need our support,” said said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. “As we come together to illuminate the path forward for local women’s shelters and those who rely on their critical services, each light we carry symbolizes our stand against abuse, and our dedication to supporting the women and children seeking safety on their journey to healing and recovery. By uniting in this cause, we can drive meaningful change and bring hope to countless individuals and families.”
To date, more than $46 million has been raised by the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation for emergency shelters and second stage/transitional housing supports with more donations expected over the coming days.
To help shine a light on the path to ending domestic violence and abuse:
- Register and Fundraise: Sign up online and commit to raising a minimum of $50 and a youth fundraising minimum of $25. Every dollar makes a difference.
- Participating cities: Belleville, Burlington, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor, Halifax, Grande Prairie, North Vancouver, Victoria
- Light the way: Visit here to join a city near you in tonight’s Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Night Light Walk presented by TD.
- Spread the Word: Encourage friends, family and colleagues to join you in making a difference. Share the event on social media using the hashtag #NightLightWalk.
- Learn more: You can learn more about the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation here.
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is grateful to all the sponsors helping make this important event happen, including presenting sponsor TD Bank, route sponsor Make Space Storage, and Hill & Knowlton for helping spread this important message.
About the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
Since its founding in 1998, the Royal LePage® Shelter FoundationTM has proudly grown to become the largest public foundation in Canada dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company with its own charitable foundation. The Shelter Foundation has raised more than $46 million to-date and currently supports 200 local women’s shelters and national partners. Agents donate a portion of their commissions, and Royal LePage offices across Canada host local fundraising events such as the Night Light Walk. Every dollar raised goes directly to helping the more than 50,000 women and children who are served each year by the shelters and support programs we fund.
All media inquiries can be directed to:
Ruqayyah Mohammed
Hill & Knowlton on behalf of Royal LePage
ruqayyah.mohammed@hillandknowlton.com
[1] Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2009, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada, page 12.
[2] Trends in police-reported family violence and intimate partner violence in Canada, 2020, Statistics Canada, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231121/dq231121b-eng.htm
[3] BuildingABiggerWave.org, 2024, https://www.buildingabiggerwave.org/actions/gbv-epidemic
