Our story is a story of hope. Like many Canadians, Marc Hull-Jacquin, Founder and Executive Director wanted to make a difference in his community. While on paternity leave with his three children in 2015, he heard about an organization in the U.S. that helped women move out of abusive homes. He discovered that Toronto, and all major cities across Canada didn’t have a service like this. He reached out to shelters to learn more about domestic violence and what’s most needed. He learned that women, children, and those in the LGBTQ+ community are especially affected by domestic violence. Concerned by the prevalence of violence against women in Canada, Marc was determined to play a role in the struggle to end it. Fast forward to April 2016, and Shelter Movers was born. We started by learning more about violence against women and domestic violence, building our team of volunteers, and helping those who need our services most in Toronto. Since then, we’ve expanded across the country, and built a team of dedicated and determined volunteers. These volunteers are the driving force behind our organization, and they’re the reason we’ve been able to help so many families safely relocate without losing treasured belongings. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, but it’s just the surface of what we aim to accomplish in Canada. There’s a great deal of people in difficult situations who are in need of support. There’s a need for raising awareness on the issues of violence against women and domestic violence. Simply put, there’s a lot of work to be done. At our core, we aim to remind survivors of their intrinsic worth, and the power they are reclaiming in their decision to leave an abusive relationship. At the end of the day, our story is made up of many stories, starting with those of survivors.