NSCSS Announces 2023 Gala of Grace Fundraising Results
2023 Gala of Grace raised $149,000 – highest gross revenue recorded in Gala of Grace history!
[North Vancouver, BC]: North Shore Crisis Services Society (“NSCSS” or “SAGE Transition House”) today unveiled the results from this year’s annual Gala of Grace Presented by BlueShore Financial (“Gala”), which was hosted on April 28th, 2023.
Patricia Kelly, Gala of Grace Director, stated: “Not only did this year’s Gala surpass our fundraising goal, but it also provided a platform for women in our community to open up about the reality of domestic abuse… It gave us the opportunity to make a promise to support and be there for each other. It was a very powerful event.”
“It was remarkable to see all these amazing people band together for the women and children we support every day,” said Sandra Lee, Manager of Communications and Development, NSCSS. “Year after year, the Gala of Grace committee dedicates countless hours to recreate this unique and powerful feminist space. The atmosphere is palpable; it’s a catalyst for real positive change. We remain deeply humbled by our community’s unwavering support and commitment to the cause, especially as demand for our services continue to climb.”
At the event, we dedicated a heartfelt moment to honour Janet Wynne-Edwards, dear sister of the Gala of Grace, former NSCSS Board Member, and namesake of our newest Second Stage Housing Program, “Janet’s Place”. From NSCSS’ speech:
“Janet was a loving mother, partner, and friend. She was a brilliant librarian with iconic glasses. She cared deeply about her work and the people around her, and it was clear that people felt loved and safe in her presence. Janet, as a former board member, played an important part in developing our safe housing programs. I interviewed my colleagues about Janet for this speech… I asked if they thought our safe homes felt like Janet. They all said, ‘Yes, they do.’
Janet, like remarkable women before her, changed the geography of the North Shore. As clients have told us, upon their arrival, they would feel a giant weight off their shoulders; they can breathe again; they feel a sense belonging and community again; people believe in them and they in turn begin to believe in themselves again.
You are the reason why thousands of people in our community know what it means to refuse violence and opt for humanity instead.”
The Gala of Grace Committee includes a powerhouse of strong female figures from the North Shore, including Director Patricia Kelly, Brie Kelly, Carrie Barlow, Claire Hope, Kate Sidi, Kristie Ritter, Jennifer Parente, Mena Parente, Patti Parente, and Yavanna Arnold.
Influential female voices at the Gala also included Keynote Speakers Jen Murtagh and Mary-Jo Dionne, Emcee Yvonne Schalle of Global News, Crystal Campbell of Vancouver Auctioneers, and musical performer Amanda Wood.
Thank you, Gala of Grace Sponsors: Our Presenting Sponsor, BlueShore Financial; If Communications, Watson Goepel, GlobalBC CMSI Pacific, Westmount West, St. Hubertus Oak Bay Estate Winery, Quay North Urban Development, Barlow Media, Herschel Supply Co., Hillberg & Berk, North Shore law, WestJet Airlines, SmartSweets, Adera Development, Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, Duchess, Wize Tea, Allcard, and more. Full list of Gala of Grace supporters has been linked here.
Funds from the Gala of Grace will advance safe housing and support services for women and children surviving violence on the North Shore. NSCSS operates:
SAGE Transition House
3 Second-Stage Housing Programs (Janet’s Place, Hope’s Place, and SAGE Second Stage)
PEACE Program for children and youth
Homeless Prevention Program
Outreach Service Program
Culturally informed services for immigrant & refugee-identifying families experiencing violence (Multicultural Outreach Program)
Good Stuff Connection Thrift Store & Clothing Program
24-Hour Women’s Support Line: 604 987 3374
Find more photos on Facebook @galaofgrace.
About North Shore Crisis Services Society:
NSCSS offers emergency shelter, longer-term housing, and wrap-around support services to women and children surviving violence on the North Shore – since 1979. NSCSS operates SAGE Transition House, a short-term, 18-bed women’s shelter that houses women, children, and their pets. For longer-term safe housing, we provide accommodations through 3 second-stage housing programs and 6 family units for mother-led families escaping violence.
For media inquiries, contact Sandra Lee
slee@nscss.net
604 307 1329