ReSTART Program

ReSTART is an initiative of Soroptimist international of White Rock whereby the club provides kits of household items for women and children that are leaving Transition Houses to live independently free from violence and abuse.

We continue to work through advocacy, action and outreach as an active voice in the struggle to end violence against women and children.

ReSTART, which stands for Surviving Today and ReSTARTing Tomorrow, was a project that was developed and started in 2004. Our research showed that women and children arrive at transition houses, often through police intervention or from the hospital emergency ward, with few or no personal belongings. We determined that basic household necessities are crucial for women and children trying to start independent living.

Our ReSTART Kits contain kitchen, bedroom and bathroom items needed to set up a household and are designed to suit a single woman, and are increased for a family.

We received a grant from Soroptimist International of the Americas to fund the initial kits. Since then we have undertaken various Fundraising initiatives such as our very successful Purse Auction, plus we receive some funding from the Province of British Columbia, through its Gaming program. Since we started the program in August 2004 we have provided kits to 468 women and 954 children, also to 172 senior women over 50.

We believe the ability to live independently, combined with professional counseling and education will enable the women to break out of the cycle of abuse and enhance their future.

This year has been less busy than others due to COVID and in part to the absence of suitable accommodation for women to move into.

To date from Fall 2004:

176 Senior Women

501 Adult Women

955 children