Support us on March 8 and make me do some push-up in the processs!

MEDIA RELASE

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2011

Nanaimo Women's Resources Centre Pushing its Limits for a Better Future

Centre Celebrates International Women's Day; Wants Nanaimo Residents to Join-in

(Nanaimo, BC) On Tuesday, March 8, thousands will gather to celebrate and honour women for the 100th International Women's Day event, and in Nanaimo the staff and volunteers at the Nanaimo Women's Resources Centre (NWC) will be marking the day by pushing themselves to the limit.

"Every year we serve more than 1,000 women, many on multiple cases, helping these women push through fears and face their circumstances in a move towards achieving a better life for themselves or their families," said Lesley Clarke, NWC executive director. "So this year we have decided to celebrate this day by pushing ourselves to the near breaking point in order to reach one of our own goals - and we would love for Nanaimo to show their support."

So what will the NWC be doing this International Women's Day? Staff and volunteers will gather at their house on 285 Selby Street and will be dropping to give 20 for every 20 - that is - they will be doing either 20 sit-ups or 20 push-ups for every $20 donated or new member signed to the NWC on that day.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have a strong base of supporters, but like so many non-profit organizations across the country, we could really use a few more," said Clarke "Every day we work to provide women with the tools, education and resource planning to help them expand their social and economic opportunities. We have great programs and services, but there is a lot more we want to do for these women and their families and this has lead us to a very big goal - a new house that would allow us the space to grow with the needs of our clients."

The NWC has been acting as an outreach and resource referral centre sine 1981 in Nanaimo and currently serves approximately 150 women each month. Programs and services include housing support, food and clothing resources, counselling, programs for women living on the street and programs for teenage girls in distress. The house on Selby also offers a warm, non-judgemental space for women to gather and find support on their path to recovery.

"We have wonderful women working and volunteering with us, helping support fellow women in this community, but there is a lot more we want to do. On this centennial celebration of women, we hope to see people step up and honour women who have made a difference in their lives. And in donating to the centre or by becoming a member, they will help us continue to provide and increase opportunities to facilitate a desperately needed service in our community," said Clarke.

For more information about the NWC, visit www.nanaimowomen.com or to make a donation please drop by the centre or call 250-753-0633.

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Photo cutline: Caitlin Dembicki, NWC case worker, Suzie Dunn, NWC coordinator and Jenna Sequi-Berg, NWC volunteer gather in-line at the NWC house on Selby street to prepare for the March 8 20-for-20 event, in which staff and volunteers of the NWC will be doing push-ups or sit-ups corresponding to every dollar donated. Shirts are available for purchase.

For Further Inquiries:

Suzie Dunn, NWC Coordinator

250-753-0633

coordinator@nanaimowomen.com

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