TIMMINS, ON – The 100 Women Who Care Timmins and Area group donated $1,400 to the Ontario Native Women Association (ONWA) for care packages and go-bags on Monday, April 28.

The organization held its first meeting on Jan. 26, choosing the ONWA Crisis Worker Courage Program as its first donation. The program provides support to Indigenous women, youth, and girls who are escaping human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“Because we’re just starting up, they hadn’t heard of us yet,” said 100 Women Who Care Timmins and Area chair Kim Hallworth. 

The go bags will include essentials for women leaving dangerous places in a hurry.

“They have bags that they distribute throughout the community, that the crisis workers carry those,” she said. “But then they have bags like backpacks for women who need to leave a situation.”

For 100 Women Who Care, each member commits to donating $100 four times a year to different charities and organizations voted on by the group. 

The next meeting was supposed to be this past Sunday, April 28, but Hallworth said they want to increase their numbers before getting together again. About a dozen people attended the first meeting.

“We really want to attain a roll of 100 women or more, so we’re going to take the next few months to work hard on promoting and getting the word out,” said Hallworth.

She said the group is still looking for members and sponsors, and partnerships with other companies and organizations looking to do some good in the community.

“It’s $100 a year for someone, or a business to sponsor us and that will cover any additional costs we might need,” she said. “We’re also looking for people who can offer in-kind support.”

The group is also considering setting up tables at events over the summer to help with recruitment.

“We’re also encouraging our members to spread the word,” said Hallworth.