Share Your Story

Thank you for offering to share your story with our donors and supporters. Knowing how their help is making an impact on the people who have used Birchway Niagara services can inspire people in our community to continue their support of our shelter services or encourage new donors and volunteers to become supporters. It can also encourage other survivors to reach out for help.

We know that sharing your story can be difficult and invite you to share it only if you are comfortable, and in the way that you find easiest. Our team can help. How you connect with us is up to you. You could:

Write out your story yourself and email it to our Communications Manager at jenniferm@birchway.ca
Submit answers to questions in the form below. We can then weave your answers into a story or use quotes from your answers in our communications.
Email our Communications Manager, Jennifer, to set up a time to talk over the phone or in person about your experiences. Jennifer can be reached at jenniferm@birchway.ca or 905-356-3933 x239

A few things that might help:

If you are worried for your safety, you can use a different name and change the names of any members of your family when we share your story to protect your confidentiality and safety.
If you provide an email address, we are happy to share the version of your story before it is printed or shared digitally to make sure you are okay with the way it is written. (Even if you write the story yourself, please note we may have to edit it for readability or because of limited space).

Thank you for making an impact by sharing your story with your community.

First Name

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Last Name

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Telephone

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Email *

Please provide a valid email address.

When were you a Birchway Niagara / Women’s Place client?

This field is required.

Your Experience

If you met one of our donors, how would you say their donation made a difference in your life?

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Describe the situation that led you to Birchway Niagara

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Which services did you use?

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How did you feel when you arrived?

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How did the staff/services of Birchway Niagara help you?

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How did you end up leaving your partner/situation safely (if you chose to do so)?

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What would you tell another person who is experiencing abuse?

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Did you participate in any programming that Birchway Niagara offered? How did it help?

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If you stayed in shelter, did you feel safe/welcomed?

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Can you think of anything else you would like to share?

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Sharing Your Story

Permissions *

I permit Birchway Niagara to share my story (e.g. in donor communications, on the Birchway Niagara social media sites/website, in speeches etc.)

I do not permit Birchway Niagara to share my story

Please select an option.

If we have your permission to share your story, how would you like to be identified?

Identification *

Use both my first and last name

Use only my first name

Do not use my name (Birchway Niagara will usually choose another name if you choose this option instead of identifying you as anonymous. If you have a preference for the name used, please put it below)

Please select an option.

Preferred Alias

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Would it be okay if a staff member from Birchway Niagara reached out to you? *

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If you check yes, please make sure to provide a phone number or email address above.

Would you be interested in public speaking opportunities?

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Is there anything else you would like Birchway Niagara to know about you or your story?

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