Women and children residing at Regina Transition House now have the opportunity to visit Santa’s workshop, a secure environment where mothers can handpick Christmas presents for their kids. This initiative caters to families escaping domestic violence, providing a more respectful way to select gifts for the festive season amidst challenging circumstances.
Kim Hickes, the operations manager at Regina Transition House, expressed that the aim is to infuse a sense of normalcy and happiness into Christmas by enabling women to shop for their children. The concept originated over ten years ago when Hickes was employed at a shelter in northern Manitoba. She vividly remembered a mother who arrived on Christmas Day with several children after fleeing a violent situation, without any gifts or access to shopping facilities.
The Santa’s workshop initiative empowers women to choose personalized and new gifts for their children, rather than receiving generic donations. Additionally, shelter staff assisted children in crafting letters to Santa Claus to help in the gift selection process. According to Hickes, the element of choice is crucial as it allows women to select items that truly resonate with their children’s interests.
Crystal Giesbrecht, a domestic violence advocate based in Regina, emphasized the significance of this initiative in positively impacting families escaping violence during the holiday season. She highlighted the importance of survivors having the autonomy to make decisions, especially after enduring controlling relationships where choices were limited.
The program is sustained by community contributions and financial support, including backing from SaskEnergy’s Share the Warmth program. Hickes mentioned that donations are continuously pouring in, ensuring that the workshop remains operational throughout the holiday period, even post-Christmas, to assist families in need beyond the festive season.
Hickes emphasized, “Crisis doesn’t adhere to holiday schedules,” stressing the importance of maintaining support for families arriving later in need of assistance.