SaskWater and Moose Jaw Co-op are looking to raise funds for Moose Jaw Transition House with their campaign “Project Shine: Strengthen, Unite, Nurture.” 

“We came together as a partnership between our two organizations to really make a bigger impact with our community and for the Transition House,” explained Michaela Turner, marketing and community relations manager with the Moose Jaw Co-op.  

From now until May 31, tills at the Moose Jaw Co-op Marketplace, their three gas bars, Agro Centre, and their Liberty and Avonlea locations will be accepting $2 donations for Moose Jaw Transition House.  

SaskWater and Moose Jaw Co-op will be matching customer donations up to $2,500 each, for a potential monetary match of $5000.  

Moose Jaw Transition House provides accommodation for women and children facing domestic violence and abuse, as well as outreach programs and ongoing resources.  

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of intimate partner violence amongst the provinces, with 732 cases per 100,000 population reported in 2022. Ontario has the lowest, at 247 cases per 100,000 population. 

Courtney Mihalicz, manager of corporate communications with SaskWater, said they’ll be looking to give other businesses an opportunity to join in the campaign and provide support. “It’s not necessarily simply a SaskWater and Co-op campaign, but a community campaign.” 

They’re aiming to fundraise $10,500 this month for renovations at Transition House. The current Transition House building was built in 1979, with an addition built in the 90s. The shelter has six bedrooms and the ability to house up to 16 women and children at any one time.  

“Project Shine funds are to go towards making the house a home,” said Jenn Angus, executive director with Moose Jaw Transition House.  

The main update they’d be aiming to use the funds for is replacing the laminate vinyl floor, which she estimates will cost $13,000. 

Angus said they’re also looking to have funds available and ready to replace their aging furnaces. “They might last another year, another two – they might go kaputt tomorrow, we don’t know. We have two of them, and they’re about $20,000.” 

Other upgrades that they’ll be looking to complete over time include electrical, plumbing, and appliances. “All those things that happen in a home that you don’t think about every day until they’re not working.” 

She shared the importance of having funding for updating Transition House. “We want it to be the best possible place, so when they come in and they’ve had the worst day of their life, they’re coming into an environment that’s peaceful, and calm, and clean.” 

“One of the best ways we can support them is by showing them that we care and showing them that we care by giving them a safe and comfortable place to live,” she added.  

Moose Jaw Transition House, Moose Jaw Co-op, and SaskWater came together yesterday afternoon to launch the campaign with a visit to the Moose Jaw Co-op Marketplace.