Eager shoppers prepare to camp out overnight at the new IKEA store in Dartmouth, N.S. on Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)
IKEA Canada is partnering with a Winnipeg organization to outfit it with renewed home furnishings as part of a $55,000 national investment with 13 local organizations.
The Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre at the University of Winnipeg benefits inner-city youth through educational programs rooted in Indigenous language and culture.
IKEA’s announcement coincides with International Women’s Day on Thursday, where the Swedish furniture giant has partnered with the Canadian Women’s Foundation in an effort to minimize barriers for gender equality.
Each organization receiving funds is located within 10 kilometres of an IKEA store.
Some of the projects receiving funding include furnishing a lounge to promote inclusiveness and opportunities for women to connect, helping create a child-friendly space for women and children who are victims of intimate partner or family violence, and donating home furnishings to a support group for young women who are preparing to transition out of government care.
“We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate and we look forward to working with the Canadian Women’s Foundation to work toward a more gender-equal world,” said Marsha Smith, president of IKEA Canada.
Full list of Canadian Women’s Foundation partner organizations:
- Action jeunesse St-Pie X de Longueuil inc. – IKEA Boucherville
- The Centre for Skills Development and Training – IKEA Burlington
- Immigrant Services Calgary – IKEA Calgary
- Safe Choice Transition House – IKEA Coquitlam
- Multicultural Family Resource Society – IKEA Edmonton
- The Redwood – IKEA Etobicoke
- Alice Housing – IKEA Halifax
- The Shield of Athena Family Services – IKEA Montreal
- North York Community House – IKEA North York
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa – IKEA Ottawa
- PLEA Community Services Society BC – IKEA Richmond
- Yellow Brick House – IKEA Vaughan
- Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre – IKEA Winnipeg
