Shelter Movers
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Mission Statement
Shelter Movers is a national, volunteer-powered charitable organization that provides free moving and storage services to survivors of abuse. We collaborate with over 300 referral agencies, including women’s shelters, transition homes, law enforcement and victim services, to support survivors through some of the most dangerous moments of their lives. Our vision is a world where every survivor can transition to safety in dignity and power, without financial or logistical obstacles standing in their way. Since our founding, we have completed over 8,700 moves, serving more than 18,000 survivors and their children. With the support of over 1,300 dedicated volunteers contributing 30,000+ hours annually, Shelter Movers operates in 11 cities across Canada, with plans to expand to 13 cities by March 2026 to meet growing demand.
About This Cause
In Canada, the most dangerous place for women and girls is often their own home. A woman or girl is killed every two days due to gender-based and family violence, and over 120,000 cases of abuse are reported to police each year. However, the true scale of gender-based violence is even greater, as most incidents go unreported due to fear, stigma, and systemic barriers. Survivors face immense challenges when trying to flee, including financial insecurity, logistical hurdles, and the risk of escalating violence. One of the most critical barriers to leaving is the inability to move safely. Shelters and transition homes, while vital, often enforce a two-bag limit on belongings, forcing survivors to leave behind furniture, personal items, and cherished possessions. Without support, many survivors are left with impossible choices - returning to an abusive home to retrieve their belongings, exposing themselves to greater danger, or remaining in the abusive situation due to lack of resources. Shelter Movers was founded in 2016 to eliminate these barriers and provide a practical, survivor-centered solution that enables individuals and families to leave abuse safely and with dignity. How Shelter Movers Works We offer a proven, survivor-centered service model that effectively coordinates volunteer movers, storage facilities, security personnel, language interpreters, and unmarked moving vehicles to ensure a safe and dignified transition. Our process is simple but highly effective: Referral & Intake: We receive referrals from partner agencies and conduct a short intake process to assess risk level, logistics, and safety needs. This includes confirming the survivor’s situation and determining required supports, such as private security, police escorts, language interpreters, or pet fostering services. Move Coordination: A dedicated Move Coordinator assembles trained volunteers, secures moving vehicles, and arranges additional services as needed. Move Implementation: Volunteers arrive at a secure location to pack, transport, and store belongings in accordance with the survivor’s needs and safety plan. Moves are categorized based on risk level: Urgent Exits: When immediate safety is a concern, survivors and their belongings are transported to a safe location. Escorted Moves: When a survivor has already left the abusive household but needs to retrieve belongings, we coordinate a police or security escort for their protection. Resettlement Assistance: Once a survivor secures long-term housing, we help move them and their stored belongings into their new home. By addressing logistical, financial, and safety concerns, Shelter Movers removes a major barrier to fleeing abuse and helps survivors transition to independence without fear of retribution or loss. The Growing Need and Impact The demand for Shelter Movers' services continues to grow exponentially as awareness spreads and more survivors seek assistance. Over the past year alone, we have: Completed 1,990 moves, supporting over 3,980 parents and children escaping abuse. Expanded to new regions, bringing our volunteer-powered services to more communities in need. Increased move capacity by 21% year-over-year, ensuring more survivors receive timely and effective support. We are the only service of our kind in Canada, filling a critical gap in survivor support services. Our work reduces the risk of survivors returning to an abuser, ultimately breaking cycles of violence and creating lasting societal change. Looking Ahead: Expanding Reach & Impact As demand continues to rise, Shelter Movers is committed to expanding its reach and enhancing service efficiency through innovation and strategic growth. By March 2026, we aim to: Expand to 13 cities across Canada to ensure more survivors can access life-saving services. Increase our annual move capacity to 2,300 moves, reaching thousands more survivors and families. Strengthen partnerships with shelters, social services, and corporate donors to enhance financial sustainability. Enhance MoveHub, our in-house Client Relationship Management (CRM) platform, to streamline intake, improve efficiency, and reduce survivor wait times. Our volunteer-powered model, strong community partnerships, and survivor-centered approach make Shelter Movers uniquely positioned to continue scaling nationally, ensuring that survivors across all regions—including rural and underserved communities—have access to safe, free, and dignified moving services. Through continued collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to survivor safety, Shelter Movers is leading the way in creating lasting change for those escaping violence in Canada.