Morton Family Foundation marks 5th year of $50,000 donations to YWCA Haliburton programs

The Morton Family Foundation has given an incredible donation of $50,000 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for the fifth consecutive year, supporting the YWCA’s services for women and children in Haliburton County.

Patricia and David Morton have been generous donors to the YWCA for 12 years, and have given $50,000 each year since 2020. Patricia, a professor emerita who taught history and women’s studies for 26 years at Trent University, states that their commitment to the YWCA stems from the epidemic of gender-based abuse and violence against women in our country.

“About 44% of Canadian women – 6.2 million people – have reported experiencing psychological or physical abuse in an intimate relationship,” Patricia says.

“Gender-based violence has severe ramifications on the health of the victims – including traumatic brain injuries that can result in lasting mental health challenges and even death, as well as lasting traumatic impacts on their children. David and I feel very fortunate to be able to contribute again to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s vital support services and safe shelters for the many women who are endangered by gender-based abuse and too often deadly violence.”

Patricia notes that close to 200 women in Canada were killed by femicide in 2024, and that more than 60 of those cases were in Ontario. The true numbers are even higher, as many instances of violence and abuse are never reported, and statistics only include those cases ruled as femicide by authorities.

“Clearly femicide must be stopped, and all levels of government must enact legislation that provides protection, safety, support, and affordable housing for the survivors of gender-based abuse and violence,” she says.

The Mortons have directed their support to the YWCA’s programs in Haliburton County, which provide rural women experiencing violence and abuse with vital services including safety planning, counselling, and legal assistance. “Isolated rural women are especially vulnerable to intimate partner abuse and violence, and to femicide,” Patricia says. “The YWCA’s services give these women hope that they and their children can have much better lives. David and I greatly hope to encourage others to give as much as possible to the YWCA, because it is the wellbeing and the lives of abused women that are at stake.”

Access to safe and reliable services in rural communities is an ongoing problem. The YWCA Women’s Centre in Haliburton County offers the resources women need in order to escape gender-based violence and find safer ways to move forward with their life. The Centre provide access to transition supports such as safe transportation, individual counselling, a family law lawyer, court support and guidance.

In addition, YWCA’s Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS) provides safe and supportive temporary accommodations for women with and without children fleeing abuse in Haliburton County. This innovative service is designed to be available on an as-needed basis and offers space for two families at a time so that women can move away from the abusive situation in their home without leaving their support systems, jobs and schools, families and friends behind.

Rural women in Haliburton County have reported far more serious and complex abuse since 2020. Like women’s organizations across the province, the YWCA faces heightened demand and increasing costs and would not be able to continue operating these programs without the generous support of our community.

“The Morton Family Foundation has reached a milestone in their tradition of generosity, after five years of leadership giving,” says Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

“I am truly grateful every day for Patricia and David’s dedication to supporting so many worthwhile community initiatives. I offer them thanks on behalf of every woman and child we serve in Haliburton County, for providing them with the resources and support they need to feel safe again.”

David Morton adds that he continues to be appalled at the level of violence that women suffer from men who take out their anger and frustrations with physical and emotional violence. “I believe it is so important to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton in their effort to protect women who are in very vulnerable situations,” he says. “I urge others to support the YWCA in this effort.”

Community members who wish to donate or find ways of supporting YWCA services are encouraged to visit ywcapeterborough.org or contact the YWCA directly at 705-743-3526.