Health and wellness
September 24, 2024Ashley takes a seat at the Board table to support women
Trigger warning // the following article contains stories around domestic violence.
At Shoppers Drug Mart® we are passionate about giving back to our communities. Each fall, stores raise funds for women impacted by domestic violence through the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s HealthTM Giving Shelter fundraising campaign. While the campaign is national, each store has a local charity partner who receives all in-store donations.
Ashley Davidson, Peers Chair for Alberta and Associate-Owner of a Shoppers Drug Mart store in St. Albert, Alta. is one of four Associates whose store is partnering with the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation (the “Foundation”).
“Jessica Martel was a young mother of three, who was murdered while trying to leave her abusive relationship,” explains Ashley. “Her mother set up a foundation in her name and established Jessie’s House, an emergency shelter for those fleeing domestic violence. Recently, the Foundation has also established Eileen’s Place, a second-stage housing program providing longer term and transitional support for those in need.”
Resources and support are not always available where they are needed. “In rural communities there is often no local shelter - the nearest shelter to Morinville was in Edmonton, nearly 40km away,” explains Ashley. “And if there is a shelter there’s no guarantee there will be room there if someone shows up.” This is why Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health is committed to improving access to care.
“As a Board Member for Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, I hope to be able to do even more to support women fleeing violence,” shares Ashley, who joined the Board in June 2024. “Being able to see the big picture goals, to help identify where we can create access points for women is really rewarding. I am thrilled to be at the table and to be able to help women across Canada get the care they need.”
The Giving Shelter campaign runs until October 4, in-store and online, and 100% of donations made in store stay within the local community. Learn more at shoppersfoundation.ca.