Current events
For immediate release: Luke’s Place used $199,800 OTF Grant from the Province to strengthen its resilience
(Durham Region, ON) – On Thursday, May 22nd, the team at Luke’s Place met with MPP Lorne Coe to speak about the impact that their two-year, $199,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation has had since receiving it in 2023. Since then, Luke’s Place has been successful in strengthening its…
Read moreFor immediate release: Executive Director Transition at Luke’s Place
We are excited to announce a significant leadership transition at Luke’s Place. Following a thoughtful and thorough search process, The Board of Directors are thrilled to welcome Lily Pourzand as the incoming Executive Director of Luke’s Place. Lily is a first-generation immigrant woman who came to Canada for political safety and personal freedom in 1999…
Read moreVictim & Survivors of Crime Week: The Power of Collaboration
This week, the Government of Canada marks Victim and Survivors of Crime Week, a national initiative designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by victims and survivors of crime, while highlighting the critical services, assistance, and laws available to support them. At Luke’s Place, we are dedicated to helping women who have experienced intimate…
Read moreMental Health Awareness Week: Self-care as a Feminist Act
May 5th to the 11th marks Mental Health Awareness Week. This year at Luke’s Place, we are focusing on the role that self-care plays in sustaining feminist movements, particularly for women impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV) and those who work tirelessly to support them. Taking time to care for yourself can sometimes be met…
Read moreCelebrating National Volunteer Week 2025: Volunteers Make Waves
At Luke’s Place, we are proud to honour the incredible impact of our volunteers who help shape a more just and supportive legal system for women and children subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV). This year’s National Volunteer Week theme: Volunteers Make Waves, highlights how each act of volunteering, big or small, creates momentum, contributes…
Read moreAnd Sometimes They Kill You shortlisted for Donner Book Prize
April 15, 2025 (Toronto, ON) Gregory Belton, Chair of the Donner Canadian Foundation, today announced the shortlist for the 2024 Donner Prize, the award recognizing the best public policy book by a Canadian. “The aim of the Donner Prize is to spotlight books advancing a thoughtful perspective on policy issues facing our society and governments…
Read moreEqual Pay Day 2025: Fair wages, Safer futures
Thursday, April 10th is Equal Pay Day in Canada. This day raises awareness of the gender pay gap. Despite decades of advocacy, research, and policy changes, the gender pay gap is still a pressing issue, especially for marginalized communities. The gender pay gap refers to the difference in earnings between women and men. In Canada, women…
Read moreTwo Years Later: The Urgent Need to Implement the Mass Casualty Commission’s Recommendations
On March 30, 2023, the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission released its final report, Turning the Tide Together. Now, as we approach the two-year anniversary of the report, we must ask: have we turned the tide, or are we still waiting for change? Unfortunately, a review of the femicide numbers makes it clear that we…
Read moreBe a voice of change: Support feminist law reform
In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8th, we dedicated the entire month to our campaign, Voices of Change: Women Shaping Law Reform. Advocacy and law reform are at the heart of our mission. Our organization was born as a community response to a tragedy resulting in the death of a child. Since opening…
Read moreLeadership Transition: Announcing the retirement of the Executive Director of Luke’s Place
Message from Luke’s Place Board President With gratitude and our best wishes for her future, the Board announces that our founding Executive Director, Carol Barkwell, will retire from Luke’s Place on May 30, 2025 after 22 years. Under Carol’s leadership, Luke’s Place has grown from a small grassroots initiative in the Durham Region to a…
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