WINNIPEG – It’s a violent and dangerous reality many people will never have to know.
But for at least one night a year, sex trade workers in Winnipeg are being given a safe night off the streets through the help of volunteers.
Safe Night Off Winnipeg Streets, or SNOW night, is in its 8th year.
Through the help of the Salvation Army, Mount Carmel Clinic and Klinic, more than 80 sex trade workers will be brought in off the streets and spend 12 hours being pampered.
“The exploitation, the violence, the hard, hard work, just to be able to survive,” said Dianna Bussey from the Salvation Army. “One night is not enough just to experience that peace and be able to relax.”
For one night in mid-February these women are free from violence, harm, hunger and abuse. It gives them a chance to not only connect with resources and police officers, but a place to be loved.
“It is our wish that there would be no body on the street having to be involved in the sex trade, for at least one night,” said Bussey.
The night is a pajama party. Every woman, volunteer or participant, spends the night in a pair of flannel pajamas. It’s meant to be an equalizer.
“It’s just a night to relax. It’s a night to be able to be themselves,” said Bussey.
Each participant receives a new set of pajamas, a comforter and pillow as soon as they walk through the doors. Then the night of pampering begins.
Hairdressers set up a salon and volunteers set up a make-up area.
“To be able to get pampered, get your hair cut and just be pretty and special is so different,” said Mount Carmel Clinic’s Kristi Havens.
Many of these women have never had the opportunity to celebrate a birthday growing up or Christmas. This night is a chance for them to feel special.
The night is completely funded through donations and the Salvation Army is still in need of many items to help ensure the event can go as planned.
“Comforters, pillows, all the donations we need are new,” said Havens.
The event brings together not only volunteers and sex trade workers but a team of organizations that supply resources to the women should they ever need them.
More importantly, it is a place where these women can speak openly and safely and the groups are there to be able to the help the women if they need it.
While there are women from all walks of life at the event, the organizers have said there is one thing each year they always notice.
“There is really no difference, said Havens. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you grew up… that night is just this place where you can just be and interact with one another in a really safe, caring way.”
Donation Items Needed
It is important that the donated items all be new.
- Double or Queen comforters and pillows
- Slippers, socks, underwear, pajamas (preferably flannel 2 piece style)
- Manicure and make-up supplies – nail polish, styling products
- Headbands, elastics, combs, brushes
- Mitts, hats and scarves
- DVD movies (comedies and dramas only)
- Door prizes and raffle baskets (hourly door prizes to be handed out)
Donations can all be dropped off to the Salvation Army, 324 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg.
Comments