Image Credit: Contributed
June 23, 2016 - 3:00 PM
It takes a collective community effort to help high risk women and girls in the South Okanagan and Parkers Chrysler Dodge Jeep stepped up to the plate today by donating the use of a RAM ProMaster City van to the South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS).
"We are thrilled that such a prominent Penticton business like Parkers has taken a leadership position in helping our community's most vulnerable" states Debbie Scarborough, Executive Director of SOWINS. "By setting such an example, we believe it will create a domino effect with other key businesses in Penticton" she adds.
According to Scarborough, the van will be a key component in the society's Mobile Outreach Program (MOP) wherein volunteers will be transporting harm reduction kits and nutritious snacks to young girls and women in the sex trade industry.
The society conducted a survey in 2015 that showed that sex trade workers triple in the South Okanagan, to as high as 120 women, in the summer months, which makes the need for an outreach program even more urgent. "The van is highly visible with SOWINS and Parker's logo, so that these women know are a safe place for them" states Scarborough.
In addition to the kits and snacks, information about services that SOWINS provides to help high risk, vulnerable women will also be made available.
"We are honoured to help organizations like SOWINS because their efforts impact our entire community. If we have the ability to leverage our assets in a way that makes sense for SOWINS and other non-profits in the South Okanagan, then we are happy to do so" said Parkers General Manager, Jim Tabler.
Family owned and operated, Parkers Chrysler has been operating in Penticton since 1945. More information can be found at www.parkerschrylser.com
News from © iNFOnews, 2016