By Marc Hull-Jacquin
Imagine being trapped in an abusive relationship, unsure of how to escape, overwhelmed by the risks of both leaving and staying, and knowing that your next stop, whether a friend’s couch or a bed in a shelter, means losing your belongings. This is the harsh reality faced by many survivors of intimate partner violence.
In 2016 while on parental leave with my daughter, I decided I wanted to change this reality. Thinking about the safety I was able to provide my children—the roof over their heads, a warm bed at night, and all their favourite things, from finger paintings to macaroni necklaces—I knew that everyone deserves a safe home. From this, Shelter Movers was born: a volunteer-powered charity providing moving and storage services at no cost to abuse survivors, primarily women and children, fleeing violence.
For one survivor from an upscale Toronto neighbourhood, leaving felt impossible: “I looked around my beautiful home, and it was hard to understand how I ended up in this situation,” she told me. “How could I be living with so much ugliness behind closed doors? I couldn’t stand the idea of being labelled a victim. I am strong. I am capable. I am not a victim. But eventually, I knew staying was more dangerous than leaving.”
Shelter Movers offers a simple solution to this complex problem, helping survivors transform an impossible situation into a new beginning. “I was scared and unsure, but when the Shelter Movers team arrived, everything changed,” the survivor shared. “They restored my dignity and provided a sense of security. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful.” Coordinating the moves involves careful planning, a detailed itinerary and a team that can include volunteer movers and drivers, police and private security, language interpreters, pet fostering agencies and other services, depending on the survivor’s needs.
Shelter Movers started in Toronto but now operates in 10 cities across Canada, completing around 150 moves every month. It’s the only service of its kind in the country. It is astounding to me that a woman or girl is killed every two days in Canada at the hands of an intimate partner or family member. Shelter Movers is about more than moving belongings; it’s about reminding survivors they matter. Each move sends a powerful message that survivors are not alone and deserve a community that stands with them on their journey.
This vital work is only possible because of the unwavering support of donors, volunteers and community partners. Every act of generosity becomes a lifeline, empowering survivors to take their first steps toward a safer, brighter future. I invite you to join the movement and be a force for positive change by visiting ShelterMovers.com/Donate.
Marc Hull-Jacquin is the founder and CEO of Shelter Movers, an organization that provides free moves and storage for thousands of abuse survivors across Canada. In 2024, he was presented with the prestigious Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal for his work.