IWAV

IWAV is honoured to be Island Return It Charity of the Month for August!

Every bottle and can you donate helps support free, confidential services for women, children, and gender-diverse people experiencing violence and abuse across the Southern Gulf Islands.

There are two easy ways to give:

♻️ Drop your refundable containers in the outdoor donation bin at 251 Fulford-Ganges Road

OR

💙 Donate your refund anytime to the IWAV Island Return-It Account #300

Every container makes a difference. Thank you for helping build a safer, more caring community.

IWAV was proud to stand with our 2SLGBTQIA+ community at the Salt Spring Island Pride Parade!

Pride is a celebration of authenticity, belonging, and community, and a reminder that everyone deserves to live free from violence.

Statistics Canada research shows that 2SLGBTQIA+ people experience disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, and harassment.

• Nearly half (49%) of LGB+ women have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence since age 15.
• Nearly 6 in 10 transgender and gender-diverse people have experienced violent victimization.
• Transgender and gender-diverse people are more than twice as likely as cisgender people to experience unwanted sexual behaviours in public places, workplaces, and online.

These aren't just statistics, they represent real people in our communities.

At IWAV, we are committed to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive services across the Southern Gulf Islands for all women—including trans women—as well as non-gender conforming and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.

Our commitment to inclusion doesn't end when the parade is over, it continues every day through the work we do.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post. You never know who may need to know that free, confidential support is available: https://iwav.org/helpline/


Photo Credit: Christopher Roy

Our first bottle drive is tomorrow at the Island Return It 251 Fulford Ganges, 9:30am to 2:00pm! We are raising funds for our free programs and services for Islanders experiencing violence and abuse.

Please consider donating your returnables Saturday, July 25 to IWAV, it would mean so much to us!

♻️ Got empty bottles and cans? Turn them into support for Islanders!

This Saturday, July 25, please consider bringing your returnables to the Island Return-It Depot between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for our first Bottle Drive!

Every bottle and can donated helps fund free programs and services for women, children, and others experiencing violence and abuse across the Southern Gulf Islands. It's an easy way to make a real difference in your community - every donation stays local and helps ensure people can access safety and support when they need it most.

Thank you for helping us create safer communities, one bottle and can at a time. 💙

♻️ Got empty bottles and cans? Turn them into support for Islanders!

This Saturday, July 25, please consider bringing your returnables to the Island Return-It Depot between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for our first Bottle Drive!

Every bottle and can donated helps fund free programs and services for women, children, and others experiencing violence and abuse across the Southern Gulf Islands. It's an easy way to make a real difference in your community - every donation stays local and helps ensure people can access safety and support when they need it most.

Thank you for helping us create safer communities, one bottle and can at a time. 💙

IWAV is proud to stand with our 2SLGBTQIA+ community this Pride. 🏳️‍🌈

Across the Southern Gulf Islands, we provide inclusive anti-violence services and housing, welcoming all women—including trans women—as well as non-binary, gender-diverse, and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.

Check out all the events this weekend at Salt Spring Pride Festival!!

🌈 Pride Month may be over, but Pride on Salt Spring is just getting started! 🏳️‍🌈✨

Join us throughout July as we celebrate our incredible 2SLGBTQIA+ community with film screenings, a community BBQ, workshops, a potluck, the Pride Parade, and so much more!

Whether you're a long-time local, new to the island, or visiting for the weekend, there's something for everyone. Come learn, connect, celebrate, and help make Salt Spring a place where everyone belongs. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

📅 Check out the full schedule below and save the dates!
🌈 We can't wait to celebrate with you!

🏳️‍⚧️Trans BBQ sign up: https://form.jotform.com/260601888349062
🎉 Rainbow Party tickets: https://www.showpass.com/the-rainbow-party/

Volunteer for IWAV's First Bottle Drive! ♻️🩵

We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help with IWAV's upcoming Bottle Drive on Saturday, July 25.

Whether you're greeting donors, sorting returnables, or helping keep things running smoothly, you'll be making a real difference.

Every returnable container collected helps fund IWAV's free programs and services for Islanders experiencing violence and abuse. All proceeds stay in our community, ensuring people can access safety, support, advocacy, and hope when they need it most.

This is a great opportunity to give back, meet new people, and support your community in a practical way. Whether you can volunteer for a couple of hours or the whole event, we'd love to have you on our team!

📅 Saturday, July 25
🕙 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Island Return-It Bottle Depot, 251 Fulford Ganges Road

Interested in volunteering? Send us a message or email [email protected] to sign up or learn more!

We are looking for compassionate volunteers to provide play-based child care for children (ages 3–12) while their caregivers attend support groups, meetings, or take some much-needed time to rest.

We're looking for volunteers with some daytime availability Monday–Thursday.

Volunteers work alongside IWAV staff in a safe, trauma-informed environment - a staff member will always be on site during volunteer hours.

Experience working with children is an asset. We are looking for someone with basic child care training or a willingness to complete the 20-hour Responsible Adult course.

This is a meaningful opportunity to support local families while gaining experience with a caring and supportive team.

Interested or have questions? We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected] or fill out our Volunteer Application Form here: https://forms.office.com/r/VvFqKsbwPB

Join Our Team!

IWAV has two part-time Sexual Assault Response Coordinator opportunities available:

• 1 Permanent Position (8 hours/week)
• 1 Temporary Position (8 hours/week)

Join our Anti-Violence Team and help support survivors of sexual assault across the Southern Gulf Islands through advocacy, referrals, public education, and trauma-informed, survivor-centred support.

Wage: $30.95/hour

Application deadline: July 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM

View the full job posting and qualifications at: iwav.org/employment

To apply, send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] by 4:00 PM on July 3, 2026.