Thank You, Anita Merlo, For Your Incredible Support

Here at Ernestine’s, we are eternally grateful for our amazing community of generous donors and supporters. From hardworking businesses to selfless individuals, Ernestine’s is stronger because of every single person who has supported us over the years.

One of our amazing long-term supporters is Anita Merlo, a realtor at Bosley Real Estate Brokerage. For over 20 years, Anita has been supporting Ernestine’s through a variety of initiatives, and most recently she sponsored the ASL interpreters at our Ernestine Affair gala back in April.

Supporting gender-based violence shelters has always been a meaningful mission for Anita. “Over my lifetime, I’ve known many women — family, friends, and neighbours — who have been abused,” explains Anita. “And if I can give back in order to help someone in that situation, that’s so important to me.”

Anita first began supporting Ernestine’s due to a personal connection with Sharlene Tygesen, Ernestine’s executive director. But it was after being invited to tour the shelter that Anita’s love for the organization really bloomed. “I think it made a huge difference for me to see the shelter and the environment there,” says Anita. “There always seems to be some joy in the women there, which is so uplifting to see, but it also punches you in the heart.”

Anita often volunteers in the fall to help provide school supplies for kids living at the shelter, as well as during the holidays to make sure they have presents to open. Attending the Ernestine Affair gala is often an annual highlight, which is why his year she decided to step up her support by sponsoring the ASL interpreters to help make the special event more accessible for all.

“The gala is a way to celebrate the women in the shelter, those who had the courage to leave an abusive relationship and those who have had the courage to leave and raise their children on their own,” explains Anita. “I think when you hear these stories at the gala, it’s really uplifting. It gives you a little bit of hope and faith in humanity, hoping that things will eventually change.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize that this kind of abuse exists until it hits really close to home,” says Anita. “But how would you feel if you could give someone the opportunity to have their life changed in a positive way? If you knew that a financial contribution could impact someone’s life forever? Would that not resonate with you?”

Thank you, Anita, for your incredible, long-standing support! Your generosity and passion mean so much to the women, Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals and their children who need us.