This is our story…and our Request!

We are a Federally registered non-profit organization based in Timmins, Ontario.

We started in June 2021, after the news of the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC.

Vanessa Genier BBA founded Quilts For Survivors, reaching out to other quilters across Canada for help in making 216 quilt squares(blocks) honouring these children and producing 18 quilts.

Residential School Survivors and their families responded fervently. More requests flooded in and this exciting project to comfort up to 40,000 survivors was launched. As of July 2024, Quilts for Survivors has sent out over 5,600 quilts to Survivors across Canada..

Today over 2,000 Survivors are waitlisted! Meanwhile, Vanessa has received several awards and accolades for her work with Quilts For Survivors:

• Vanessa Genier M.S.M. Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division) from the Governor General

• One of the 25 Most Influential Women of 2024

• 2024 recipient of the Jim Brady Memorial Medal of Excellence

• Quilts For Survivors is the recipient of the 2023 Timmins Chamber of Commerce Nova Award in the Non-profit category.

• Quilts For Survivors is also the recipient of the 2023 Inclusive Growth Award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Quilts for Survivors recognises survivors, acknowledging their pain, and allows them to heal and tell their stories with the practical and touching gesture of a hand-made quilt. YOU can participate in this note worthy step forward achieving Truth and Reconciliation!

Our Mission is to create comfort and healing through the making and giving of quilts.

Our Vision is to see that all living Survivors receive a quilt.

YOU can help make a difference and take part in Truth and Reconciliation by helping to fund our nonprofit. As we seek longer-term grants, we need funds to continue to support our operations and produce quilts honouring Survivors and their journey.

To request a corporate sponsorship package please email [email redacted]

• To learn more about Quilts for Survivors and what we continue to do for survivors across Turtle Island (North America) please visit our website www.quiltsforsurvivors.ca

• You can also become a volunteer. We offer a safe space for people to volunteer, and everyone is welcome at our studio in Timmins, Ontario.

• We offer classes, workshops, speaking engagements, sewing retreats, and more. You can find more information on our website www.quiltsforsurvivors.ca