Casa Ioana, helping women escape domestic violence

Aim

Demand for Casa Ioana services surged during covid lockdowns, and income dropped with cancelled events. They need our financial support.

Casa Ioana in Bucharest is one of those rare places to bring hope to people at their most vulnerable. 

It opened as Romania’s first night shelter for the homeless and has grown to provide temporary shelter and professional support to women and their children experiencing domestic abuse. This is their 25th anniversary year. In that time Casa Ioana have supported 5,394 single adults, 6,015 families and 7,601 children.

Its gift is to offer a safe space, a sanctuary to those escaping domestic violence. It gives children what might be the first place they find love and belonging. It empowers residents with vital skills, equipping them for a new beginning – free from fear.

Coronavirus brought new challenges for us all. At Casa Ioana it meant soaring demand for services at the same time as donations fall away. They now need the same helping hand their refuge offers to others. With your support we can help sustain their mission to give shelter to vulnerable women and children escaping abuse.

Because donations are made via our UK charity partner, The Funding Network, they are eligible for Gift Aid, a 25% extra contribution from the British government. All money raised will benefit Casa Ioana. Approximately 5% will go towards transaction fees (crowdfunder) and grant administration costs through our partner The Funding Network.

These are the services your donation will make possible

• Provide safe accommodation for women escaping violence
• Offer professional counselling to address the trauma of domestic abuse
• Get treatment for survivors with physical health problems
• Empower women with valuable skills, equipping them for a new life free from fear and abuse
• Support children scarred by family violence, helping them re-adjust and continue with education.

Casa Ioana is endorsed by the British Embassy in Bucharest. In 2000, Ian Tilling, Casa Ioana's founder was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

You can read more here.

The UK Romania Group brings together the leading diaspora organisations in the UK – Cercul Donatorilor Londra, GRASP UK, the Rațiu Family Charitable Foundation, Ro and You, Români în UK, Romanian-IT UK and the Romanian Medical Society UK – to support a Romanian charity in our annual Christmas fundraiser.

This project successfully funded on 5th December 2020