Image Courtesy of CCAA
Founded in 1993, the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness has transformed from a small charity run out of Ellen Campbell’s basement into an organization which services over 130 agencies and supports over 200,000 people per year through its programs, product distribution, education, and (of course) awareness.
With four full-time employees and many volunteers, the organization’s administrative costs are only 7.25%, which is extremely low for a charity. The charity raises its financing through corporate support, private donations, and fundraising events. The organization received $200,000 in seed money 12 years ago through campaigns run by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Shopper’s Drug Mart, and seven years ago, John Derringer of Q107, a Toronto classic rock radio station, began supporting the charity. To date, Q107 has raised over $2M in cash and product for the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness.
Ellen Campbell’s work has been motivated by her history as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Having previously acted as the Executive Director of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Ellen has dedicated much of her time to providing support for others. Now, as the founder, President, and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness, she can reach out to men, women, and children across Canada.
We are considered experts in the matter of abuse, and the government looks to us as a strong representative for victims.
What inspired you to start your business?
The need for support for survivors of abuse and their families. Also needed to bring the issue of abuse out into the open.
How did you source and secure business’ seed capital?
The first $ 200,000 was raised through Ken Dryden and the Toronto Maple Leafs in association with Shopper’s Drug Mart.
The Safe Haven law will allow a mother to drop her baby off at a hospital and not be charged with abandonment
What are your services?
The programs we provide are:
- Education for the prevention of child abuse throughout Canada
- Women Mentoring Women Program
- Huggum’s Hope Memorial (burial of abandoned babies)
- Advocacy for legislative change to protect children. We were instrumental in getting the age of consent moved from 14 to 16 years old.
- Support groups for male survivors
- Conferences and workshops on abuse issues
- Wishes for abused and neglected children
- Products for women starting over: bedding, kitchen and bathroom supplies, clothing
- Toy distribution at Christmas. This year over 2,000 children and 678 families received help.
- Monthly e-zine
- Weekly TV show about addictions
- Referral and resource centre
I have a very strong faith, and am passionate about what I do.
What makes your services different?
No one else is supporting front line workers like we do. We do not take government funding, so we can advocate for victims. Over 130 agencies look to us for help with product because no one else has a warehouse like we have. We can provide everything new, from clothing to appliances. We are considered experts in the matter of abuse, and the government looks to us as a strong representative for victims. We are also in the lead in our work with male survivors of childhood abuse.
How did you build your management team?
We have a board of directors, and my Chief Operating Officer was the Chairman of the Board for many years.
What insights do you have from building, attracting and retaining your workforce?
People who have been affected by abuse are more drawn to working and volunteering with us.
How did you brand and market your business?
An advertising company donated their services to us to develop our brand.
Please provide a brief description of your biggest success to date?
To expand on things close to my heart I would like explain why I have decided to work towards getting the Safehaven Law legislated in Ontario and then the other provinces. The Safe Haven law will allow a mother to drop her baby off at a hospital and not be charged with abandonment.
A few years ago, I contacted the Chief Coroner, Dr. Cairns to tell him that we would bury the babies that are abandoned at birth, put into dumpsters, garbage, or just left outside in the elements to die. To me, this truly is the earliest stage of abuse.
I was able to secure 9 plots (each plot holds 5 babies), a bench and a monument where the names of the babies (which we gave them) could be inscribed, at a beautiful site in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. These were all donated by Mt. Pleasant Cemeteries. In addition, Simple Alternatives gave the first two babies the most beautiful ceremony. John McDermott sang, and they released two doves (one for each baby), and then 82 doves. When I saw the little white casket, it made such an impression upon me. I thought something has to be done. I made a commitment on that day that I would work to save other babies from such a fate.
My agency was very instrumental in having the age of consent moved from 14 to 16 years old. We are familiar with advocacy, and bringing awareness to the public around serious issues. We also received a grant from Fed Ex to go across Canada with a program called Empowering Young Lives.
I am also very passionate about encouraging other women to overcome their difficulties, and give them hope. Twenty years ago I was lining up in the hospital for my pills ready to kill myself. Today, I am living a full, rich life, and I know that other women can not only overcome and thrive, but strive, but they need hope. Last year I received a “Fearless Women” award, and I was very honoured. I met a wonderful lady at that ceremony named Michelle Peavy who partnered with me to create the “ALL Women” conference – an event to inspire and empower.
We recently gave Lisa Lison, the President of Fed Ex the first ALL Women award. We are holding the ALL Women conference on October 6th, 2011 where we will bring together amazing women who have become quite successful. We will also align with other women who are looking for direction, and perhaps even hope, to show how they can also be successful in every area of their life. Mary Morassutti of MK Strategic has also come along side of us to make this happen.
We do not take government funding, so we can advocate for victims.
Do you have plans to expand to new markets/products?
We would like to provide more programs nationally.
What are your goals as an entrepreneur?
To continue doing what I am doing, and making a difference. It almost makes the abuse I went through worth it, when I see that some good has come out of it.
What is your exit strategy?
My Chief Operating Officer, who has been with the agency for 16 years, will step into my job, and is gradually taking on a lot of work now.
People who have been affected by abuse are more drawn to working and volunteering with us.
Do you have any other ventures you are presently involved in?
No, this is more than full time.
How do you define success?
You have balance in your life, and you are happy with who you are.
To what do you most attribute your success?
I have a very strong faith, and am passionate about what I do. I believe that when we are presented with situations where we can help because of our own experiences, we should do whatever we can. While I would not choose to be sexually abused as a child, by the grace of God, I have not only overcome the pain and the losses it caused, but can now use it to help others.
The best therapy for me has been my reaching out to help others. It has helped me to continue to grow and have purpose. From a little 9 year old frightened little girl, I oversee an agency that serves over 130 agencies, and over 200,000 people a year.
I am no longer a survivor, but an over comer!!!!!
If you were to recommend a book or movie to a young entrepreneur, what would it be?
Something Beautiful for God by Mother Teresa.
If you had the chance to start over again, what would you do differently?
I would have started sooner.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your life?
It has given me a great sense of accomplishment, and also given me a lot of freedom to develop the agency, and mentor others.
What is the best part of running a charity?
Although I answer to a board, I have a lot of freedom. There is also a tremendous amount of responsibility, and the buck stops with me.
It almost makes the abuse I went through worth it, when I see that some good has come out of it.
The Advocate
Through tireless work, Ellen Campbell has achieved a great deal advocating for victims of abuse. The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness has become an invaluable source of information, resources, and support for victims, and the organization has successfully advocated for changes on the governmental level. For more information about the organization’s work, visit the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness website and for tickets or information on the ALL Women conference.
