A Fresh Coat of Paint for Ingamo Homes

Thursday, 7 March 2013 10:17

They're hoping sweeping changes will help them stand-out in the community. Ingamo Homes in Woodstock has a new logo, a new slogan, a new website, and a new identity. The group that provides second-stage housing for women escaping abusive relationships hosted a relaunch last night. Ingamo Homes Executive Director Diana Harris explains why they need the change. "We needed to stand-out in the community. A lot of people get us mixed up with the shelter (DASO) so we kind of get lost. We do the same type of work, but differently. So what I'm hoping is people will recognize Ingamo, and not ask 'Who is Ingamo, and what do they do?'" The new logo features three houses, representing the townhomes Ingamo operates (they have 21). Harris says in the first house is a key, "That's the first thing we do, when a woman arrives at Ingamo. We hand her a key, and she turns her life around." The second house shows a nurturing family. In the third house is a daisy, which is a national symbol of ending violence against women. Harris says they've also changed the name of the organization. They've dropped the word 'Family' from their title, and will now be known as 'Ingamo Homes', the reason being not all women who turn to Ingamo have children. However, the 'family' concept remains a part of the new logo. Ingamo's new slogan, also featured in the new logo, is "From Broken to Brave" - and was fittingly unveiled on the eve of International Women's Day. They've also launch a new fundraiser in selling key necklaces. The key is symbolic of the key they provide women - not only to their new homes - but to unlocking their future. Of the keys, Harris says, "They are quite unique, they are silver, and they have an 'E' at the bottom of it, which stands for equality. And with equality, you won't have abuse." They're being sold for $20 each or $50 for three. Ingamo Homes has handed out keys to some 650 women who have escaped abusive relationships. To top off the celebration last night, the CAW Local 88 donated $2000 to Ingamo through their Social Justice Fund. Click here to view the new Ingamo Homes website.