Non-profit site launched

An e-commerce website has come to Penticton to support of those trying to exit the sex trade.

The Penticton Soup Sisters and Brodo Kitchen hosted an event launching the JCI Bubbles website Monday, in support of the South Okanagan and Women in Needs Society's SAFEXst (exit) program.

Instead of a typical silent auction fundraiser or single event, JCI has built a website where people can purchase comfort items directly for the program all year.

"What their funding does not allow are comfort items, luxury items, a rich hand moisturizer, fuzzy blanket, towels, soap, shampoo, all things we takes for granted, but really that's what makes you feel warm, comforted and able to tackle the problems that are coming the next day," said Margie Hibbard co-chair of JCI Bubbles.

"We want them to know through this that we hear you and we see you, we understand that you are part of this community and that you are struggling and we want to help you."  

While SAFEXst has five years of funding from the federal government, it does not have the funding to provide anything that isn't essential.

"JCIBubbles.com is all about putting that information right there," she said. "We've got the items that SAFEXst needs or the extras that would just make it that much more special for those people and give them a little bit of extra strength." 

"It's right there on the website, you purchase the items, I go to the local businesses give them actual money so that we are not just constantly getting free donations from these businesses. Then I give the gift certificates or the actual products straight to SAFEXst."

The website is one of JCI’s many “impact projects” in the community.