Events
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Crafted for Courage 2025
Year long culminating May 10, 2025
Location: Esplanade Place Ville Marie Square
Motréal, QC
H3B 2B6
Delivery Deadline: Wednesday, April 12, 2025
Delivery Deadline: Wednesday, April 12, 2025
We are excited to participate in Crafted for Courage (formerly known as the Montreal Blanket Project 2025), making its North American debut thanks to our new member, Nori Bortoluzzi Churchill-Smith. This initiative aims to raise awareness about violence against women through a breathtaking community art installation. Volunteers will knit and crochet 50 x 50 cm squares that will be assembled into blankets and displayed on May 10, 2025, at Esplanade Place Ville Marie. On this day, visitors can select the blanket(s) of their choice in exchange for a donation, with proceeds going directly to four local shelters: Auberge Shalom, Fondation Le Chaînon, along with our federates, Chez Doris and the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal. We encourage all knitters and crocheters, from beginners to experts, to join us. Let's form knitting groups to support each other and contribute to this meaningful cause! This presents a significant opportunity for our city to make a meaningful contribution to the global fight against gender-based violence.
Inspiration
Crafted for Courage involves adorning public spaces with knitted and crocheted blankets, symbolizing a powerful stance against gender-based violence. What sets this initiative apart is its dual impact: beyond its visual representation, these blankets serve as a means of fundraising. The proceeds are directed to support programs aiding women in anti-violence centers, amplifying the project's impact beyond its visual presence.
JOIN THE CAUSE – Volunteers needed!
Collection is in Full Swing! Square submissions are underway, and the creativity and love in your contributions are inspiring. Keep them coming! Check out the website for the various drop off locations – more aded weekly! Sign-up now via the link below.
Registrations
Visit the official Crafted for Courage 2025 website
The project is looking for volunteers to knit and crochet 50 cm x 50 cm squares, and 4 of these squares will be assembled to form blankets measuring 100cm x 100 cm. Funds are raised by making a donation for blankets and proceeds go to support programs aiding women in anti-violence centers. Our goal is to cover the Esplanade with 10,000 squares (1,111 blankets), and we need your support to make it happen—every square counts!
Your support would play a crucial role in ensuring the success of Crafted for Courage and making a tangible difference in the lives of women in our community. Together we can create change! We would be honored to have members and federates of the Montreal Council of Women involved. If your organization can engage members to contribute or would like to explore other ways to participate, please contact Nori Bortoluzzi by phone at (514) 825-0005 or by email .
Media Coverage
Check out recent articles highlighting the project and its impact:
- Place Ville Marie blanket project is stitching together aid for women’s shelters | Montreal Gazette
- CBC Montreal Weekend News report
- Previous work in Modena, Italy, March 12, 2023:
- Selywn house School-Viva Vittoria Nori Bortoluzzi interview:
Stay in the loop
Follow Crafted fro Courage for the latest updates, participant stories, and sneak peeks of the incredible artwork in progress:
By creating a public art installation of knitted and crocheted blankets, we hope to bring attention to this critical issue, show solidarity for those affected and raise funds to help provide financial assistance to survivors. Together, we’re crafting more than blankets—we’re crafting courage, hope, and change.