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"Thank you for all your help and support through everything. I have been blessed to have such wonderful people in my life who have helped me process the rough journey I have been on for what seems like a lifetime. With your support I have found housing, furniture, emotional support, and so much kindness. I finally feel like I am living my best life."
~ Former Third Stage Housing Resident
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Now that February is upon us, the staff and clients at VWTH's Third Stage Housing are busy getting back into routines of programs and supports for residents - single women
aged 40-65 who have left an abusive relationship.
This past month, residents have taken part in several opportunities including completing the Ready to Rent course, to better prepare themselves for the rental market once their time at our Third Stage Housing comes to an end. This month, residents will have the opportunity to participate in an Expressive Arts Workshop using clay, creating their own "Personality Tea Pot."
Regular weekly programs for these women include Open Art Studio, Coffee Groups, Outdoor Adventure Walks, Financial Literacy Training, and Yoga. These activities benefit the women in many ways and help make our Third Stage Housing a positive, inclusive community.
Older women who have experienced abuse have unique needs and challenges. Many have been subjected to years of social isolation combined with pressure to accept abusive behavior as "normal"
. Many more have limited means or are living with a disability in addition to the effects of trauma. As a result, these women may find it difficult to locate and access community supports. Our Older Women's Outreach Program and our Third Stage Housing provide a critical opportunity for these women to receive the support they need to rebuild their lives in a safe, rent-geared-to-income facility.
VWTH's Third Stage Housing offers 22 self-contained units of affordable, supportive housing for older, single women who are not in fear for their own safety but may be seeking support from Transition House counselling, groups or outreach programs.
For more information about Third Stage Housing, please call 250-385-2103.
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Soup Sisters Victoria
is excited to announce a new partnership with
Camosun College
and the Culinary Arts program. Together, these two organizations continue to support Victoria Women's Transition House
.
Soup Sisters participants will experience working in a professional teaching kitchen under the expert guidance of a certified Chef.
The culinary arts program at
Camosun College
is highly recognized, and its alumni have ascended to the very top of the food service industry and beyond. By applying these standards of culinary excellence to this exceptionally worthwhile initiative, Soup Sisters instructors
and participants together will help improve the lives of women and their children across our region.
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Join Soup Sisters at their next Soup Making Event!
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Soup Sisters will be making soup for VWTH on
Wednesday, February 21st, from
6pm-9pm at
Camosun College - Classroom Restaurant (4461 Interurban Rd) and are looking for more participants!
Events are social evenings with lively conversation, chopping, laughter and warm kitchen camaraderie that culminate in a simple,
sit-down supper of soup, salad, bread and wine for all participants. Each event produces approximately 150-250 servings of fresh soup that supplies Victoria Women's Transition House with nourishing and nurturing soup each month.
Soup Sisters charges a $55 participation fee per person to cover the expenses of ingredients for the soups, the venue, clean up, equipment, supervision, and a professional Chef. The finest ingredients are always used for the soups provided for women, children and youth.
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Join us for our Donor Cultivation Breakfast and spread awareness of the services that VWTH offers women, with or without children fleeing domestic abuse.
We are looking for eight friendly VWTH donors who are committed and passionate about our Agency and our cause to host a table of four guests at an upcoming VWTH Donor Cultivation Breakfast.
Table Hosts will secure four individuals - friends, family or colleagues - who are not VWTH donors to join them at a VWTH Donor Cultivation Breakfast at a convenient downtown location in the early Spring. Each table is co-hosted by a program counsellor and all guests will enjoy a light breakfast and a group presentation spotlighting our VWTH shelter and counselling programs and services. No cost to you or your guests - other than a charitable donation! Interested? Call or email Susan Howard, 250-592-2927 ext 210 or [email protected]
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Currently our Emergency Shelter is in great need of new women's clothing and lounge wear. Often women leave home with very little. If you have NEW women's clothing, the Shelter residents would be most grateful. We need the following items:
- Yoga Pants
- Slippers
- Pajamas
- Housecoats
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- Sweat Pants
- Sweatshirts
- T-Shirts
- Socks
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All sizes are needed, but particularly size small. |
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Blank Journals/Notebooks Needed
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At VWTH, we encourage clients to write in a
journal or
notebook to record their thoughts and experiences at the Shelter or as they access our counselling programs and supports. Women use blank journals for all programs, and we frequently run short. VWTH is appreciative of any gifts of
blank notebooks or journals.
For more information regarding clothing, journals or other donations, please contact
Emily at
[email protected] or call
250-592-2927 ext 213.
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VWTH welcomes 13 new volunteers who joined our volunteer program this January. Volunteers help in ever
y way, from providing support at our Community Office, to assisting at specia
l outreach events, working at the Shelter, supervising children while their mothers attend support groups, and assisting cooking programs at our third-stage housing.
A special shout-out to two super star volunteers: Joanne Holyoak and Judy Wainwright. These two phenomenal women were exceptional Holiday Hamper volunteers. They showed up on-call every time they were needed and drove and delivered hampers all day.
We also say goodbye to volunteer Michelle Mah, who has helped VWTH for two years. Thank you for all your support, Michelle!
To all our volunteers, we couldn't do it without you. Your help makes everything we do to support women and children in our community a possibility. For all your acts of service, big and small, our most heartfelt thanks!
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please check our website for our current opportunities or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
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Thank you Raymond James Canada Foundation
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Kirsty Thomson of Willow Wealth Management of Raymond James presented two $5000 donation cheques from the Raymond James Canada Foundation to Susan Howard of Victoria Women's Transition House and Stephen White of Dance Victoria. These generous contributions are in addition to Kirsty's sponsorship of Cherish - a fashion show fundraiser supporting both non-profit groups. Thank you Kirsty, and thank you, Raymond James Canada Foundation.
Just announced: Cherish 2018 will be held Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Union Club. Please stay tuned for more details.
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An enormous thank you to the
City of Victoria - Local Government for their generous support of our
Women's Drop-In Support Group this past year. We are the grateful recipients of the City's Strategic Plan Grant which helped make this program a huge success.
Our Drop-In program reaches out to women survivors of domestic violence and provides them with a safe and supportive group setting in which to share and learn tools for healing. We hope to continue this program in the upcoming year and to impact the lives of many more women in our community.
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Thank you Western Communities Foundation
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Thank you Western Communities Foundation for
awarding VWTH a grant
of $5000 toward much needed capital upgrades at our Emergency Shelter.
We are very appreciative of this wonderful gift.
Pictured is Muriel Sitter (right), Director of the Insurance Services Centre at Coast Capital Insurance Services Ltd presenting a cheque to Susan Howard of VWTH.
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One Yoga - Karma Charity of the Month
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One Yoga Victoria has selected VWTH for its Karma Charity of the Month from March 1st - 31st. During the month of March, the first yoga class fee for new students will be directed to supporting VWTH programs and services for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Located in James Bay
, One Yoga focuses on vinyasa (flow) yoga and believes that through steady practice all people - regardless of age, gender, race, or religion - can experience the oneness that is yoga.
If you're interested in signing up, contact the One Yoga Studio at 250-383-3933.
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I
n case you missed it...
Here are some interesting articles that we shared recently via social media.
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society, working collaboratively, provides shelter, support, counselling and education to women of all ages, with or without children, so that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships.
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society is a registered charity.
Our charitable registration
number is: 10817 3501 RR0001.
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