16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence |
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December 6 commemorates The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, remembering survivors and victims who have experienced gender-based violence and those we have lost to femicide. We remember the parents, the children, the friends, the communities that endure the ongoing pain of losing loved ones. Today, we honour all women and girls impacted by gender-based violence.
December 6 falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual United Nations campaign used around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The theme for this year’s campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, 2021, is Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now! Use these online materials and join the campaign using #16days.
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Today and every day, Victoria Women's Transition House continues to support and empower women and children escaping violent and abusive situations. Together, united as individuals and communities, we can help to address and prevent gender-based violence.
Stand with us to end violence and abuse against women and girls.
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Supporting Ourselves During the Holidays and Beyond |
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It is hard to believe that another year has passed and that we will be greeting the New Year in just a few short weeks. Many of us have already started or will be making plans for the Holiday period. This might come in many forms—admiring snowy sceneries, enjoying festive decor and drinks, spending time with loved ones. While there are many ways to enjoy the Holidays, it can also be a time of increased stress and anxiety. |
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In times of stress, there are ways we can support our mental health and wellbeing. Supports can include integrating different coping tools into our day (see image for examples), asking for help from others or both. These forms of self-advocacy empower and can make us feel more in control of the situations around us.
The Holiday period can be difficult, especially for women who are experiencing or who have experienced intimate partner violence and abuse and for children who have witnessed the abuse.
Compassionate, judgement-free support and information is available 24/7, including throughout the Holiday season. Women needing support, as well as concerned family members, friends and professionals, can call our Crisis Line at 250.385.6611
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2021 has continued to be challenging and unpredictable for everybody, especially Victoria Women’s Transition House clients—women and children impacted by violence and abuse. Last year, VWTH changed its Christmas Hamper Program from gifts to gift cards, empowering clients to choose gifts and food of their choice for themselves and their families. By client request, VWTH continues with gift cards for the 2021 Hamper season, matching donors to client families.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is participating in the Hamper Program this year and to those who have contributed in years past. Your gifts mean a lot to their recipients.
Can You Help?
We are still in need of gift card donors—a family, individual, company, club or association—for the Hamper Program. For more information and to become a donor, click here. Questions? please contact the program coordinator at christmas@vwth.bc.ca
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MAID: A Commentary on the Netflix Drama Series |
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One of the most popular shows on Netflix is Maid, a 10-part miniseries filmed in Greater Victoria and adapted from Stephanie Land’s memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. The show follows a young, single mother fleeing an abusive relationship who gets a job as a maid to help make ends meet. Visit our web blog to read VWTH's response to this popular drama.
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Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
On November 14, VWTH volunteers (pictured) and staff hosted a lively information table at the Canadian Tire-Hillside Centre. As well, news articles were shared each day in the Victoria Times Colonist, which included inspiring stories from courageous survivors and local resources for women and children. Victoria Women’s Transition House thanks the Department of Justice Canada for financial support of this important community awareness project. Thanks also to Canadian Tire-Hillside Centre and the Times Colonist. Visit our website to learn more.
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Souper Kids at Claremont Secondary!
On November 19, grade 9 students from Claremont Secondary School spent the morning safely preparing and packaging delicious soup for Victoria Women's Transition House, working together with the Victoria Soup Sisters chapter.
Among the volunteers were teacher Erin McAvoy and Sean Hayes, Principal at South Island Distance Education School, who was honoured to be invited back to the school to help the students "chop, simmer and stir their way to dozens of litres of soup."
VWTH's volunteer coordinator, Christy, was invited to speak with the students about their wonderful philanthropic efforts and our Volunteer Program. A big thank you to everyone at Claremont Secondary who made this initiative possible. The women and children using our services will take great comfort in the bowls of steaming, heartwarming soup.
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Camosun College Volleyball Games
Did you know that rates of intimate partner violence are highest among young Canadians? – Statistics Canada
In late November, our communications manager, Anum (pictured), visited Camosun College's Interurban Campus to host an information booth at the Camosun Chargers' Women's and Men's Volleyball Games. Marking the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Victoria Women's Transition House was happy to collaborate with the College to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and abuse in the community. Thank you, Camosun College, for your support!
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Island Wonderland
Brighten up the Holidays with larger-than-life displays holograms, projection mapping and lasers! Island Wonderland is an immersive Holiday experience that will take place December 15–31 at Cowichan Exhibition Park. With seven shows a day, friends and families can add this fun activity to the Holiday bucket list. Click here for more information and tickets. Partial proceeds will be donated to VWTH and other community organizations.
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New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim
Smart Dolphins IT Solutions will be kicking off 2022 with their 5th Annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in support of Victoria Women's Transition House.
Taking place at the south end of Esquimalt Lagoon on January 1, 2022, from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, the community is invited to dress up and participate in the fun event with a $5 donation or a $30 donation that includes a commemorative t-shirt.
There will be prizes awarded for the best costumes, the first person in the water (fully immersed), as well as random draw prizes. Register for the event here. Thank you, Smart Dolphins! We'll see you there!
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As the year draws to a close, we are grateful to everyone who has supported Victoria Women's Transition House over the past 12 months. Folks have come together to offer all types of support, including cash donations and gifts-in-kind. Others have found unique ways to organize and safely host virtual and in-person fundraising initiatives and special projects, while volunteers have given their time to support our organization and the women and children we serve.
To all who help us in our work to support and empower survivors escaping intimate partner violence and abuse, thank you.
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Painted Pears Art Auction and Fundraiser
A big thank you to Marion Evamy (pictured, left) and Bobb Hamilton from the Red Art Gallery, who organized the Painted Pears auction fundraiser. The project raised $22,250 to support Victoria Women's Transition House, with a cheque presented to our development and communications director, Susan Howard (pictured, right) in mid-November.
30 Canadian artists, including Marion, contributed to Painted Pears, each using their original artistry to transform a life-sized concrete pear. We are deeply grateful to the artists who donated their time and talent; to Bobb and Marion for all their work on this fundraising project; and to the donors who added cash donations and matching gifts to enhance the contribution to VWTH. A wonderful, creative initiative—THANK YOU ALL!
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This month, our Food Security Project welcomes two community partners. |
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South Island FarmHub
We are excited to reconnect with the South Island FarmHub for a second year! Developed by the Victoria Community Food Hub Society, the FarmHub has expanded from local, fresh produce to Island-raised organic meats, cheeses, and processed foods. We are thankful to FarmHub who have generously gifted VWTH $1,000 in “Farm Bucks” to be used throughout the winter season.
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Island Gold Eggs
We are pleased to receive a generous donation from Island Gold Eggs, a division of Burnbrae Farms. Retail sales manager, Charlene Boychuk, went above and beyond and secured an ongoing donation of eggs for Transition House—a full case of 180 eggs each month! Eggs are indispensable as an easy source of protein for our clients and will also be enjoyed as part of Shelter baking and Holiday treats!
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A Treat for the Kitchen!
This Kitchen Aid standing mixer with attachments was donated to our Emergency Shelter by VWTH supporter, Ally Guevin. Thank you, Ally!
The mixer sits in the Shelter kitchen ready for volunteers and staff to make lots of Holiday treats for women and children at the Shelter. We are sure everyone is looking forward to lots of cookie decorating and Holiday sweets!
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Salish Sea Stones
Thank you to Pete Sheppard from Salish Sea Stones for creating and donating inspiring stone art for the women and children at VWTH. The stones allow for positive and creative ways of processing traumatic events for those who create and find them in their path. The stones will be placed around VWTH's Emergency Shelter and shared with children participating in our PEACE/Children Who Witness Abuse Program.
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If you have recently made a donation to Victoria Women's Transition House in support of our Winter Fund Drive, thank you.
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This Holiday, please consider a donation to Victoria Women’s Transition House and to our Winter Fund Drive.
Your gift to Victoria Women’s Transition House lets us help others and makes the holiday period a little brighter for women and children leaving intimate partner violence and abuse.
Read our Winter Newsletter to learn about Holidays at the Shelters, our Family Law Advocacy and Youth and Children's Programs, how to engage men and boys in anti-violence work and more. Thank you for your generosity and support. We wish you safe and Happy Holidays.
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Here are some articles that we recently shared via social media:
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Victoria Women’s Transition House Society collaborates, advocates and educates to address and prevent intimate partner violence and abuse of women and children through supportive shelter, housing, counselling and other community-based services.
Victoria Women's Transition House Society is a registered charity.
Our charitable registration number is: 10817 3501 RR0001.
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Stay Connected with us on social media: |
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It is with much respect to the Lkwungen and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples of the WSÁNEĆ, Esquimalt, and Songhees Nations, on whose traditional territories the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society is located, that we make this acknowledgment with the expressed shared hope to live in communities free of intimate partner violence.
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