Charlene and Eric Kerr with their table guests at Glow!

Thank you to our Gala emcee, CHEK News’ Tess van Straaten, and Auctioneer, Tony Joe, for making the night memorable. And, thank you to all of the volunteers who helped with the event – we couldn’t have done it without you! For a complete list of supporters of VWTH’s Glow! Gala, click here. 

Please take a moment to see a few pictures here.

To see the video we produced for the Gala, and to commemorate 50 years in our community, please click here:

50 Years of New Beginnings

PhotoVoice Project on Display 

In our last E-news, we told you about our PhotoVoice project, a new VWTH 50+ program where, over an eight-week period, participants were empowered and encouraged to express their personal voice through photography. The theme for the project was “What does HOME mean to you?”.

The project is now complete, and we are proud to say PhotoVoice has found a place to exhibit the thoughtful work of our clients. From June 26 to July 28, please visit the Saanich Municipal Hall (780 Vernon Ave.), Upper Gallery, to view this free display and read our clients’ personal narrative about each piece. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15

The World Health Organization defines seniors’ abuse and neglect as: “… a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elder abuse can take various forms such as financial, physical, psychological and sexual. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.” And, a survey conducted by the provincial Office of the Seniors Advocate (OSA) found that 28% of respondents had witnessed an incident of abuse or neglect of a senior.

Elder abuse and neglect is a growing area of concern and a human rights issue that can go unnoticed. VWTH continues to offer counselling, outreach, group, and housing programs specific to the needs of older women affected by intimate partner violence.

We continue to advocate as well. Last month, VWTH senior programs manager, Karlee Grant, presented at the ‘Safe Havens: Emergency Shelter Solutions for Older People in Canada’ – a national online symposium focused on sheltering options for older victims of elder abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, please call our 24-hour Crisis and Information Line at 250-385-6611, or email us at info@vwth.bc.ca. 

Father's Day - June 16

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and father figures, grandfathers, uncles, sons, and brothers who foster relationships of respect and equality, healing and learning, free of gender-based violence and abuse. VWTH is proud to be supported by countless men and boys who help our mission and raise awareness to take a stand and work to break the intergenerational cycle of intimate partner violence and abuse.

To read a recent VWTH article about how men can help prevent intimate partner violence, click here.

It was 1974 when the first Emergency Shelter was opened by Victoria Women’s Transition House, which means that 2024 is our 50th Anniversary! Do you have memories that you would like to share? Were you a past member of staff, volunteer, board member or client? Please add your contact information to our “Alumni” list through the form on our website – you can share a story with us there too!

One alumni shared the following:

I was an overnight Women’s Counsellor for a number of years, while pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree, in Child & Youth Care, graduating in May 1995, and my Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, graduating in May 1999. Working with the women who came through Victoria Women’s Transition House, was an honour and a gift... (I) helped them to understand what spousal abuse is, how it affects them and their children, (and) to be witness to them taking back their power and moving forward with their lives.

~ Kari A.

You can email communications@vwth.bc.ca to share a story, memory, or to let us know what VWTH means to you.

Our Spring fundraising campaign is still underway! It’s not too late to get involved and make a difference in the lives of women and children impacted by intimate partner violence. Click the button below to make a donation now! 

To hear more about a client's first-hand experience, please watch the video below:

Territory Acknowledgment

It is with much respect to the Lekwungen 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.