VWTH Camps Blend Healing, Creativity – and Dinosaurs!  

In July, the annual two-week-long PEACE/Children Who Witness Abuse Summer Camp at VWTH took place, offering children a supportive and joyful space to learn, grow, and play.

Mornings at camp focused on developing healthy, non-violent coping tools through sessions on boundaries, abuse, anger, safety, self-esteem, and celebration. The week began with the theme of Feelings, where campers expressed their emotions through painting – each canvas reflecting a unique and powerful emotion.

In the afternoons, campers enjoyed a range of fun activities. A highlight of this year’s camp was a private visit to Dino Lab, where they explored a prehistoric gallery, watched real fossil restoration, and tried their hand at fossil work using specialized pneumatic tools. A big thank you to our friends at Dino Lab for creating such a memorable and exciting day!

Additional afternoon adventures included bowling, WildPlay Adventure course, a trip to Beacon Hill Park, swimming, paddleboarding, and an eco-cruise – making the time spent at camp both meaningful and unforgettable.

A Girls Summer Camp is planned for early August.

VWTH campers painted their Feelings on canvas

Fun exploring fossils and dinosaurs at Dino Lab

Paddleboarding and enjoying nature together

Youth Empowerment in Action VWTH Selected for YPI Grant

This year, Victoria Women’s Transition House proudly participated in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) – a program that empowers secondary school students to engage with local charities and advocate for causes they care about.

As part of the initiative, students formed teams, selected a local organization, and conducted research before presenting on the charity’s mission and impact. The goal: to win a $5,000 grant for their chosen organization.

Three student groups chose VWTH as their focus, and a VWTH staff member supported them by answering questions and providing insight into our programs and services for women and children impacted by intimate partner violence.

We’re thrilled to share that one of the groups, from Stelly’s Secondary School, won the grant and generously directed the $5,000 award to VWTH. We are grateful for their advocacy, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in our community.

Finding Connection, Healing, and Creativity at VWTH

Victoria Women's Transition House offers a range of free, supportive group programs designed to foster healing, empowerment, and connection for women impacted by intimate partner violence.

Wednesday Group

Wednesdays, Ongoing, 12 – 2pm

If you’ve experienced intimate partner violence, you are not alone. This weekly group offers a confidential, supportive space to connect, heal, and grow with other survivors.

Contact: wednesdaygroup@vwth.bc.ca to learn more

Turning the Tide

Tuesdays, Aug. 5 – Oct. 7, 1:30 – 4:30pm

A creative journey toward healing and self-discovery… Join us for “Turning the Tide”, a free 8-week, arts-based program that invites participants to explore stories, art, and inner worlds through mixed-media and information sharing. The focus is on empowerment, connection, and self-discovery through creative expression. Supplies are provided.

Contact: 250-592-2927, ext. 223

Photovoice

Thursdays, Sept. 25 – Nov. 13, 9:30 – 11:30am

Photography is a powerful tool for documenting life and sharing experiences. Join us for eight sessions and learn how to take the best shots and how to use them in a photo-based story. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a public art exhibition, if they choose.

Contact: 250-592-2927, ext. 223

Healing Through the Arts: Pottery Workshops

Fridays, Oct. 3 – Nov. 28, 4 – 6pm

This free 8-week hands-on pottery program offers a creative, calming space led by a professional ceramics artist. Connect with others, explore your creativity, and experience the healing power of art. Supplies are provided.

Contact: 250-592-2927, ext. 223

Strength

Tuesdays, Oct. 21 – Dec. 16, 12:30 – 2:30pm

Join a small group for a free 9-week program to reflect on and build personal strengths, wellness and resilience. Topics include: self-care, goal setting, healthy aging, boundary-setting, communication, and more.

Contact: 250-592-2927, ext. 223

Here are a few articles about gender-based violence in Canada that you may find interesting.

• ‘It’s being levelled’: advocates worried about potential 81 per cent cut to Women and Gender Equality Canada’s budget by 2028 - The Hill Times
• How changes to Canada's Criminal Code could better address intimate partner violence – CBC Early Edition
• After the Hockey Canada verdict, advocates fear survivors will fall silent - Globe and Mail
• Hockey Canada trial outcome a 'crushing day' for sexual assault survivors, says prof - CBC Radio
• New research highlights tragic intersection between the disappearance of Indigenous women and human trafficking in Canada - Thomson Reuters
• A 'relentless obsession': Family of man accused of domestic murder tried to keep woman safe - CBC News
• B.C. premier seeks further bail reform after woman is killed - Vancouver Sun
• B.C. doctors studying brain injuries in survivors of intimate partner violence - CBC News
• Dating violence tops Saskatchewan RCMP 2024 intimate partner violence stats - Saskatchewan RCMP
• More than just a bad date: Navigating harms on LGBTQ+ dating apps - The Conversation
• Study finds more women opted for IUDs after B.C. made birth control free - Vancouver is Awesome
• Family of mother killed in Kelowna, B.C., calls for changes to justice system in letter to PM - CBC News

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.