As an organization, we strive to support and empower all women and children escaping intimate partner violence and abuse. Furthermore, we envision living in communities free of intimate partner violence and abuse. Without community support, our work would not be possible.
This year has presented unique challenges that we continue to overcome. We thank our staff and volunteers for their work and everyone who has generously offered individual, corporate and foundation gifts. We also thank organizations that have come together to help fund several important initiatives. These various forms of support have allowed us to carefully adapt our services and programming with COVID-19 safety guidelines in mind and ensure that our clients have access to safe shelter, counselling and supports.
Like all holidays, the Thanksgiving period can be stressful. Anyone seeking support or resources for themselves or someone else can call our confidential 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line at 250-385-6611. VWTH's Crisis & Information Line provides compassionate, judgement-free support and information for women who are experiencing or have experienced intimate partner violence and/or abuse. Concerned family and friends, as well as professionals, can call for support and information. The Crisis Line is operated by trained staff and volunteers.
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October marks Women’s History Month in Canada. This year's theme Because of You celebrates women and girls of the past and present who are making a lasting impact on our country.
Click on the image above to explore an online, interactive Women of Impact in Canada gallery. The gallery highlights 100 exceptional Canadian women and girls who have made an impact in various fields such as politics, the arts and sciences.
In light of the pandemic, a recent opinion piece in the Globe and Mail highlighted the "triumphs and tragedies for gender equality and representation in Canada" and the importance of women continuing to step into various political, corporate and leadership roles to support Canada's economic recovery. While we continue the fight for gender equality, we thank and commend all inspiring women and girls who work toward ensuring that every person can live safely, with respect and equal treatment and opportunities.
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Healing Through the Arts Program for Older Women
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Join a small group of older women for a free, eight-week art group through our Healing Through the Arts: Multidisciplinary Arts and Ceramics for Older Women program. Two group sessions are available:
Fall Group participants will use multidisciplinary arts to explore various techniques and mediums, such as collage, visual dream journaling, painting and listening activities including spoken word, music and collaborative storytelling.
Winter Group participants will focus on self-expression and inner reflection through ceramics.
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For more information and to register for a group, call 250-385-2103.
VWTH thanks the CRD Arts Commission and individual donors for support of this program.
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Note: VWTH will be hosting this program in a safe, expansive indoor space with ample fresh air and ventilation and with protocols regarding on-site physical distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing procedures. All participants will receive their own box of materials and supplies.
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Our sincere thanks to the many folks who have come forward with their donations to support Transition House this fall. We wish to thank the generosity of the Eldon and Anne Foote Fund through Edmonton Foundation; the Provincial Employees Community Services Fund (PECSF); the Estate of Walter Charles Cownden; the Modern Real Estate Team; and Simon and Annette Murphy, among many others.
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National Bank Financial
Thank you to National Bank for their generous donation. A special thank you to Anna, Rita and Qian from National Bank Financial in Duncan who visited VWTH last month to present the cheque donation.
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Lowe's Tillicum Centre #Heroescampaign
This year, Lowe's at Tillicum Centre selected VWTH as their #Heroescampaign recipient! Throughout September, staff members Ken, Kim and Chris raised funds to support VWTH. For each contribution of two dollars, Lowe’s Canada added one dollar. Thank you for your support.
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Pumpkins for Halloween!
VWTH supporters, Kathy and Ron donated four friendly pumpkins and some Halloween goodies to the Transition House Emergency Shelter. Thank you.
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100+ Women Who Care Victoria
A huge thank you to 100+ Women Who Care Victoria for selecting Victoria Women's Transition House as the September 2020 donation recipient and raising more than $16, 000 to go towards the important work we do supporting women and children impacted by gender-based violence. We are so grateful.
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Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This year, our AGM was held virtually over Zoom and was a terrific success. Thank you to all who attended. A warm welcome to our new Board Members and sincere thanks to our retiring Board members, we are grateful for your service.
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Orange Shirt Day
Held on September 30 each year, Orange Shirt Day honours Indigenous children and residential school survivors and aims to raise awareness about the history of residential schools. To show support and raise awareness, VWTH staff and supporters wore orange t-shirts. Click here to learn more about Orange Shirt Day.
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Every year, generous community donors are paired with women and children who have accessed services through VWTH to create personalized Christmas Hampers. These gifts bring great joy to our clients who have been in our programs this past year. Christmas can be a stressful time—the Hamper Program allows clients to have one less pressure to worry about.
While this year's Christmas Hamper Program may look a little different due to COVID-19, we are determined to ensure that women and children who have escaped intimate partner violence and abuse can participate in this uplifting holiday program.
We invite community members to join the program and become donors. For more information, please email our Program Coordinator at [email protected]. We thank all generous donors for their heartwarming contributions.
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Here are some articles that we shared recently via social media:
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Click the image below to read our Fall Newsletter:
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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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