Emergency Shelter Update

February Greetings! Thanks to all of you in the community who continue to support Victoria Women’s Transition House throughout this pandemic with donations, grocery gift cards, hygiene and comfort items for our women and their children and toys and books for the little ones. Transition House staff are always inspired by the tremendous courage and resilience shown by our clients. The children, in particular, adapt quickly to the Shelter environment and diligently follow COVID-19 safety protocols. With an increase in clients and funding support, we have been able to hire additional women’s and children’s counsellors ready to offer safety, counselling and resources to survivors escaping intimate partner violence and abuse. Our two Emergency Shelters continue to remain at capacity. As the only Transition House in the region with the ability to offer safe COVID-19 quarantine facilities for clients, we are faced with ongoing challenges as demand for our services continues. Combined with a regional housing crisis, our clients experience additional challenges finding housing once they leave the Shelter after the 30-day maximum stay. However, our staff continues to work with local housing providers to help women and their children explore all options for safe accommodation. We appreciate your support and thank you for your continued interest and involvement. We also thank the City of Victoria for supporting VWTH's Housing and Outreach Program as we move through the second wave of the pandemic with hope and optimism.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Did you know that rates of intimate partner violence are highest among young Canadians? Victims and survivors are frequently young women and the risk of sexually based crimes is highest between the ages of 15–24 (Statistics Canada, 2011). This month, VWTH will be spotlighting and raising awareness of teen relationship and dating violence. As our Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE)/Children Who Witness Abuse team continues to share resources and guidance on coping with family violence and preventing relationship violence through our Children & Youth Programs, we will be taking it one step further. Keep an eye out on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages with #VWTHcanhelp for info tips, resources and more!

Have you checked out our Violence is Preventable (VIP) Video Series? The videos, featuring VWTH counsellors and youth survivors of dating violence, aims to provide public education about the impact of witnessing abuse and dating violence. For more information about our VIP Program and community resources, contact us at info@vwth.bc.ca or 250-592-2927.

The VIP Program is funded in part by the Viveka Foundation Fund; Pilot Fund for Gender Equality, a collaboration between Community Foundations of Canada and the Equality Fund, with support from the Government of Canada; Silver Gummy Foundation; BC Society of Transition Houses; Newman’s Own Foundation as well as individual donors.

Program Updates

Healing Through the Arts: Home for the Holidays—Clay Workshop Held in mid-December, this fun workshop was organized and facilitated over Zoom by a staff member at our third-stage transitional housing facility. Participants were provided with clay, paper templates and tools and created small clay tea light holders (pictured) and ornaments. I provided a step-by-step guide for how to make the ornaments, and then we spent two hours working together, chatting and getting into the holiday spirit! -Staff Member VWTH staff had access and experience using a kiln and were able to glaze and fire all of the pieces, which were safely returned to the participants in time for Christmas.

STRETCH: Money Management for Women This eight-week program for older women includes topics to effectively manage money through financial and food security education. Sessions take place every Wednesday from 10:30–12:00 through Zoom. Space is available for the upcoming spring session. Click on the flyer for more information and to register, call 250-385-2103 or email patriciam@vwth.bc.ca.

Thank You

LAH Sourcing Ltd and Rhino Work Boutique Thank you to LAH Sourcing Ltd and Rhino Work Boutique who provided five cases of Health Canada approved 1L bottles of hand sanitizer. The Victoria-based medical supply company generously donated 125 cases to various community organizations in need.

Beautiful Monthly Flower Donation Every month, Transition House receives a bouquet of flowers created and safely delivered by Foxglove Flowers. Thank you to the generous community donor for this thoughtful and heartwarming gesture. This January bouquet brightened up our second Shelter location.

Community Support Spotlight

Emerald Day Spa To mark Valentine’s Day on February 14, we want to thank and spotlight a committed VWTH supporter, Tanya Higgin and Emerald Day Spa. Dedicated to providing the best in spa services, this "hidden gem" features Aveda products and a comfortable and safe spa environment with the highest COVID-19 protocols. Pamper yourself this month and support a small, local business that supports Transition House.   I believe strongly in the work of Victoria Women’s Transition House and their support for women and children looking for safety and shelter. Places like Transition House are so important in our community. -Tanya Higgin, Emerald Day Spa   Emerald Day Spa offers manicures, pedicures, massages and waxing services with monthly specials and promotions. Gift cards available.   Voted #1 Best of the City 2020 - Best Skin Care Clinic  Voted #1 Best of the City 2018 & 2019 - Best Day Spa

Upcoming

Lunar New Year—Year of the Ox On February 12, people around the world will celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year, look forward to what lies ahead, celebrate with delicious feasts and connect with family and friends. To everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, we wish you good health and prosperity.

Red Dress Project The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) is a social justice movement in North America formed to reflect the injustice and overrepresentation of indigenous women, girls and two-spirit as victims of violence. The Red Dress Project officially began in 2009 as a public art installation remembering and bringing awareness to the hundreds of indigenous women, girls and two-spirit who had gone missing or had been murdered with no justice in Canada. Every year in mid-February, communities across the country come together to organize and join in Red Dress Projects, as well as Stolen Sisters memorials. A Red Dress Project in Campbell River will be raising awareness by displaying 100 red dresses and shirts along highways 1 and 19 between Victoria and Port Hardy. Read this Chek News article for more information.

Valentines Day—A Month of Compassion As February 14, earmarked as the “day of love” or “Valentine’s Day” approaches, many will reflect on what this day will look like this year. Depending on personal experience, each person will conceptualize this holiday and what it symbolizes, differently. For survivors and those in abusive relationships, this time of year can be particularly difficult. Support is always available. Our Crisis & Information Line, 250-385-6611, is open 24/7. Operated by trained staff, compassionate, judgement-free support and information is offered. Concerned family and friends, as well as professionals, can also call.

Family Day Held on February 15, this holiday recognizes the important contributions that families of all kinds make to our lives and communities. Although we may not be able to get together in person with the people who, for each of us, make up our family, there are lots of ways to mark Family Day, with your “family” or social bubble. In addition to fun outdoor activities, consider visiting the Royal BC Museum’s Virtual Programs on Family Day including Behind the Scenes with Orcas, Animal Portraits for Kids and an at-home presentation of the film Virtual IMAX® Humpback Whales, among others. All events are virtual and registration is free. For more information, visit Royal BC Museum's website.

In Case You Missed It...

Here are some articles that we recently shared via social media:  The teacher who convinced The Bahamas to ban plastic - BBC News 11th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day encourages Canadians to discuss mental health - CP24 Former B.C. broadcaster reclaiming sexist use of the word 'hysterical' - City News 1130  Many lack access to pads and tampons. What are lawmakers doing about it? - NY Times Racism towards Cowichan Tribes denounced by federal minister as COVID-19 vaccinations begin - Chek News Record number of big Hollywood films had female directors in 2020 - The Gaurdian Love, tech and online abuse of women in the time of coronavirus - O Canada The memoir project: How a Quebec woman is trying to preserve a generation’s history endangered by the COVID-19 pandemic - The Globe and Mail

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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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Territory Acknowledgment

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.