Practice Self-Love and Self-Care this February

Valentine’s Day marks February as the month of love, but often this day can bring negative thoughts and feelings to those facing trauma from intimate partner violence.

At Victoria Women’s Transition House (VWTH), we focus on self-love during this day, this month, and always. On February 14, we make the day special for the women and children staying with us at our Emergency Shelter by hosting a self-care day. Residents will spend the day celebrating themselves and treating themselves by making a natural face exfoliant, and enjoying a Tea Party together. Pictured is last year's self-care day at the Shelter.

Thanks to our generous donors, everyone will receive small gifts as well. At VWTH, we try to show our clients that a sense of self-worth is at the heart of healing. 

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, but we believe that prevention of gender-based violence starts with education year-round and at a young age. As part of our Youth Engagement Project, VWTH is hosting a workshop for youth aged 15-17, “Empower and Renew: A Youth Retreat for Wellness and Change.”

Youth are invited to join us for two days of growth, learning, and self-care. Participants will explore wellness, self-care practices, and social activism (including discussions on gender-based violence), all while connecting with nature and creativity.

This FREE new group workshop, March 26 and 27, 10am - 4pm, includes lunch and snacks. Space is limited. Please call our Community Office at 250-592-2927 for more information, and to register by March 15.

Each February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.

The 2025 national theme for Black History Month is: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” This theme acknowledges the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership and the legacy being built for future generations. 

This year Black History Month will be recognized at several events around Victoria.

Mentor Tea – 1st annual British Columbia Black History Awareness Society Tribute to our Elders & Mentors

Sunday, February 16, 1-3pm

Baumann Centre at Pacific Opera Victoria, 925 Balmoral Road

The event highlights the elders in our community that do so much to uphold culture, share history and raise the next generation. Bring your parents, family members, or mentors and have the opportunity to share stories and highlight the amazing people in our lives. Hosted by the BC Black History Awareness Society. BCBHAS is honoured to have Louise Rose, herself an icon, elder and mentor; to help pay tribute to, and celebrate, our elders and mentors.

Ross Bay Cemetery Tour

Sunday, February 23, 2-3pm (you should arrive by 1:45pm to purchase your ticket)

Ross Bay Cemetary, 1495 Fairfield Road

IN-PERSON $5.00/person; $2.00 for OCS/BCBHAS Members

The tour starts at the cemetery entrance across from Stannard Ave. At this entrance is the new Memorial Gate. We understand this is a popular time to exercise your canine buddies, however the Cemetery has a NO DOGS Policy. The tour will take place whether rain or sunshine.

ABOUT THE TOUR: Did you know there are more than 50 Black Pioneers and/or their descendants at Ross Bay Cemetery? This is a guided tour of a few of their graves and others who were influential in the migration of Blacks to the British Colony. The tour hosts are James Gatsi, CEO of a local tech company – CL Web Developers and BC Black History Awareness Society member; and John Adams, Old Cemeteries Society member and owner-operator of “Discover The Past Walking Tours”, Victoria.

Celebrate Music and Words

Monday, February 24, 7-9pm

Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue

Afro-Cuban saxophonist Noedy Hechavarria Duharte will perform his original music, often described as highly poetic and complex with strong harmonies. Hosted by the BC Black History Awareness Society at the Belfry Theatre. (Admission by donation)

Dub Performance as Decolonial Praxis

Tuesday, February 25, 5-6:30pm

Phoenix Theatre at UVic

See award-winning playwright, performer, director, and activist d’bi.young anitafrika as they speak about decolonial theatre performance. After the talk, join the book launch for their latest poetry collection: dubbin poetry: the collected poems of d’bi.young anitafrika. (Free)

African Eloquence Youth Celebration

Saturday, March 1, 4-8:30pm

David Lam Auditorium at UVic

In its seventh year, this cultural pageant features traditional clothing, artwork, performances, and educational presentations. Youth of African heritage from Island middle and high schools will present information on various African countries, cultures, and issues, with a panel of judges selecting the top presentation. (Free)

Save the date! Mark Saturday, May 10 on the calendar – the VWTH Glow Gala will be returning to Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Step into an evening of elegance, creativity and connection at Glow, a glamorous Gala fundraiser for Victoria Women’s Transition House. Celebrate the courage and resilience of women and children impacted by intimate partner violence while raising funds for an important community organization.

Guests will enjoy a stunning plated dinner alongside food, fashion, music, art, and crafts in a setting as inspiring as the cause is uplifting. The evening includes a welcome beverage and Cocktail Reception, plated dinner, silent and live auctions, and fund-a-need – an opportunity for guests to support an identified program or project at Victoria Women’s Transition House.

This year we are raising funds for VWTH programs supporting children and families.

For ticket sales and silent auction details, please visit our website.

Special thanks to Dominic Hall Photography for this video of last year's Glow Gala.

Fashion Splash

Saturday, February 15

Nomad Market Events are once again hosting Victoria's premier local designer fashion event, Fashion Splash, at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre, on Saturday, February 15. The event features a runway-style fashion show showcasing the talented local fashion industry here on Vancouver Island.

Victoria Women’s Transition House is excited and honoured to be the beneficiary of the Fashion Splash silent auction proceeds. Please visit the Fashion Splash silent auction website here to bid on some great items, and raise funds for much-needed programs and services offered to clients of the VWTH.  

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit their website. 

Stolen Sisters Memorial March

Sunday, February 16

Please join us to honour and remember murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

The Victoria Stolen Sisters March will be taking place on Sunday, February 16 at 11:45am, meeting at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria and marching to the BC Legislature where people will hear speakers, enjoy songs, and share food.

More details can be found here. 

Victoria Goddess Run

Sunday, March 2

Join us on Sunday, March 2 for the 14th Annual Goddess Run at Beaver Lake for this annual 5km and 10km community event. Victoria Women’s Transition House is grateful to be one of the charity beneficiaries at the Goddess Run – an inspiring event that empowers and celebrates women.

This year, our VWTH Goddess Run Charity Champion is VWTH Executive Director Makenna Rielly, walking with her team the Koipanions. Says Makenna: “The Goddess Run is about compassion with a goal to help raise funds, combined with a not-too-strenuous venue and an emphasis on fun. The Koipanions will proudly wear our Koi fish hats to help keep us motivated, to laugh, to live life, to work on fitness goals, and to raise funds for and awareness about gender-based violence along the way."

Goddess Run registration and fundraising is now underway. Please lace up those runners today and join us at this fun, inspiring event.

You can also support Makenna and the Koipanions' VWTH fundraising efforts here. All donations over $10 to VWTH through the Goddess Run will receive a tax receipt.

Victoria Women's Expo

Sat., March 8 and Sun., March 9

We’d love to see you at this year’s Victoria Women’s Expo, March 8 and 9 at Pearkes Recreation Centre. Visit us the VWTH info booth at the event, meet some of our dedicated volunteers and enter to win an exciting prize in our free Lucky Draw. We will be there to share information about intimate partner violence, and how VWTH can help through supports and services. For more information about the Expo, click here.

International Women's Day

Saturday, March 8

This International Women’s Day, Saturday, March 8, starting at 10am, join us at the Ambrosia Centre, 638 Fisgard Street.

This year, committee members of the International Women’s Day Society are planning an event, gathering women of different backgrounds to come together to celebrate the gains women have made over the last 50 plus years and take stock of the challenges still facing us.

The day will feature speakers on the international, Indigenous, transwomen and working women’s movements. It will give participants an opportunity to share their own stories, and we will take the time to celebrate with song and poetry. More information will come in our March E-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.