VWTH January E-News

Welcoming the New Year...

Happy New Year!

With 2021 behind us, we look to the year ahead with great expectations and hope for a healthier and more equitable future. The COVID-19 pandemic, increase in frequency and violence of intimate partner abuse, and systemic racism and colonialism have tested us as a nation and as a community. We know these challenges will continue in 2022, but we are stronger and more resolved to stand with our community, to do our part to strengthen social safety networks and to inspire growth and healing in all that we do.

As we embark on this New Year, Victoria Women’s Transition House (VWTH) continues our commitment to provide emergency shelter, counselling and support to vulnerable women and children. We continue to adhere to strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols; move forward with reconciliation and enhanced services for Indigenous women and children; and announce final details for an exciting second stage housing project in the Westshore.

While we reflect on the successes and the challenges we overcame in 2021, there is still work to be done. Last month, a CBC investigation review of domestic violence homicides was released, detailing alarming accounts and statistics of 392 cases of intimate-partner homicides that took place in Canada over a five-year period.

With the ongoing commitment of our board of directors, staff, volunteers, supporters and advocates, VWTH enters 2022 encouraged and motivated, moving forward with courage and confidence. We are grateful to everyone who enables us to empower and make a positive difference in the lives of women and children impacted by intimate partner violence and abuse.

Thank you for your ongoing support, we look forward to another inspiring New Year, together.

-Makenna and Parm

Holidays at Victoria Women's Transition House

The Holiday Season at Transition House is always an energetic atmosphere filled with hustle and bustle—and December 2021 was no different. Staff and volunteers helped settle and support new and existing clients, organized Holiday-themed activities and sorted through donations brought in by individuals and organizations.

Residents across our sites enjoyed fun, Holiday-inspired activities such as Christmas tree and gingerbread house decorating; Christmas wreath and ceramic ornament crafting; adding notes of gratitude to the Christmas tree on-site; and enjoying complimentary, digital access to Dance Victoria's ballet presentation of the Ballet Memphis' Nutcracker.

Delicious Holiday meals and freshly baked goodies such as cookies and banana bread were caringly baked and enjoyed throughout the winter break. On Christmas Eve, VWTH staff delivered delicious meals generously prepared and cooked by chefs at the Victorian at McKenzie retirement residence. Thank you Victorian-Atria Retirement Canada.

Every woman received self-care gift bags donated by community members personalized with hand-made, heart-shaped felt ornaments and all the children awoke to stockings and gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Plush teddy bears, donated by BC Liquor Stores through their Share-a-Bear Program and the Victoria Royals Hockey Club, were distributed. Also, through our Christmas Hamper Program, close to 300 Gift Card Hampers were donated, empowering women accessing our services to choose Holiday gifts and food of their choice for themselves and their families.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the Holiday period special and kinder for women and children escaping abusive situations. Thank you.

Update: Older Women's Outreach

With a focus on social engagement and connection, several weekly drop-in groups, including the art and coffee groups, continue for residents at our Third Stage Transitional Housing. A new 8-week group based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) called Living Life to the Full, facilitated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with Transition House, is also being offered.

The Stride group focuses on health and wellness and physical activity. Older women of all levels of accessibility meet for walks, participate in yoga outdoors (weather permitting) and online while following COVID-19 safety protocols. The group will continue on Zoom until it warms up again and plans to return to in-person meetings in the spring.

Past Events

Victoria Royals Game and Teddy Bear Toss

In December, VWTH hosted an information table at the Victoria Royals vs. Vancouver Giants Ice Hockey Game at the Save on Food Memorial Centre in Downtown Victoria. Volunteers and staff helped raise awareness of intimate partner violence and abuse and shared resources with hockey fans.

Adding to the excitement, Connor Diacur, fan experience team lead for the Victoria Royals Hockey Club included VWTH in the annual Teddy Bear Toss, donating two large bags of soft teddies in all shapes and sizes! Thank you to our volunteers and the Victoria Royals for their ongoing support.

Homeward Bound Polar Bear Swim

Over the past year, the Homeward Bound Real Estate team worked towards raising $5000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, directing funds to four local transition houses in Victoria, including VWTH. In a bid to reach the fundraising goal before the end of 2021, Homeward Bound promised clients, supporters, and friends that the team's realtors, Rosemarie and Tom, would participate in a Polar Bear Swim at Willow's Beach on January 1, 2022.

In total, $6000 was raised, surpassing the fundraising goal. As promised, Rosemarie and Tom plunged into the freezing waters, dunked five times each (!) and were joined by family, friends and their two grand puppies. Thanks to Rosemarie, Tom and the whole Homeward Bound Real Estate team for their support and unyielding determination!

Upcoming

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Did you know that rates of intimate partner violence are highest among young Canadians? Statistics Canada reports that 66% of abuse survivors are victimized by their current boyfriend or girlfriend. February will mark Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). Throughout Canada, people and organizations will join together to advocate and raise awareness about teen dating violence.

Keep an eye out for more information on our social media pages. Check out and share our Violence is Preventable (VIP) video series featuring Q&A sessions between VWTH counsellors and youth survivors of dating violence.

Moosehide Campaign

Moose Hide Campaign Day is held every year on February 10. It is a national day where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children and take practical steps for our collective journey of reconciliation.

Register and join the Moose Hide Campaign Day via live stream to witness and engage in traditional ceremonies, hear from keynote speakers and the campaign co-founders and participate in interactive online workshops with traditional knowledge keepers and facilitators. Visit moosehidecampaign.ca to learn more about the initiative.

Thank You

In the lead-up to the Holidays, staff and volunteers at our community office welcomed generous donations from countless individuals and organizations. Folks gave their time, energy, cash donations and gifts-in-kind and helped to brighten the Holiday for women and children staying at Transition House during the Holiday season. To all who have helped and continue to help us in our work to support and empower survivors escaping intimate partner violence and abuse, thank you.

Personal Care and Hygiene Product Drive

Thank you to our Food Security Project community partners South Island FarmHub for organizing a Personal Care and Feminine Hygiene Product Drive for women and children staying at VWTH. Our volunteer coordinator Christy welcomed the donation items at our community office last month.

Click here to learn more about Farmhub's initiatives.

BMO's #Buildbackstonger Campaign

A big thank you to BMO staff members who came together to create and drop off thoughtful "she-care" kits as part of their #buildbackstronger campaign. Led by Kirsten Cameron, Private Wealth, Amanda Mitchell, Assistant Branch Manager and BMO’s lead employee Campaign Chair. The kits included hygiene products, warm weather clothing and sweet treats.

Holiday Gifts and Supplies

DFH realtor, Royal Victoria Marathon's race director and founder of the Victoria Goddess Run, Cathy Noel, dropped off Holiday donations and supplies from Melaleuca – The Wellness Company for Transition House from her clients and friends. Thank you, Cathy.

BC Nurses Union Donation

Thank you to the BC Nurses Union, South Islands Region, for their kind donation to Victoria Women's Transition House to support our programs and services for women and children escaping abusive situations. Carol, VWTH's community education coordinator, was presented with the generous cheque.

100+ Women Who Care Westshore

We are grateful for the support from 100+ Women Who Care Westshore. Janelle (left) presented a $2600 cheque to VWTH's development and communications director, Susan Howard (right), at the VWTH community office. Thank you to Belinda for capturing the generous exchange just ahead of the Holidays.

Ceramic Bowls from Big Mouth Pottery

Thank you to Lisa at Big Mouth Pottery in Victoria for donating an assortment of 10 beautiful hand-made ceramic bowls. We are sure that these will be cherished and enjoyed by Transition House residents for years to come.

Purcell Mountains Trek Fundraiser!

Neil Bosdet, with Bosdet Homes and a realtor with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty in Victoria, participated in a fundraising event in August 2021, hiking six days and 100K through the Purcell Mountains, BC, to raise money for four local women’s shelters, including VWTH. 60+ Royal LePage agents from across the country participated in the hike and raised over $750,000 for shelters across Canada. Thank you, Royal LePage agents, for taking on this wonderful initiative and thank you, Neil! For a glimpse into the Purcell Mountains trek, watch this video.

City of Victoria Housing and Outreach Grant

We are grateful for funding from the City of Victoria and BC Housing for supporting VWTH's Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP). The Program assists women who are at risk of homelessness after leaving an abusive situation and helps them find housing and supports after their stay at our Emergency Shelters. Between 2020-21, 83 women received subsidies through HPP to cover critical expenses such as utility bills, moving and storage fees, as well as rent and security deposits.

Dates for Your Diary

January 14 – Orthodox New Year
January 26 – Bell Let’s Talk