Back to School: Violence is Preventable Workshops |
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Research shows that many students experience aggression through the abuse of power in their peer and romantic relationships. Violence is Preventable (VIP) is a violence prevention program that offers interactive, workshop presentations for schools and community groups in the Greater Victoria and Saanich District areas.
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The program raises awareness of dating violence, increases healthy relationship skills and informs students, age 3–18, about where they can go for help, while also developing awareness of school staff. Presentations are 45–75 minutes in length, facilitated by trained counsellors, and are offered free of charge.
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For more information or to book a VIP workshop presentation, contact our VWTH Community Office at 250.592.2927
Watch our VIP video series here and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #VIPtiptuesday for youth-focused tips, tools and information on relationship violence, the cycle of abuse and developing healthy relationships.
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Community Support Spotlight |
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Salty Broad Productions is a local, queer, feminist-led theatre company founded in 2018 by Sarah Anne Murphy and close friends. Their most recent production, Wretched Woman, is a play set to music and was performed by Sarah Anne Murphy, Finn Letourneau and Chase Sander in August at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in support of Victoria Women’s Transition House (VWTH). Read more below.
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Tell us about Wretched Woman
Wretched Woman tells the story of Catherine Snow, the last woman hanged in Newfoundland. I started thinking about writing the play following Snow’s 2012 retrial in St. John's. Almost 200 years following her execution, the modern-day jury acquitted her of all charges surrounding the murder of her husband.
I was instantly fascinated by this story of a woman done wrong by history and have been developing the show (on and off) for many years.
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Pictured left to right: Kathryn Boyd, Stage Manager; Sarah Anne Murphy, Playwright and Actor; and Julie McIsaac, Director. |
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For this latest version, I worked with a fantastic cast, crew, and director on the piece, which I hope to continue developing.
What inspired you to support VWTH?
I am a long-time admirer of VWTH. Since the show deals specifically with domestic violence, it made sense to connect the play to resources like those provided by VWTH—an organization that makes a big difference in our communities. Salty Broad Productions is passionate about creating theatre that uplifts, inspires, and engages with our communities and important issues like those faced by VWTH.
Why does this cause matter to you?
I have always been passionate about women’s rights and anti-violence. As a survivor of domestic violence and abuse, I wanted to help raise awareness for this important organization that does vital work—and supports those who are dealing with the effects of domestic violence.
Thank you to Salty Broad Productions for their support and congratulations to the whole team for their tremendous performance of Wretched Woman.
The interview piece has been edited for brevity and clarity.
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Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Board of Directors of Victoria Women's Transition House invite you to attend our AGM, which will be held on September 21, 2021, from 2:00 pm–3:00 pm over Zoom video conference.
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Join us and a special guest speaker Victoria Pruden (pictured) for updates and highlights as we mark another year serving women and children escaping intimate partner violence and abuse.
Victoria Pruden is a member of the VWTH's Indigenous Advisory Circle, Director of Operations of the Women of the Métis Nation, past Chair of the Métis Women of BC and Métis Nation British Columbia Director and former long-time Executive Director of Bridges for Women.
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This new statuary holiday encourages reflection and will commemorate the true history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools, honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve.
On this day, we hope to better understand and sit with the truth of our shared history, learn from the experiences and knowledge of Indigenous people, organizations and communities, and take actionable steps towards reconciliation.
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Painted Pear Fundraiser: A Pear Affair
Painted Pear by Red Art Gallery is a unique art fundraiser and auction. 30 Canadian artists have contributed their talents to decorating 30 concrete pears. Each one-of-a-kind pear will be auctioned to raise funds for Victoria Women's Transition House. Click here f or more information about the fundraiser, the artists and to view photos of the pears.
The online auction will take place between September 26–October 2. The option to purchase the art pieces ahead of the auction for $400 is also available. Two additional donors have been secured and will match every donation up to $6000, effectively tripling the funds raised.
Painted Pear: Outdoor Drive-Through Preview
See all 30 pears "in-person", on Saturday, September 25, between 1 pm–3 pm at an outdoor, tented display, rain or shine at the Red Art Gallery, 10204 Surfside Place, Sidney.
We are tremendously grateful for the support of Bobb Hamilton and Marion Evamy of the Red Art Gallery, all the “pear” artists and everyone who has participated in the fundraiser to date. Your support helps VWTH provide Shelter and Programs to women and children escaping intimate partner violence and abuse. Thank you.
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October Harvest Moon - Victoria Goddess Run
Have you registered for the virtual Victoria Goddess Run in support of VWTH? You can also support the runners and walkers, including our October Harvest Moon VWTH Charity Champions, Lily and Dandelion (Lily's charming little dog)!
On Saturday, October 30, dressed in Halloween costumes, the duo will start and finish their 5k walk at Paws on Cook (200 Cook St). Come by between 11:30 am–1:30 pm to show your support and cheer Lily and Dandelion alongside Transition House and Paws and Cook staff. A VWTH information booth, with Halloween treats, will also be set up.
Click here to support Lily and Dandelion's journey and follow @goddessrunbc and @VWTHS (that's us!) on Facebook for updates.
Photo Credit: Chris Tiane
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Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
Victims and Survivors of Crime Week will take place from November 14 to 20. This year, with support from the Department of Justice Canada, VWTH will be organizing an awareness initiative called the Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse Project. More details to follow. For more information, visit the Victims Week website.
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Thank you for generous support from Lloyd and Suzanne Anderson, the Barbara and Philip Potash Foundation, the Funke-Furber Fund at Victoria Foundation and for a generous three-year funding commitment from the Eldon and Anne Foote Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation. We thank Lobstick Foundation in support of VWTH's Girls’ Group counselling group. Victoria Women’s Transition House is deeply grateful to the Estate of Myrtle Harper-Jones and to the Estate of Lois Mae Courtright for their generous bequests.
We would also like to thank everyone who has responded to our Fall Fund Drive and invite folks who have not had a chance to make a contribution to consider making a donation today in support of the women and children we serve. Every gift is appreciated. Thank you.
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Supporting our Children's Camps
Thank you to CIBC Wood Gundy/Blue Heron Advisory Group for supporting the Children’s Camps and Violence is Preventable (VIP) program and to CFAX Santas Anonymous for generously supporting our upcoming 2022 PEACE Camp season.
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School Supplies and Colouring Books Donation
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Coffee for Transition House
We are grateful to Joe Kinshella for his energy-boosting donation of Van Houtte coffee for our Shelters, Third Stage Transitional Housing and Community Office locations.
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Provincial Employees Community Service Fund (PECSF)
Thank you BC government employees who supported Victoria Women's Transition House through pledged donations to the Provincial Employees Community Service Fund.
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- September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
- September 21 – International Day of Peace
- September 21 – VWTH's Annual General Meeting
- September 27 – Police and Peace Officer’s National Memorial Day
- September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day
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Fall Newsletter
Read our 2021 Fall Newsletter. Read about what food security looks like at our Shelters and Third Stage Transitional Housing locations; VWTH partnerships with local organizations to empower youth through nature; as well as upcoming events and more.
Here are some articles that we recently shared via social media:
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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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