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"The hardest part is picking up the phone - walking through your door changed everything. You believed in me and my abilities. It was so good to be believed. Now I'm believing in myself."
- Emergency Shelter Client
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At Victoria Women's Transition House (VWTH), the heart of our programs and services is the 18-bed Emergency Shelter. We provide safe, supportive shelter at a confidential location for up to 30 days for women, with or without children, who have experienced physical, verbal, financial, emotional or sexual abuse in their intimate relationships.
Supported by on-site staff 24 hours a day, we offer emotional support and counselling, including counselling for children who have been exposed to domestic violence and abuse. We help women to develop safety plans and offer weekly support groups on issues such as self-esteem, assertiveness and boundaries.
Many of the women who come to the Shelter fleeing abusive situations have very few resources. We connect them to community programs and services, provide information for income assistance, housing referrals, and legal resources.
For residents who are unable to bring belongings with them, we provide new clothing and toiletries. Thanks to our partnership with Soups Sisters Victoria and Camosun Culinary Arts program, we are able to regularly provide women and children at the Shelter with home-made soups. For more information about Soup Sisters and how you can get involved, visit their website
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Donor Cultivation Breakfast - Hopeful Futures
On Thursday, March 15th, VWTH hosted a breakfast to spread awareness about VWTH programs and services and to encourage members of the community to contribute.
Each table seated a current VWTH supporter, three non-donor guests, and a program staff member. Everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast while making new friends and connections. Staff gave presentations and guests were deeply moved by the testimony of a VWTH client. She spoke to the positive impact that VWTH has had upon her and her family, and how the programs provided the support she needed to rebuild her life.
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Thanks to the generosity of everyone present, over $2,000 was collected to support VWTH programs and services.
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Join a small group of women over the age of 50, for a FREE eight-week program to explore, through art, our experiences and strengths as women aging.
With the use of the creative process, participants create a Wellness Journal. They share, through art and storytelling, their rich inner world, perhaps making new dreams. This program
is open to women of all abilities with supplies provided.
Date: Wednesdays, from May 2 to June 20, 2018
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Location: Windsor Pavilion,
Oak Bay
For more information and to register, please contact
Laurie at 250-592-2927 ext. 223.
Download the event poster
here
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Our sincere thanks to
The Tony and Mignon Fenton Trust
for making this program possible and to Christine Seaville for her generosity and support.
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Our Emergency Shelter is in need of
Welcome Kits
for women and children who come to stay with us for up to 30 days. Full-sized items include:
- Bar soap
- Full-size skin lotion*
- Hair brush and comb
- Full-size shampoo and conditioner*
- Toothbrushes and full-size toothpaste*
- Kleenex tissues
- Tampons, pads and panty liners
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Children's Welcome Kits:
- Full-size, No Tears shampoo and conditioner*
- Full-size bubble bath*
- Flavoured kids toothpaste and soft toothbrushes
- Tub toys
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*Regular, full sized products only, please.
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B*TCHFEST 2018
Tickets are selling out quickly!
Saturday, April 14th, is the annual
B*tchfest, a
private, women-only event where attendees can celebrate and connect with other inspiring
women in our community.
Featuring the all-female band, The Femme Fatales, as well as special guests, the night includes dancing, door prizes, a silent auction and a clothing swap.
Women are encouraged to bring two to three pieces of clean, stylish and gently used clothing to swap or donate.
Purchase your tickets soon at the Red Lion Hotel (inquire anytime at the front desk), or via Deb Rhymer from 3:00-7:30pm at the Sunday Blues Jam at the V Lounge. For more information, p
lease contact Deb at
[email protected]
or 250-592-5764.
**Net proceeds go to Victoria Women's Transition House and Bridges for Women Society**
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Paint Nite
Fundraiser for Victoria Women's Transition House Society
through the Western Communities Foundation
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Join us for a night of friends, painting and fun!
No experience required - anyone who wants to put a brush to canvas is welcome to join the painting party.
P
aint Nite provides your canvas, brushes and an art instructor, who will guide you in creating a beautiful image.
Food and drinks are available for purchase so you can enjoy a beverage or tasty meal while you paint.
Date: Monday, May 7th, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Scallywags Eatery,
1961 Douglas Street
Cost: $45*/person
*$15 from every ticket goes to Victoria Women's Transition House Society.
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SAVE THE DATE
Women, Wine, Golf and Dine
Victoria Golf Club Invitational Event in Support of VWTH
Victoria Golf Club (1110 Beach Dr.)
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Join us for an all-day women's golfing event at the beautiful, scenic ocean-side Victoria Golf Club,
1110 Beach Drive, Victoria.
The festivities include golf, refreshments, dinner, prizes and a silent auction. Net proceeds to VWTH Shelter, programs and services. More details coming soon.
To be put on the Registration List for this event, contact Emily at
[email protected]
We will send you more details when they are available.
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Cherish Returns!
Back by popular demand, Cherish - a Glamorous E
vening of Fashion and Philanthropy,
will be held Thursday,
October 11 at the Union Club of British Columbia.
Join us for another fun-filled evening in support of Victoria Women's Transition House and Dance Victoria with wine, canapés, and an eclectic mix of Victoria's finest dancers as they boogey down the runway to the pulsing urban beat of DJ Jansom.
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Cherish organizing committee after an early morning meeting at the Union Club.
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Dancers will model the latest fashions from
Tulipe Noire Clothing, Outlooks for Men
and
Hughes
with hair by
Carreiro The Studio
and make-up by
Beautycounter/Living Hollis Style. Cherish is generously sponsored by Kirsty Thomson of Willow Wealth Management, Raymond James.
Tickets on sale in May. Email Emily for advance notice and on-sale date as well as opportunities to join our Community Champion donor program at [email protected]
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100+ Women Who Care - Saanich Peninsula
The VIP program
links local schools with our specialized counselors, providing interactive workshops and education to youth about dating violence, healthy relationships, effective communication, boundaries and more. The program aims to break the cycle of violence by raising awareness and providing information to the students, teachers and educators.
Image credit: 100+ Women Who Care - Saanich Peninsula
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Thank You to the Fairmont Empress Hotel
Staff at the Fairmont Empress Hotel present a donation cheque to VWTH's Susan Howard (centre) to mark International Women's Day (March 8th). The Empress Women at Accor Generation Committee Members sold and distributed thank you cards to acknowledge their co-workers and show their appreciation, with card proceeds directed to Victoria Women's Transition House. Thank you, friends!
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Program Funders
VWTH is deeply grateful to community organizations that have supported our programs for children and youth who have witnessed domestic violence and abuse.
Our thanks to the Norgaard Foundation, Peninsula Co-op, TLC Fund for Kids, and the staff at Colliers International, Victoria, for contributing to our Summer 2018 PEACE Camp and Spring 2019 PEACE Camp.
Thank you to Shoppers Drug Mart's Shoppers LOVE. YOU. giving program for contributing to Shine: Girls Group Counselling for teenage and pre-teenage girls who have witnessed domestic violence and abuse.
And our thanks to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and the participating Victoria-area Royal LePage realtors that provided a generous donation to VWTH area of greatest need.
L to R: Janet Henly, Community Programs Manager;
John Shields
representing the TLC Fund for Kids;
Elizabeth O'Brien, Development Manager
Because of our supporters in the community, VWTH is able to make a difference in the lives of children and youth who have been exposed to violence and abuse.
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I
n case you missed it...
Here are some interesting articles that we shared recently via social media.
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society, working collaboratively, provides shelter, support, counselling and education to women of all ages, with or without children, so that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships.
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society is a registered charity.
Our charitable registration
number is: 10817 3501 RR0001.
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