What an amazing weekend!!! Thank you so much to all of the donors, volunteers, Board members and staff that helped bring Christmas to many women and children in 2011. The Community Office was filled with so much Christmas Spirit. It is mind boggling to see the amount of generosity that happens year after year. This year was one of our biggest hamper weekends ever with over 100 donors.

 
The first Christmas on your own can be the most difficult. As a result of starting over, often with limited financial resources, women have little money available for gifts for their children or other loved ones. At such a difficult time of year, it helps to know there are thoughtful people who care and want to support their steps to ending domestic violence in their lives. This year 130 amazing hampers were prepared by our very generous donors and graciously accepted by the women and children transitioning towards a life free of abuse. The Christmas Hamper Program offers us an opportunity to remind our clients that we are still here for support and to show them that their community cares about them.

Thank you for your exceedingly generous Christmas hamper. I could hardly believe so many lovely gifts were for me - each one appropriate, the right size and heartwarming - everything from a darling teddy bear who invites affection to my grocery bill paid for weeks! Please know the abundance of your kindness continues to bless me with the spirit of Christmas. 2011 Christmas Hamper Recipients.

 If you are interested in being part of the 2012 Christmas Hamper Program or would like to donate items to the shelter for Christmas please email christmas@vwth.bc.ca.

To read more….

Please read for more information….

For More Information…..

Ten Thousand Villages Victoria

Shop for Fairly Traded Goods  on December 3 and 15% of the proceed will go to VWTH.

1976 Oak Bay Avenue 9:30-5:30

Glo Hair and Body

Haircuts by donation to VWTH

Call Lorraine 250-589-4745 to make an appointment

7120 West Saanich Road
Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1P8

Tuesday December 6

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

The National Day of Remembrance is observed by Canadians each year on Dec. 6 to mark the anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre, in which 14 women at a Montreal school were singled out for their gender and murdered. In Victoria there are two gatherings.

Candlelight Vigil

A candlelight vigil will be held on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature from  5 to 6 p.m . The event is open to everyone who wishes to attend.Organizers will be collecting donations of things such as socks, towels, toiletries, journals, children’s games and toys and small household appliances, which will be given to various women’s organizations in Greater Victoria. Everyone who attends is asked to bring at least one item for donation.

The Victoria vigil is sponsored by the Victoria Regional Women’s Committee of the Public Service Alliance of Canada B.C. For More info: uvaevictoria@shaw.ca

Inter-Faith Service

Service at 7:00 pm, all welcome

Service remembering 14 women murdered in Montreal and other women victims of Violence against women. Speakers will be City Councilors Chris Coleman & Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

First†Met United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria. For more info: 250-388-5188.

 Month of December Fundraiser

GOOD KARMA BREATHES for TRANSITION HOUSE a fundraiser in December which yoga clothing will be donated to VWTH. As a way of giving back this Christmas Breathe Athletic (1031 Fort Street) has teamed up with Vancouver based KARMA Wear to help the ladies of Transition House. Any purchases of clothing made from the store in December, while stocks last , they will match with a similar piece of Karma wear and donate to Transition House. These items will be collected just before Christmas & donated to meet the needs of women either as gifts or clothing, however needed at that time.
The Bikram yoga studios at all four locations are also participating by donating proceeds of their December ‘Karma’ classes to Transition House, try some hot yoga & give back!

 “The journey that the children and I have endured has been, needless to say painful and difficult. The details of everyone’s situation are slightly different, but the net effect of being in an abusive relationship is the same for all. It leaves a trail of damaged lives in need of healing. This  is the journey that my  children and I are on, and with the help, support, and encouragement of the staff at VWTH we are making it happen. Your services have been a lifeline for the children and I. It is so crucial to the healing process to have, encouragement, and support in order to strengthen and rebuild our lives”.        ~Client

This story is just one example of how your donations make a difference.
•         Women who use our services come from all social, cultural, and financial backgrounds.  They may be women with or without children. Their ages can range from teenagers to elders in their 90s;
•         They may seek our counselling services for themselves and their children who have witnessed abuse;
•         They may have experienced  physical  emotional, verbal, and financial abuse
•         Having to escape quickly, women who access our shelter services may arrive with only  the clothes they are wearing and have no money;
•         They may have called several times to seek guidance from our 24-hour crisis line before they make the decision to seek shelter or counselling;
•         Children and youth learn from the counsellors that the abuse they have witnessed in their home is not their fault.

Described above are examples of the situations faced by the over 4,000 women and children who are clients of our 10 programs and services each year (for more information on our programs and services, see page two of our newsletter below).

Our three-month campaign goal is to raise $100,000 of the $800,000 we need to raise each year.

In three months the following services typically will be provided by Victoria Women’s Transition House:
•         36 women and 21 children will be sheltered at the Transition House.
•         The 24-hour Crisis Line will receive up to 498 calls.
•         58 children and 42 mothers or caregivers will participate in individual counselling sessions through the Children Who Witness Abuse program.
•         33 women will receive a total of 122 individual counselling sessions through the Stopping the Violence Counselling Program.
•          128 women will be referred to the Spousal Assault Victim Support Program.
•         26 women will access services through the Older Women’s Program.
•         26 women will continue to be housed at Harrison Place.
•         11women will participate in S.A.F.E. Program (Self-Sufficiency and Asset-Building through Financial Education).

Your donation is needed.

Please join us in supporting the women and children in your community.
A donation of $75, $150, $500, or whatever you can manage is appreciated. You may do so by mailing a cheque to 100-3060 Cedar Hill Rd   Victoria, BC V8T 3J5, by calling (250) 592-2927, or by going on our website to the “Donate” tab and clicking on the blue “Donate through Canadahelps.org” button. 

Your donation is important to supporting all the women and children that use our many services and programs.

For further information, please enjoy the newsletter that is linked below and visit our Facebook Page for current happenings:  Facebook Page: Victoria Women’s Transition House.

Sincerely,
 
Parm Kroad,
Programs Director

Elissa Bergman, B.A., B.F.A.
Development Manager
Victoria Women’s Transition House Society
100-3060 Cedar Hill Rd
Victoria, BC V8T 3J5
(250) 592-2927 ext 210
www.transitionhouse.net

VWTH Holiday News 2011 

Talented Artisans around the world have a simple dream- to earn an honest living, provide a home. Food and education for their children, and to be gainfully employed in a job that brings dignity and joy. Ten Thousand Villages Oak Bay partners with such artisans to sell “Fair Trade” goods at a fair trade price. Also supporting the local community they are supporting Victoria Women’s Transition House on December 3. Please open the attached for details.

 
For More Information…

“The journey that the children and I have endured has been, needless to say painful and difficult. The details of everyone’s situation are slightly different, but the net effect of being in an abusive relationship is the same for all. It leaves a trail of damaged lives in need of healing. This  is the journey that my  children and I are on, and with the help, support, and encouragement of the staff at VWTH we are making it happen. Your services have been a lifeline for the children and I. It is so crucial to the healing process to have, encouragement, and support in order to strengthen and rebuild our lives”.        ~Client

This story is just one example of how your donations make a difference.

·         Women who use our services come from all social, cultural, and financial backgrounds.  They may be women with or without children. Their ages can range from teenagers to elders in their 90s;

·         They may seek our counselling services for  themselves and their children who have witnessed abuse;

·         They may have experienced  physical  emotional, verbal, and financial abuse

·         Having to escape quickly, women who access our shelter services may arrive with only  the clothes they are wearing and have no money;

·         They may have called several times to seek guidance from our 24-hour crisis line before they make the decision to seek shelter or counselling;

·         Children and youth learn from the counsellors that the abuse they have witnessed in their home is not their fault.

Described above are examples of the situations faced by the over 4,000 women and children who are clients of our 10 programs and services each year (for more information on our programs and services, see page two of our newsletter linked below).

In three months the following services typically will be provided by Victoria Women’s Transition House:

·         36 women and 21 children will be sheltered at the Transition House.

·         The 24-hour Crisis Line will receive up to 498 calls.

·         58 children and 42 mothers or caregivers will participate in individual counselling sessions through the Children Who Witness Abuse program.

·         33 women will receive a total of 122 individual counselling sessions through the Stopping the Violence Counselling Program.

·       128 women will be referred to the Spousal Assault Victim Support Program.

·         26 women will access services through the Older Women’s Program.

·         26 women will continue to be housed at Harrison Place.

·         11 women will participate in S.A.F.E. Program (Self-Sufficiency and Asset-Building through Financial Education).

Your donation is needed.

Victoria Women’s Transition House Society is taking part in the “Victoria Foundation 75-HOUR CHALLENGE” November 15, 9am to noon on November 18. All funds donated will be stretched by the Victoria Foundation and put towards permanent hosted endowments.

DONATE ONLINE

·         On November 15, 9am to November 18 noon

·         Go to  www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca

·         Click on the “Make a Donation” button and follow the steps through the CanadaHelps page, indicate you are supporting Victoria Women’s Transition House

·          You will receive an electronic tax-receipt through Canada Helps

DONATE BY CHEQUE

·         Prepare a cheque made out to Victoria Foundation

·         Date the cheque either Nov. 15, Nov. 16, Nov 17, or Nov 18

·         Memo Line to say “75hr Challenge-VWTH”

·         Mail or bring the cheque with your coupon to: Victoria Women’s Transition House,

100-3060 Cedar Hill Rd., Victoria, BC   V8T 3J5 ($10 or more will receive a tax receipt)

If your preference is to give to our current operating costs, we welcome your donation as that is needed too.

For further information, please enjoy the enclosed newsletter and visit our Facebook Page for current happenings:  Facebook Page: Victoria Women’s Transition House.

Sincerely,

 
Parm Kroad,
Programs Director

“Suddenly, you find yourself at the bottom rung of the ladder … You wouldn’t think this could happen to you, then it does.”

Faith was in her early 50s by the time she decided to leave her husband. She had suffered through decades of physical and emotional abuse before saying ‘no more’ — but that’s not something she talks freely about.

To read full article click on link below.

http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/womens-transition-house-gives-abused-seniors-hope

Hello,
We are a group of Oak Bay High leadership students who volunteered for the Victoria Women’s transition house at the marathon on Sunday, October 9th. We helped out at the cheer station on Dallas Road. There were so many dedicated volunteers, at the cheer station, we had one person with a megaphone, encouraging the runners and walkers with pom-poms and posters. We felt that the runner and walkers were encouraged by our cheering. We noticed that because of our cheering, the runners and walkers were having a more enjoyable time. Thank you to the Victoria Women’s Transition House for letting us be a part of this experience.