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April 2011 |
WRRC Newsletter no. 1 |
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Greetings!
Spring brings with it a sense of renewal and energy - a time of growth and new possibilities. We are blossoming at Women's Rural Resource Centre - we have a new strategic plan that will carry us forward through 2014; with your help, more women and children have travelled safely in their journey, and communities throughout Middlesex County are becoming more engaged. The seeds are planted - with a little more nurturing, together we can end violence against women and children. What will you do to make a difference?
Kathryn Eggert
Executive Director
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 | 8th Annual IQ Challenge |
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Winning Team - MyFM Soft Rocks with event MC Jeremy Riddell |
Thanks to the generosity of the community, over $12,000 was raised at the 2011 IQ Challenge. Proceeds will assist WRRC in fulfilling our vision to end violence against women and children.
Women's Rural Resource Centre would like to thank the 2011 IQ Challenge event sponsors.
Platinum - TD Canada Trust & MyFM
Gold - Bell Aliant
Silver - Sydenham Community Credit Union, Goodlife Fitness, Cuddy Farms & Clark-Haasen Electric Inc
Bronze - Libro Finacial Group & Investor's Group - Scott Irvin
Thank you also to our community supporters who provided silent auction items
and door prizes and all those who tirelessly volunteered their time
to make the event a success.
Last but not least thanks to all those who came out to play.
Congratulations to the Winning Team - MyFM Soft Rocks
We hope to see you all again next year!
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| International Women's Day March 8th- Open House |
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 Our first Open House to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th was a tremendous success, with over 50 guests!
Thank you to all who stopped by for a tour, met staff, asked questions and shared in the celebration. If you were unable to attend but would like a tour for yourself or your group, please call the office to arrange a visit 519-246-1526
International Women's Day Facts:
in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
The first International Women's Day was launched on 8 March 1911 in Copenhagen by Clara Zetkin
In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace.
Following the United Nations' lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women's Day (IWD).
International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike.
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| Neighbors, Friends & Families - Workplace Champions Event |
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On February 18th the latest " graduates" of the Neighbours, Friends and Families Workplace Champions gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and receive their certificates. On hand for the celebration was Eric Magni, Project Coordinator: Neighbours, Friends and Families; Kathryn Eggert, Executive Director WRRC; Maria Van Bommel, MPP and representatives from the 40 workplaces that recently completed the training. For a list of all the workplaces that have participated and for more information on the Neighbours, Friends and Families initative and how your workplace can be involved click here. |
| A Poem |
| by Ellen | |
Best Friend Forever (Thursday night musings)
I opened the door to a place not called home
A new beginning I was about to take on.
I came here with fear, I live now with love
My wings are stronger because I have learned to love myself, then others.
Instead of burying my light in a hole, I dug myself out, letting the rays bathe my soul.
It happened so slowly, I thought I was totally stalled
Like a car with no gas, in the middle of the road.
But little by little and day by day,
The storm did abate and the clouds move away.
I give myself permission to feel my heart again.
For when all is said and done, my heart is my best friend.
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| Join our Circle of Friends this spring |
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Become a monthly donor this spring and become part of our Circle of Friends!
Even a small monthly donation can make a big difference...
For just $1 a day you will provide:
- a women with 6 nights in shelter
- three children's participation in an 8 week group therapy program for children who have witnessed domestic violence
- three women with individually prepared safety plans for herself and her children
- ten women calling our 24 hour hot line with information, support , a sympathetic ear and on opportunity to discuss her options
Join today!
Signing up is easy... follow this link to our Canada helps page where you can have your monthly donation charged to your credit card or direct debit from your bank account. Or if you prefer, download the sign up form from our web page and send your void cheque to the WRRC office.
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| 2010 Christmas Family Sponsorship another success! |
| by Jen K | |
For it is in giving that we receive...
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some of the many Christmas packages generously donated in support of the women and children served by WRRC |
Through our Christmas family sponsorship program, businesses, groups and individuals across Middlesex County are invited to partner with WRRC and women and children impacted by abuse, to provide Christmas gifts and make their holiday season very special.
Our Christmas family sponsorship program has been active for over 10 years and has grown considerably in that time. Thank you to the 44 sponsors who provided gifts to 64 families...64 moms and 147 very happy children! |
| How you can help... |
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Current Needs
Socks, underwear and PJ's of all sizes including plus sizes, and food bank items
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Our food cupboard volunteer Ellen stands amongst bare shelves on March 15th |
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| Support from the Community Appreciated |
| by Donna P | |
Meeting the needs of the women and children in our community that have experienced violence in the home requires ongoing funds. When you or your community group hosts an event that benefits WRRC we are able to stretch our limited resources even further. Please let us know if you or your group is planning an event to benefit WRRC and we will help promote the event as much as we can. Call Donna at 519-246-1526 ext 236
Thank you to the following organizations for their recent support:
CAW 27
CAW 302
Cooper Standard
Columbia Sportswear
Delaware Lions Club
East Williams Optimist Club
Glencoe District Highschool
Ilderton Lions Club
Kilworth Scouts
London & Region Fund Raising Executives
Middlesex Terrace Nursing Home
Parkhill Lions Club
Poplar Hills & District Lions Club
Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
South Lobo Women's Institute
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority
St. Patricks Catholic Women's League
Volley 4 Charity
WAVE Middlesex |
| A day in the life of Shelter staff |
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7:30am- 8:30am: The sun comes up and the day begins...
It's still early and the shelter is quiet as shift change takes place. The night shift worker debriefs with the day staff about a long conversation she had on the help-line with a women who is considering leaving her abusive relationship. Safety planning and support was provided. The night staff heads out.
All of the previous day's security information and shift change has been prepared fresh and lies neatly before us. The events of the previous day are read and a to-do list is compiled for the rest of the day (one that we will refer to throughout the day as other items come up).
8:30am - 9:30am: The children and mothers scramble to prepare for school and a day full of appointments. Staff assist in gathering school snacks or bringing needed groceries from our storage fridge to the shelter fridge, and adding items to the grocery list.
9: 30am - 3:30pm: Many calls are made advocating with Ontario Works, the Housing Access Centre and the Strathroy-Caradoc Police (just to name a few) for shelter clients. Throughout the day, we will meet with residents in the living area or office, to discuss the emotional impacts of leaving an abusive relationship, which can involve anger management, grief counseling and grounding techniques.
We assist in the completion of housing applications and searches for market rent. We help tidy up, take donations at the door, answer inquiries from the community and answer to community living issues-"Who's laundry is missing... again?"
"Is it 3:30p.m already?"
The day shift finishes up any last minute duties, writes up case notes, and prepares for shift change.
The moment of the day is a women commenting "I now feel like I deserve better in life."
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| Shelter Beautification |
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The Relief Society, a women's group, of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Byron contacted WRRC to see how they could help. They wanted to volunteer their time and efforts to make our emergency shelter feel more like home.
As a group they worked together to make curtains and valances for the windows throughout the shelter. They also created wall art pieces and purchased decorative knick knacks and even a new desk.
Thanks to the wonderful women of the Relief Society for making our space feel a little more like home for the women who access our emergency shelter. |
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