WRRC Newsletter no. 4

February 2012  

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).

Each year at this time, Canadians celebrate progress towards equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the challenges and barriers that remain, and consider future steps to achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives. 

For the second year, WRRC will hold an Open House on March 8th.  We encourge you to come by for a tour, see and hear about the activities at WRRC, meet the staff and learn how you can become involved.  Everyone is welcome (yes, that includes men!)  

Hope to see you on the 8th!

Women's Rural Resource Centre

Open House

March 8th, 2012

12-6pm

Nina came to WRRC several years ago when she identified that her partner was too verbally abusive to be healthy for her or her 2 young girls. She began seeing a Counselor who helped her address the abuse and support her decision to leave partner. While in this process Nina started working with a Transition Advocate who helped her file separation papers, look for new housing and secure financial supports. During this time Nina made safety plans with both her counselor and her Transition Advocate to help keep her and the girls safe. Her girls had started acting out in school. They began repeating some of the bad language dad was using when they were in the school environment. Teachers expressed concern and Nina asked for her daughters to have an intake with the Children's Program at WRRC where they were able to have their own counseling.

With some help from family Nina was able to purchase a small house. Although she found that she was safer in her home, she found she was still struggling with the day to day because she felt worthless and stupid all the time. Things her abusive partner had told her very often. Financial stability was also an issue for Nina and she found that groceries and bills were often a struggle now that she was a single parent. Her Transition Advocate let Nina know about the food bank at WRRC that she could access whenever she needed. She started seeing a Counselor at WRRC and working on self esteem and standing up for herself. During this time she started to see little things that she is good at that she never gave herself credit for. Nina continues to work on building her self confidence so that she can provide a happy and healthy life for her 2 young girls and herself.

Names have been changed to protect confidentiality 

Women's Rural Resource centre is looking for media submissions from Middlesex and area youth showcasing the theme of "Healthy Relationships". There are great prizes to be won including a Playbook, Camera and HD monitor! 

We challenge youth to get creative! Show us your slant on healthy relationships. 

All types of media submissions are welcomed. All submissions will be posted on our Facebook page, and a winner will be announced in June.

"Youth in this generation are born with a media perspective, what we want to do is to have youth use this powerful tool to impact others to think critically about what healthy relationships mean. We encourage youth to think outside the box and be creative with their plan" says Maly Bun, of Women's Rural Resource Centre. "We look forward to seeing what submissions are received this spring."

More information and specific requirements available on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-Rural-Resource-Centre/28726806623

Team myFM 

2011 winners! 

It's that time of year again- time for our 9th Annual IQ Challenge! This years event will take place on March 3rd at the Caradoc Community Centre.  Join us for a fun night of trivia, games, prizes and a silent auction.  A light lunch will be served and a cash bar is available.  Get your team of up to 8 players together and register today.  The team registration fee is unchanged at $240 per team.

You can register by calling Jen at 519-246-1526 ext 221 or email us at  jenk@wrrcsa.org.

Deadline to register is February 27th.

Can't play? consider being an event sponsor or donating an item to our silent auction.  Call Donna for more details 519-246-1526 ext 236