Promising Steps Victoria Women’s Transition House Annual Report 2013/14 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2013/14 Members of the Board AND THE BOARD Deb Antiphon, Co-Chair It has been said that the key to effective leadership is influence, not authority. To Liette Bates-Eamer, Treasurer that end, our role at Victoria Women’s Transition House becomes not only to provide Phyllis Chuly service, but to demonstrate leadership within the community to include the virtues of Donna Conway kindness and respect in all relationships. Janice Davis, Co-Chair As guided by our mission, we are an Joan Geber organization that “strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, Heather Kirkham advocacy and partnerships”. With this in Marian Knock mind we are hopeful that the release of Fiona St. Clair our new video, Behind Closed Doors, will help to move us ever closer to achieving 2013/14 Leadership Team this goal. This truly was a collaborative effort involving community partnerships with the intent to educate about the effects Makenna Rielly of domestic abuse on children. This video is another important tool that will allow us Executive Director to advocate for women and children so they can live the lives they deserve, one free of Parm Kroad all forms of violence and abuse in their familial relationships. Deputy Director As Executive Director and Board Members, we continue to be proud of the efforts of Lorelle Posten our staff and their service to our clients and the community. As important as it is to Finance Director provide shelter and support to women and children seeking a life free of abuse, we Tracy Lubick also undertake proactive initiatives, such as our Children Who Witness Abuse Program, Development Director and the many presentations made to schools and other community groups. Our goals are strengthened by our association with community partners and our commitment to Mary Soles attend to the needs of children. Human Resources Manager We deeply value and depend on the role of our funders, donors and volunteers. Your Janet Henly Community Programs Manager financial contributions, gifts of time and continued interest in our cause allow us to continue our organization’s work as we seek to achieve our vision of a community Jessica Evans/Shemine free of relationship violence and abuse. Please know that our board and staff always Gulamhusein Shelter Programs Managers welcome your questions and comments. Theresa Negreiff/Beth Turner Development and Janice Davis Makenna Rielly Deb Antiphon, Communications Managers Board Co-Chair Executive Director Board Co-Chair How to Reach Us Crisis Line 250.385.6611 Community Office Suite 100 3060 Cedar Hill Road Our Mission Victoria, BC V8T 3J5 P 250.592.2927 F 250.592.9279 Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, working E [email protected] collaboratively, provides shelter, support, counselling and www.transitonhouse.net education to women of all ages, with or without children, so Charitable No. that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate 10817 3501 RR0001 relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships. REDUCING BARRIERS FOR SUPPORT THROUGH THE WOMEN FLEEING VIOLENCE JUSTICE SYSTEM

Many women encounter barriers to safety when they Through our Spousal Assault Victim Support Program experience intimate relationship abuse and violence. (SAVSP), 588 women were supported and had access to Language, culture, mental health and other factors, as well resources and information when they chose to proceed as individual perception of these factors can play a role in with legal action in the justice system. The program ad- whether support can be accessed or not. dressed more than 1,000 enquiries over the year. Fifty-two high risk cases that posed a critical threat to the victim In 2014, Transition House was successful in being the were identified and managed by the Regional Domes- site for two projects with the goal of reducing barriers to tic Violence Unit, in which Transition House partners safety. The first part of the project was a training of VWTH with local Police and the Ministry of Children and Family staff to support women with varying levels of mental Development. wellness and substance use. Participating staff learned more about women with lived experience, engaged in In 2013, VWTH received a special grant through the Heal- self-examinations, dismantled myths and expanded their ing the Circle Program to strengthen Victim Services for substance and mental health literacy. Aboriginal Victims of Crime. This funding allowed our team to build stronger relationships with the Native Friend- The other project to reduce barriers to women accessing ship Centre and to better understand program needs for safety focused on Aboriginal women. The purpose of the Aboriginal communities addressing domestic violence. project was to create a system where Aboriginal women feel more support and the support is appropriate and respectful of their lived experience. Working with the BC REBUILDING LIVES OF Society of Transition Houses and other partners, VWTH developed a flexible model of service and Promising OLDER WOMEN Practices that support women and their children accessing transition housing in Aboriginal communities. Transition House recognizes older women have unique needs and challenges when overcoming abuse; we continue ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN to develop and evolve our programming to support these brave women in rebuilding their lives. ENDING VIOLENCE Last year, our Older Women’s Program provided counselling and group services to 98 women. The groups were very well An important aspect of our work at Transition House received and successfully incorporated art and the creation focuses on education and awareness building. Through our of personal Mandelas as part of the sessions. The program robust volunteer program, community presentations and additionally supported 7 women who were sheltered in the numerous partnerships, we engaged hundreds of people Safe Home last year, and as well, responded to 194 crisis throughout Greater Victoria in our work. calls. Over the past year, volunteers contributed 5,000 hours It is not unusual for older women accessing our services in support of our mission, assisting with cooking, grocery to report the additional barrier of a disability. In response, purchases, child minding, event outreach and more. we were pleased to launch the LEAD Program to improve Transition House is a grateful partner in two major sporting social inclusion for women with disabilities. The program events that raise funds for our programs and services allowed women to explore interests and abilities and to and, importantly, also raise awareness of the issue of lead activities for their peers within the community. This intimate relationship abuse. The Victoria Goddess Run program continues through November 2014. and the Victoria Golf Club Links to Change Charity Events Residents at Harrison Place, our third stage housing complex engaged hundreds of volunteers and raised thousands for women aged 40 to 65, continued to benefit from on-site of dollars toward programs and services in 2013/14. We support, safe and comfortable apartments and programs also benefitted from numerous community-led events, such as our financial literacy program, SAFE. Funded including Christmas parties, benefit concerts, special through United Way, SAFE offers valuable education and events and spa nights which helped us connect with our resources for residents to rebuild financial independence. communities. MEETING NEEDS FOR WOMEN IN CRISIS

The Shelter provides safe, supportive accommodation for up to 30 days for women with or without children. This service is more than just safe housing, it’s a place of renewal and support. Our current shelter is more than 20 years old and over the past year we were fortunate to have grants and community contributions which allowed 188 us to ensure the shelter remains a safe, comfortable space. In 2013, BC WOMEN Housing awarded a Capital Grant which allowed us to refinish all of the flooring throughout our 18 bed facility. We were grateful for members of our & CHILDREN community who stepped forward to prepare meals while our kitchen was HOUSED out of commission during these upgrades. As well, a project grant from the Home Depot Foundation contributed funds toward additional storage space, an outdoor shed, which will house emergency preparedness equipment. Numerous other individual and group donors, including the Foresters and the Sara Spencer Foundation, generously supported basic shelter needs throughout the year by contributing bedding, mattress covers, towels and more. On site at the shelter, our specialized counsellors offered compassionate support to the 129 women and 59 children who stayed at the house. Each woman who resided with us first called our support and information line. Use of this critical service remained steady with volunteers and staff responding to 2,037 calls. 2037 Many women leaving the shelter went on to access other programs offered by CRISIS LINE Transition House, such as the Stopping The Violence Counselling Program which supported 135 women, our Grow Your Power Support Group funded through the CALLS United Way, our Children Who Witness Abuse Program or our Christmas Hamper Program.

CHILDREN, YOUTH & VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Our Children’s Program’s staff and counsellors continued to provide excellent 635 service and support to children and youth who accessed programming at our CHILDREN’S community office, at the shelter and in schools throughout our communities. Our Children Who Witness Abuse Program, the cornerstone of our services, offers COUNSELLING one-to-one and group counselling to children aged 3-18 and served 153 children SESSIONS and 106 caregivers in the past year. Children accessed 131 group sessions in a positive format for building a peer network for participants. At the shelter, 59 children accessed programming, including recreational opportunities and on-site children’s counsellors. Out in the community, our Violence is Preventable Program delivered 9 interactive school presentations to 220 students with information about healthy relationships and abuse prevention. We were also very pleased to launch a dynamic new video as a tool to further support our education and prevention work. Details are in our special insert spotlighting our Children’s Programs and our Behind Closed Doors educational DVD. Please see enclosed. HOW WE RAISE AND SPEND OUR FUNDS AND YOUR DONATIONS HOW WEHow WeRAISE Raise Our OUR Funds FUNDS

1%

5% 5%

6%

Provincial Funding 60% Donations 14% 9% Grants 9% Bequests 6% Special Events 5% REVENUE 60% Rent Revenue 5% 14% Other Income 1% $2,330,559

HOW WE SPEND OUR FUNDS EXPENSES BY PROGRAMHow We Spend Our Funds

Transition House (Shelter) 42% 2%

4% Spousal Assault Victim Support $2,275,324 5% 13% 6% Harrison Place Supported Housing 10% Children Who Witness Abuse 42% 9% 9% Year ended March 31, 2014 Development and Communications 9%

9% Stopping the Violence Net Amortization Counselling 6% Older Women's Outreach/Safe Home 5% $(31,499) 10% Volunteer Program and Crisis 13% Line 4% Surplus (Deficit) Community Education 2% $23,736

Full audited financial information is available by request. Please contact our Finance Director at (250) 592-2927 ext. 208. Dr. Cameron McCrodan, Ooh La La Cupcakes Guesthouses OUR PARTNERS THANK Optometric Association Orbus International Spud.ca Dr. R.D. Nicoll Inc. Business Network Inc St. Aidan’s United Church YOU TO Earls Kitchen and Bar Oughtred Coffee & Tea St. Margaret’s School Edmonton Community P.E.O, Sisterhood Chapter St. Margaret’s Thrift Shop OUR Foundation AR St. Vincent de Paul - Social Eldon & Anne Foote Fund Peninsula Co-op Concern Office Empress Painting PFS Studio Starbucks - Fairfield Plaza DONORS* Epicure Selections Pitts Family Foundation Stevenson Doell Law Leslie Farmer Point No Point Resort Corporation 98.5 the Ocean Fernwood Coffee Company Prices Alarms Strathcona Hotel Air First Unitarian Church of Proline Property Managers Studio 4 Athletics Air Sprint Victoria Prospect Lake Golf Course Sunset Painting & Renos Allen and Loreen Foresters Province of BC-Ministry Sutherland Family Fund Vandekerkhove Family Foster Virtue Consulting, of Children and Family TD Waterhouse-Private Foundation Inc. Development Giving Foundation Altus Group Giggles Fun Dough Province of BC-Ministry The Fairmont Empress Baker Transit Parts Inc. Gordon Food Service of Justice Hotel Bayview Place Government of Canada- Provincial Employees The Local Kitchen BC Assessment Staff Fund New Horizons for Seniors Community Services Fund The Schneider Wealth BC Coalition of People with Harbour Air Hilary Pryor Management Team Disabilities HEU Royal Jubilee Local Public Service Br.127 RCL Thrifty Foods BC Housing HIDEF Productions R.C. Purdy’s Chocolates Times Colonist BC Society of Transition Hillside Liquor Store Ltd. TLC Fund for Kids Houses Holy Trinity Church Ralmax Unifor Benefaction Foundation- Home Depot Canada RBC Foundation United Commercial Stephanie Boswell Fund Foundation RBC Royal Bank Travellers’ Fund Brenda Scott Trust IMB Christmas Fund RBC Wealth Management United Way of Greater Brown Bros. Investors Group Financial Read Jones Christoffersen Victoria Budget Services Inc. Red Art Gallery University of Victoria- Butler Brothers Supplies Island Floor Centre & Retire-at-Home Services Faculty of Education Ltd. Island Window Coverings Ricki’s - Canwest Mall Uplands Golf Club - Bronwen & Alex Campbell Island Savings Royal Canadian Legion #7 Weekend Golfers Canadian Tire - Langford JTI-Macdonald Corp. Britannia Vibes Fitness Oak Bay Canadian Tire Jumpstart Knappett Projects Inc. Royal Canadian Legion Victoria Fire Fighters Charities Knights of Columbus - Trafalgar/Pro Patria Branch Charitable Foundation Canadian Women’s Saanich Pen. Council 9703 #292 Victoria Foundation Foundation KPMG Royal LePage Coast Capital Victoria Golf Club Capital Iron Lee & Karl Soberlak Realty Victoria Harbour Ferry Carreiro the Studio Foundation Royal LePage Shelter Waddell Raponi - Lawyers CAW - TCA Local 4276 Linden Singers of Victoria Foundation Walmart - Langford CAW Canada - Social Lutheran Church of the Royal LePage, Barry Kelly WCG Justice Fund Cross Sara Spencer Foundation Westshore Women’s CAW Local 114 Mackenzie Strategic ScanDesigns Furniture Business Network C-FAX Santas Anonymous Charitable Giving Shoppers Drug Mart- Dr. Sandra Wieland Society Foundation Hillside William, Laura and CFUW-Canadian Marianne Noad, Organo Silk Road Aromatherapy Christopher Cook Federation of University Gold Independent & Tea Co. Memorial Fund Women Victoria Distributor Simply the Best Zonta Club of Victoria Choice Events Ltd. (Victoria Maystreet Productions Sisters of Saint Ann Goddess Run) Miller Thomson Skanda Rare Gemstones & Cobs Bread (Harris Green) Ministry of Finance- Unique Findings LEGACY Coffee Lady Delivery Gaming Policy and Sole to Soul Reflexology Services Enforcement Branch Inc. GIFTS Compensation Employees’ Mortgage Designers Soroptimist Muse Clothing Greater Victoria Union Estate of Robyn Arias National Bank Financial Sotheby’s International Craig Doell, BMO Estate of Shaughan Patrick Wealth Management Realty Canada - Scott CTV Island Bryan Defence Construction Oak Bay Beach Hotel Piercy & Jim LeBlanc Canada Ocean River Kayaks Soup Sisters Odlum Brown Spinnakers Brewpub &

*Thank you to the many individuals, businesses, funders and donors who support VWTH so generously. We wish we could name all of you here but please know that we are immensely grateful to all of you!

Please contact our Development Director if you have any questions about our fundraising initiatives and the impact that your donations make in our community. (250) 592-2927 ext.210 Spotlight: Programs for Children and Youth BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Our New Educational DVD to Support Children Who Witness Abuse

Early this year, Transition House celebrated the launch of a very special project: our long awaited educational DVD to support children who have witnessed domestic violence. The project began as an extension of our Children Who Witness Abuse Program when counsellors recognized that building capacity in parents, caregivers and other adult mentors to understand the impacts of witnessing violence and abuse would help ensure a continuum of support for children at home, school and elsewhere. Through core funding from Peninsula Co-op, the commitment and vision of filmmaker Hilary Pryor, and the expertise and insight of Sandra Wieland PhD and VWTH staff, we were able to script, film and launch the DVD earlier this year.

We extend warmest thanks to our DVD project supporters: Peninsula Co-op, Hilary Pryor, Leslie Farmer, an Anonymous Donor, May Street Productions, and Dr. Sandra Wieland as well as individual donors who contributed through our online Love Doesn’t Equal Hurt Campaign.

Copies of the DVD can be purchased by contacting our office at (250)592-2927 or by email: [email protected].

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HOW OUR DVD WILL MAKE CHILDREN WITNESS ABUSE A DIFFERENCE

Children who witness family violence can experience The DVD was produced in two parts - the first illustrating trauma not only by the physical abuse they might how witnessing violence may impact children and the see but also by what they hear – for example, the second, offering tools and insight into ways parents and arguing, crying and anger they may hear even behind other caring adults can counter the negative impacts of closed doors. They can also experience the tension witnessing violence. of emotional or psychological abuse by noticing and responding to the lingering emotional aftermath obvious Techniques to soothe and create a sense of safety for in one or both parents. children are equally applicable whether a parent chooses to leave the home where abuse is occurring, or if they It has been shown over and over that domestic violence remain. The DVD emphasizes that these strategies is an intergenerational problem. Children who witness can benefit children whenever or wherever they are domestic violence may become abusive in their own introduced. The DVD also offers a variety of resources relationships or tolerate abusive treatment from others. that parents or other mentors can access for additional Healing from the experience of domestic violence and support and guidance. For more information on the learning new ways of being in a relationship is essential. DVD and accessing other resources to support children, contact VWTH at (250) 592-2927.

Side 1 Insert Page DVD FINAL.indd 1 9/10/2014 1:44:43 PM Spotlight: Programs for Children and Youth Children, Abuse & Prevention Victoria Women’s Transition House has a vision: a community free of relationship violence and abuse. Our programs for children and youth work toward that vision by supporting children to overcome the impact of witnessing violence and by providing education and resources that will allow them to recognize abuse and build healthy relationships as they grow.

SHELTER CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM PROGRAM

When children arrive at the shelter with their mother, Two camps each for two weeks are offered through the Transition House ensures they are able to access a Children Who Witness Abuse Program every summer. specialized program to support them. Children and youth who have witnessed abuse at home come together for learning and fun. Children are given access to individual crisis counselling with the on-site children’s counsellor and are also At this unique camp, children and youth learn about the connected to children’s activity workers who create healthy expression of feelings, safety planning and what recreational opportunities for children. Staff ensure abuse can look like. Camp helps them to recognize they birthdays and special occasions are remembered are not alone in their experiences. All of this is coupled and cultural and recreational activities are offered with exciting and challenging activities such as kayaking, which helps to create an environment of fun during a rock-climbing, and ziplining. These activities give youth stressful time. the opportunity to have new experiences in a safe and supported environment.

VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE CHILDREN WHO WITNESS PROJECT ABUSE PROGRAM

The Violence is Preventable (VIP) project links schools The Children Who Witness Abuse Program provides with the Children Who Witness Abuse program to help individual and group counselling for children who have break the cycle of violence against women and children. witnessed abuse. Program staff help children recognize abusive behaviours, look at alternatives to violence and The program is run in collaboration with area high break the cycle of abuse. schools and provides interactive presentations and education to youth about dating violence, healthy Our skilled counsellors aim to provide a non-threatening relationships, healthy boundaries and more. Counsellors environment to explore and understand feelings and also provide referrals to youth who may be witnessing teach healthy ways to express emotions such as anger, abuse at home or experiencing abuse in their own hurt and fear. Our program lets children know they are relationships. not alone and they are not to blame.

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