mmuniqué cWoomen’s Community House NEWSLETTER I ssue 2- 13 Boys of Summer Rock the House It’s a ritual. Every year, the Grand House Theatre in June, there’s no argument there. Party kicks off summer. But it’s not every Visit www.grandhouseparty.ca to view year it has a music icon as headliner. This photos of this ‘grand’ show. year, the planets aligned and Rik Emmett, master of the guitar solo and former front Grand House Party XI was sponsored man of Canada’s best ever rock band by: Mary R. DiSalvo Financial Services Triumph, dazzled a packed house on the Corporation, McCormick Canada, Grand Theatre main stage on June 14th. GoodLife Fitness, Royal LePage Triland Joined on stage by touring partner Toronto- Realty, McFarlan Rowlands Insurance based pro guitarist and recording artist Dave Brokers Inc., Scotiabank, Harrison Pensa, Dunlop, Paul Langille, Jean Meilleur and Miller Thomson, Lawyers, Cornerstone the Grand House Party Band, Emmett and Architecture, K&L Construction (Ontario) company set the time machine back for Ltd., Pharmasave Wortley Village & Huron two electrifying hours of good old rock n’ roll Heights, Medpoint Health Care Centre, delivered to perfection and with plenty Manulife Financial and BOB FM 102.3. of style. The boys of summer – Emmett and Emmett may no longer sport his 60’s rock company – will be back by popular demand mane but he hasn’t lost his luster and kicked off the show with Triumph’s barnburner Lay June 20, 2014 for Grand House Party XII it on the Line. Last year, CBC Music voted Rock the House: The Sequel. To learn about Emmett as one of the Best Canadian the benefits of sponsorship, contact Guitarists Ever, and based upon the Pamela Coray, Development Manager, at number of standing ovations at the Grand (519) 642-3003 ext. 2252. IN THIS ISSUE Grand House Walk a Mile in Community From the Executive Party 11 Her Shoes Corner Director WCH 35th Anniversary a beautiful day in the neigbourhood... The weather may have been cloudy, but the spirit was bright and sunny as approximately 120 London and area men lapped Victoria Park in downtown London in the Sixth Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on September 15th to raise over $37,000. Along with many seasoned and new individual walkers, this year’s Walk welcomed several new teams – Beer and Cupcakes, Hance & France, Men in Heals and London Community Newshounds – and welcomed back teams from London Police Service, BlueStone Properties, Hilton London, Family Karate, The Wonder Boys, London Firefighters, Scotiabank and MGI Securities. WCH brought the walk to London in great charity. Walking a mile in another’s 2008 with 75 sponsored men. Today, that shoes is a goal we all strive for in hoping to number is reaching the almost-doubled point. understand others. This effort, while fun (and painful), is a way to open a conversation Thanks to all the courageous men who about a topic that is difficult for many to ventured out this year for a lap around discuss .. .Life can be very difficult. Until we Victoria Park in red heels. See you next year walk in another’s shoes we will never know. on September 14th! My efforts today will not give me a glimpse Walk pros London Police Chief Brad of what it is like to be a Duncan, Mayor Joe Fontana, City Manager woman in danger. I do hope Art Zuidema and Ward 7 Councillor Matt and pray, however, that the Brown joined with official banner bearers efforts of me and my Wonder Ed Holder, MP and Mike Tansey from Boys Team-mates will make Oxford Dodge Chrysler and the Mocha a difference and that we Shrine Oriental Band to put the men raise awareness of the need through their paces. for us to be ever-present to the community around us.” Raising $6,915 and the privilege and bragging rights of owning the coveted – Canon Kevin George, Shoe-be-do Trophy for one year as the St. Aidan’s Anglican Church team that raised the most money was BlueStone Properties. Raising $2,732 to win the Shoe-per Hero Award, Al Murphy reigned supreme for his sixth straight year as the individual walker with the highest pledges. First-timer with Special thanks to Tim Hortons ® for their the Walk, and possibly one of the most assistance with refreshments and to Title enthusiastic walkers London has seen, Sponsor Tender Tootsies. Thanks, too, to Jeffrey Jamieson, raised $1,800. the volunteers who help make this event run In Van Nuys in 2001, California started smoothly. the symbolic gesture of men marching in “I am excited to be part of a team called ‘The female footwear to better understand the Wonder Boys’ – captained by Gerry “Fuzzy” experience of women to raise money for Fraser from Essex, ON. This [Walk a Mile in women’s shelters and rape crisis centers. Her Shoes] is a great event that supports a communiqué COMMUNITY CORNE R Women's Community House continues to celebrate all that our community does to support us in various ways throughout the year and through all the seasons. Family Court Support and distribution of supplies ensured that the 20 Years of Service children at Women’s Community House were The Family Court Support Program is now in Winston McAuley, all set for their first day of school in its second year and the number of clients retiring WCH Board September. Not only do we need school being served has increased about 20% every member, was recognized supplies for those child residents returning to quarter. As it is estimated that around 75% of at the 2013 WCH school in the fall, but also for the many people are unrepresented in family court, this Annual General Meeting children that we serve all year long. Thank program is much needed and much for his over twenty you, United Way, and all community donors appreciated by the clients we’ve served. To years of service on the for making this back-to-school season a best serve Francophone women, we are Board. Thanks, Winston, success. happy to announce that we have entered into for your dedication and submitted by Sandie Micks, a partnership with Carrefour des Femmes du support to Women’s Community House. We’ll WCH Inventory Coordinator Sud Ouest de l’Ontario to provide the Family see you around! Court Support Program in French. As the ‘FORE’...WC H! program moves along, Rita (Family Court Another fantastic Bob White Annual Charity The wind beneath Support worker) has also continued to Golf tournament was held at the St. Thomas our wings promote domestic violence awareness by Golf and Country Club on Thursday, training Duty Counsel and lawyers in London Sixty guests joined Women’s Community September 12, 2013. Although there was a and in Woodstock, and has most recently House (WCH) for its Group Hug annual donor threat of rain, the golf goddesses shone down done training for UWO law students appreciation event June 26th at the Highland on us as did the sun ... all remained dry with considering family law. Golf & Country Club. the exception of seven minutes. I had the The event and WCH board chair Joanne immense pleasure of golfing with an all- Beasley paid tribute to thirty-one groups who, woman team, my second year of golfing with in 2012, collectively donated $161,875 Julie, Julie and Lynda (undoubtedly, the best towards day-to-day operations, WCH’s golfer among us). We had total fun given, for children’s programs and Second Stage the most part, our lack of attachment to Housing. winning the game. I also found out that the CAW has changed its name to UNIFOR, so Ward 7 Councillor the exceptional “swag” received came from Matt Brown de- multiple sources. As usual, the volunteers livered a personal Pictured here from left to right are: Emilie Crakonji, were stellar and although, as tourney chair and powerful Executive Director from Carrefour with Rita Galea, Bob Nickerson indicated, revenues were message to the Family Court Support worker and Shelley Yeo, WCH Group Hug Director of Community Services. attendees about Back-to-School why he supports Women’s September is a busy time of year at the Community shelters with excitement building for the House. Matt was London, Ontario’s first man children beginning or returning to school. And to register for the first annual Walk a Mile in during this time, the stress begins for parents Her Shoes London event in 2008. Matt’s and, in our case, mothers that struggle to opening remarks were: I am delighted to have provide all the back to school necessities for this opportunity to talk about my belief in their children. Women’s Community House Women’s Community House to a group of has been very fortunate over the years with all people who get it; to a group of people who the community support we have received; down a bit from last year the event was well demonstrate their own support through however, with back-to-school donations attended and there were a lot of smiles all financial contributions, volunteerism and down and over 40 children needing supplies, around!! Thanks to all involved, especially activism. we are very grateful to the United Way of Pamela, WCH Development Manager, who London who stepped in to assist this year. worked the registration table and sat A heartfelt thank you is extended to all of our Contributions to the United Way and the hard checking shots for one of the holes. donors! We couldn’t do this work with abused work of their staff coordinating the packing submitted by Kate Wiggins, E.D.