St. Charles Ladies’ Association President Kim Zapotochny welcomes Pam Hadder, presenter from Willow House.
On October 18, at the St. Charles Ladies’ Association general meeting we had guest speaker Pam Hadder. Pam is from Willow Place and spoke on the Violence Prevention Shelter Program.
In Canada, every six days, a tragic statistic unfolds: a woman falls victim to violence at the hands of her intimate partner. This alarming reality forces over 6,000 women and children to seek refuge in shelters on any given night, as their homes are no longer safe havens. Domestic violence casts a long shadow over the country, with over 40,000 arrests annually stemming from this deeply concerning issue, constituting approximately 12% of all violent crime in Canada.
To combat this pervasive problem, the Family Violence Prevention Program is actively engaged in planning and cultivating community initiatives aimed at eradicating family violence. This program allocates funding to community-based organizations dedicated to providing specialized support for women and their children facing abuse, as well as for men grappling with family violence.
Within Manitoba, 33 agencies stand as pillars of support for those affected by family violence, collectively forming a network of assistance. These agencies encompass a range of services, including ten women's shelters, a provincial toll-free crisis line designed to promptly connect individuals with the nearest shelter for immediate safety, and nine women's resource centers.
Willow House offers a comprehensive range of services to those in need, including
Protective Housing: Providing a secure and confidential location, ensuring the safety and privacy of residents.
24-Hour Staff Support: Ensuring round-the-clock assistance and care for residents.
Nutritional Support: Supplying all meals and snacks to meet dietary needs.
Linen and Hygiene Supplies: Providing clean linens, towels, and essential hygiene supplies for personal well-being.
On-Site Laundry and Shower Facilities: Equipped with facilities for residents' convenience.
Family Violence Information and Education: Offering resources and knowledge to address and combat family violence.
Protection Order Preparation Support: Assisting individuals in preparing protection orders when needed.
Community Support: Facilitating connections with relevant community resources for holistic support.
Assistance with Legal Aid and E.I.A.: Supporting residents with legal matters and Employment and Income Assistance (E.I.A.) as required.
Housing Support Services: Providing assistance with housing-related matters to ensure stability and independence.
Counseling Services: Offering both individual and group counseling for emotional and psychological well-being.
Children's Counseling Services: Tailored support for children, recognizing their unique needs.
Activities and Cultural Support: Fostering a sense of community and identity through various activities and cultural resources.
On-Site School (SunRise Tutoring): Ensuring educational continuity with an on-site school for grades K-8, offering a supportive learning environment for children.
If you wish to help, here is a list of needed items:
HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS
Bath towels and cozy blankets
Durable stainless steel flatware
Unscented laundry pods and fabric softener sheets
Kleenex tissue boxes, paper towels, and single-ply toilet tissue
FOOD ITEMS
Breakfast cereal, coffee, tea, and spreads like jam and jelly
Peanut butter, fruit cups, and granola bars for children's lunches and snacks
INFANT CARE NECESSITIES
Infant wipes and essential diaper supplies
Urgently needed: New infant bottles, soothers, and toddler sipper cups
Sizes 5 and 6 diapers
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
Toothbrushes for adults and children (Urgent!)
Women's underwear in sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL
Travel-sized and full-sized toiletries, deodorant (Urgent!), and body lotion
PROGRAM AND ACTIVITY SUPPLIES
Stocking stuffers for Christmas activities, suitable for women, teens, and children
Craft kits and art supplies for women, teens, and children
Sporting equipment such as sports balls, hula hoops, and bowling sets
Children's non-toxic washable paint, markers, small canvases, paintbrushes, and acrylic craft paint (available at Dollar Store)
Adult and child coloring books, crayons, pencil crayons, and sharpeners
GIFT CARDS
Winnipeg Transit tickets for women, teens, and children
Gift cards for groceries, outings, and general supplies (e.g., Walmart, Shoppers, Safeway, Sobey's, PC, etc.)
To donate, please call Renee at 204-615-0313, ext. 231 or
Pam at 204-615-0313, ext. 237
““The heart of our work is healthy relationships”.”