Archive for 'Programs of Service'
Soroptimists and their Soroptimisters took part in the 2nd annual Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre fundraiser at Waterdown District High School on Sunday September 25. Walking as Evelyn’s Angels, they wore red shoes, slippers and shirts to raise funds and awareness in the hope of ending violence against women.
As a program of Interval House of Hamilton, the Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre provides support services for all women in the Flamborough community. Women living in rural areas of Hamilton (Flamborough, Dundas, Ancaster, Glanbrook) have less access to immediate supports (police, transportation, shelter, etc). Their broad range of services need our support. Join us next year and let’s increase our pledges.
Photos are coming soon!
A group of our Soroptimists held a resource-based seminar on May 26. Topics covered a wide breadth, based on our personal careers and experiences. We have assembled some tips & links that you may find helpful:
Preparing a Resume
The most important things about writing a resume and cover letter are the small details (like spelling and grammar) and aligning the information you share with the job posting requirements. The Government of Canada has a great site to explain how you can tell about your experiences, skills and interest areas on your resume, even if you don’t have a lot of work experience.
http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/topics/jobs/resume.shtml
http://www.youth.gc.ca/eng/topics/jobs/cover.shtml
Junior Legal Assistant
There are many other schools that have either a law clerk program or legal administration program, but these are some in the local area:
Fitness and Instruction:
http://www.canadianfitness.net/pro.html (How to get certified in fitness at home)
http://www.canfitpro.com/ (How to get certified by the largest fitness training company)
http://www.ywcahamilton.org/programs-and-services/adult-fitness-and-aquatics (How to get fitness leadership training locally)
Nutrition & Recipes
www.dietitians.ca
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide
Health Field
http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/otapa.html (OTA/PTA course, Mohawk)
http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/personalSupportWorker.html (PSW Course, Mohawk)
http://www.stcharles.ca/psw.html (PSW Course, St. Charles)
Early Childhood Education
http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/ece.html
http://www.aeceo.ca/ (Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
Book keeping & Admin
http://c-b-a.ca/ (Canadian Book keepers Association);
http://www.cma-ontario.org/index.cfm?ci_id=4798&la_id=1 (Certified Management Accountant);
http://www.cga-ontario.org/Prospective_Students/Becoming_a_CGA.aspx (Certified General Accountant)
www.simpleplanning.net (budgeting)
http://office.microsoft.com
http://community.alchemex.com (various Microsoft office training)
General References
www.cara.com (Swiss Chalet, Kelsey’s, Milestone’s, Montana’s, Harvey’s)
www.insuranceinstitute.ca (courses at Mohawk College or apply direct to insurance companies as they will ocassionally employ new staff and pay for their training)
www.liaisoncollege.com 1047 Main St E, Hamilton (train to become a chef or cook)
Dear Sisters of Soroptimists
The following is a quick update on the Flamborough Women’s Centre activities/new programs. We want to update the Soroptimists every quarter on the success of our programs and the wonderful work done by our counsellors to support women in the Flamborough community. We very much appreciate your support and donation made as we opened our doors in Waterdown.
Highlights: New Programs
* Women’s Resource Books needed – if anyone has new, used, or gently used books to donate please call Amanda at the FWRC 289-895-8580. Any self journey, self help, new mom, inspirational, achievement type of books are appreciated.
* Since April 26th, Legal Advocacy and Duty Counsel are now available through the Waterdown FWRC in Waterdown on Friday’s. Our legal advocate provides court support by attending hearings with women, research/legal assistance with paperwork, guidance through the legal system – since April 26, three (3) Flamborough women have been assisted and accompanied to court.
* Waterdown Highschool Students Fashion Show in April raised $1,500 dollars donated to the FWRC for an Art Therapy program for domestic and sexual assault victims. We were fortunate that a trained art therapist who lives in Freelton contacted us and will donate part of her time to ensure this program can continue after the first 8 week session.
* Journey to Self weekly program, run at the Waterdown offices, is assisting 8 women as they recover from psychological abuse.
* Go Girl program for grade 8 girls is currently in it’s 3rd week. This is a pilot project run by FWRC counsellors at the Flamborough Centre School, requested by the Principal. 18 girls are registered for this in-school one hour session which will run for 8 weeks – more are expected to join. This highly successful program will be offered in 5 Waterdown schools starting in September to grade 6, 7 & 8 girls. Activities include knowing who you are, societies image of the perfect woman, negative imaging of women, who determines beauty media/movie influence – tearing down barriers to self expression. All hugely successful.
* May 12 Credit Counselling session offered free by a local Waterdown business. FWRC will offer one specific for teen girls age 14-18 in June or September.
* June 16th FWRC is holding a sexual support peer to peer training program for women of all ages including teens.
* FWRC is working closely with Waterdown police services, high & elementary schools, medical clinics and dentists. There are increasing requests for support and new programs. We are also receiving many women from north Burlington and Halton Women’s Shelter who have had to move out of Flamborough due to lack of affordable housing and local shelter.
* Private counselling sessions are held weekly on Wednesday at the FWRC. Currently assisting 20 women dealing with family crisis, stalking issues and self esteem/bullying with teens.
Yours in community, with kind regards,
Judi Partridge ~ Advisory Committee
Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre
February 21 2010 under Programs of Service
According to Soroptimist International, fifty-seven percent of teens know someone who has been verbally, physically, or sexually abusive in a dating relationship; females ages 16 to 24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group. Educate yourself on how you can impact the life of a teenager (male or female). Download your copy of the Soroptimist White Paper »
Soroptimist International of the Americas, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, examines the issue of teen dating violence. Dating and intimate relationships are a normal part of growing up for many adolescents. Yet teenagers frequently form their first romantic relationship without a clear understanding of what constitutes a healthy versus an unhealthy relationship. As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to becoming targets of dating abuse. Fifty-seven percent of teens know someone who has been verbally, physically, or sexually abusive in a dating relationship.
Although the patterns and signs of teen dating violence tend to mirror those exhibited in adult abusive relationships, there are some unique issues that teens face. This white paper examines those unique issues as they relate to the factors that influence teen dating violence, as well as the consequences thereof. The paper also addresses the unique obstacles teens face when seeking help and/or deciding to end an abusive relationship.
If you want to get involved, there is a Model Program Kit that you can implement through your club. You can also order Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence bookmarks to distribute. The 2 x 7 inch glossy bookmarks promote healthy dating relationships among teenagers.
Rescued and Restored, Drummond House’s new fundraising initiative, has secured 3,000 square feet of warehouse space on Hwy. 6 thanks to Soroptimist member, Maria Demkowich, owner of J.D.J. Trailer Manufacturers.
The fundraising venture is set to operate as a used furniture, clothing and accessory shop. Funds generated from the sale of items will go towards the shop’s operational costs. Additional funds will support Drummond House’s operational costs.
Organizers and project volunteers, wishing to see a good turnover, are constantly collecting new items. To donate, interested individuals can call project manager Nick Marusich to arrange a pickup: 905-876-8281
Rescued and Restored, located at 1056 Hwy. 6 in Flamborough, is open for business and the public is invited to shop every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Read full story in the Flamborough Review »
February 8 2010 under Programs of Service
December 2009 saw SI-DAF donating $600 of gifts to the Wesley Christmas Store in Hamilton.
The ‘Store’ is set up over the Christmas period for those members of our community who are not fortunate enough financially to be able to buy gifts for their loved ones. The ‘Store’ is made up of two sections, one for gifts and one for food and is managed, in the main, by volunteers, many of whom come back year after year to help make sure everything runs smoothly and that the ’customers’, young and old, male and female, are given a warm welcome.
One visit to the setting up phase of this ‘Store’ brings it home to you just how fortunate the majority of us are. Find out how you can get involved »
January 5 2010 under Programs of Service
We are requesting the help of the community to help share this opportunity:
Women’s Opportunity Award applicants are women, who as head of their household, have returned to school or a training program to improve their working status to assist their family. Download our Women’s Opportunity Award flyer »
Violet Richardson Award applicants are girls between the age of 14-17 years old who volunteer in their community. Download our Violet Richardson Award flyer »
These are our signature programs and we really need to be able to recognize and reward wonderful women who are making a difference in our community, so please assist us in encouraging these women to apply.
Thank you so much.
October 7 2009 under Programs of Service
When the Waterdown Rotary Club offered ‘grants’ to local individuals or service clubs with interesting ideas of how they could put a sum of money to work, Sandy at SI-DAF jumped at the opportunity to receive a portion of this funding. We were all the more grateful when they announced us as one of the winners!
Our plan is to use the funding to help women who are moving on after their stay at Drummond House in Flamborough (a local organization offering temporary housing with practical assistance and compassionate care) by providing them with a little extra financial assistance in their next step of their personal independence. The club’s goal is to take the $500.00 granted to them by the Waterdown Rotary Club and add to it via personal contributions from not only club members, but also from people: right here in our community who also would like to help make a difference.
The goal it to first double or triple the initial amount before the club’s members will then approach local area businesses to purchase gift cards for the ladies. At that time they are hoping the merchants will further contribute to this by providing additional contributions of even more gift cards.
- Centre left: Rotary Club president Wendy Hickey is seen presenting Soroptimist club treasurer Sandy Gray with big bucks representing the $500.00 contribution. The other club ladies are holding what they hope will materialize into real money to further fund this venture.
If you would like to contribute to this endeavour, cash or cheques (payable to SI DAF) may be dropped off at Weeks Hardware to Sandy’s attention: income tax receipts can be made available.
July 13 2009 under Programs of Service
SI-DAF handed out over $2,500 in bursaries at our awards dinner last Thursday, held at the Dundas Golf and Curling Club.
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Elizabeth our Violet Award winner
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Edith our Women’s Opportunity Award winner
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Debra our Making a Difference for Women Award winner
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Honouring our members for years of service
The Violet Richardson Award is given to honour young women age 14 -17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. This year’s award was given to a female student named Elizabeth from Parkside High in Dundas who volunteers with the Junior Civitan Club and answers letters to Santa for the Canada Post. She received $300 plus an additional $200 was donated to the Civitans.
The Women’s Opportunity Award is a grant awarded to female heads of households who need additional skills, training and education to enable them to upgrade their employment status to re-enter the workforce so they can provide adequately for themselves and their families. This is the signature award for Soroptimist International and is awarded in over 125 countries worldwide. This year’s recipient was Edith Kaggwa, a mother of four who has been accepted to the Mo-Mac nursing program.
We were also delighted to have Shirley Eden present the Making a Difference for Women Award to Debra Tigchelaar for her contribution and dedication to Drummond House in Flamborough. Our club provided $750 towards their Gala dance.
We were also delighted to honour three of our club members: Jane Oulton who is a charter member; Nancy Davidson and Shirley McCoy were honoured for their 20 years of service with our club.
