This is Rachel's story of transformation:
My name is Rachel. I was married with two children. I was pursuing a career, paying a mortgage and trying to make ends meet like so many other Canadians. At the height of my success, things were going smoothly, except for the fact that I was married to an abuser. Thinking about the hardship I endured still makes me cry.
Not surprisingly, I was overwhelmed by anxiety over my life. The lowest point came when I feared that my husband would begin to abuse our children. My husband would not work, would not help, and would not leave me alone. As is often true, it is not until we hit the lowest point in our lives that thankfully hope appears. I turned to Scarborough Women's Centre for help.
The Information Counsellor at the Centre listened to my situation and gave me realistic options. I clearly needed planning and information about legal, financial and emotional support systems available. She directed me to several agencies, and I started to feel confident that I would be able to manage.
One night, the violence erupted. My children and I left my husband and stayed with a neighbour for a few days. With the research and support I got from the Centre, I was able to begin the transformation of my life, rather than feel hopeless and forced to go back.
As the year wore on, there was also the upcoming stress of Christmas, which was fast approaching. I could not afford gifts for the children. They were at the age that they should be able to just be kids and not have to feel the burden of finances on their young shoulders. I felt that I had leaned on Scarborough Women's Centre often enough and was close to not calling them again, but the children were a priority and I had to do what I could. The Centre was happy to hear from me and their generosity was incredible. They helped get gifts for my daughters and provided food vouchers for a nearby grocery store. It was the Centre that brought Christmas to our home, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
The Scarborough Women's Centre in Toronto assists any woman wanting to leave an abusive or isolated situation. We do this by providing information, education and support services. We are asking for donations so we may continue to serve the diverse needs of women in Scarborough.
Consider the following Statistics Canada information:
* One in five women is abused by her male partner. In fact, at some time in her life, one out of every two women experiences violence in a trust relationship.
* Scarborough has one of the highest percentages of single parent families in the province. 85% of all single parent families are headed by women.
The challenges our clients face are not private ones. Abuse, poverty, and poor health affect entire families -- for generations. These are grave social issues that tear at the fabric of our society. The number of women and children who need help continues to grow. If you lend a hand now, that support will ripple throughout entire families and the community. SWC can enable women to make positive change in their lives by helping them to access support.
Each year the Scarborough Women's Centre helps thousands of women. The demand for services continues to grow. Recent cuts in government spending have affected key social services in the City of Toronto. These cuts have hurt those who are ill-equipped to help themselves. With your support Scarborough Women's Centre can continue to help women in need, women who want to access help.
$50 will provide telephone counselling to help one woman get back on her feet
$200 will train two volunteer counsellors or mentors in our 1: 1 support program
$500 will provide a life skills course for 20 women. The centre offers educational courses such as self-esteem, parenting skills, and family law
[These figures are out of date, but you get the idea.] Please consider becoming a friend of Scarborough Women's Centre. Your support will help the women in your community who struggle daily against poverty, violence, and physical and emotional health problems.
DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE - 0676627-09-13
(416) 439-7111
email: scar.wom.ctr@sympatico.ca
www.scarboroughwomenscentre.ca
Scarborough Women's Centre is a non
profit charitable organization # 10795 9660 RR001.
All donations over $10. will be receipted. Thank you so much!
This fundraising letter was sent out by the Centre some years ago, but the SWC is still going strong. I have been delighted with the help that the Centre has given to counselling clients I have referred to them.--Beth Mares, South Scarborough marriage counsellor
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