Community Award

Congratulations to Ashley Heinrichs!

The Women’s Resource Centre Staff and Board Members wish to recognize and congratulate Ashley Heinrichs, Child and Youth Counsellor, who received the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation Community Award. Ashley created an art therapy workbook for children who have been exposed to or have experienced domestic violence. The process of art therapy is to encourage children to express thoughts, emotions and experiences through the creation of art. Ashley’s commitment to working with some of the most vulnerable children and youth in our community is exemplary and we are truly thankful that she is part of the centre.

The workbook is available through the Women’s Resource Centre and is free to families and agencies.

About Our Community Resource Advocate Position

A Message from Amy Betker, Community Resource Advocate

The Community Resource Advocate position was created in March of this year. It is a new position for The Women’s Resource Centre as well as a new position to me. I have spent the past few months becoming more familiar with the resources available in Brandon and Westman and spending time with women on a one-on-one basis to find out what women in our community need assistance with. I have found the main areas of need to be in relation to: child care, EIA (Employment and Income Assistance), affordable housing, Legal Aid and assistance navigating the legal system, and entering or re-entering the workforce. I offer support to women who are experiencing difficulty or are facing barriers while trying to navigate resources such as these. It has been, and continues to be, a wonderful learning experience and I look forward to the further development of this position as I gain experience and knowledge.

Sincerely,

Amy Betker

Travelling Postcard Project

Thank You for Participating!

The Women's Resource Centre held a Travelling Postcard Project for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in November. During the month, women and children came in and made over 150 handmade postcards filled with messages of hope, wisdom and empowerment. The postcards are being sent to other women and children who are accessing services at women's resource centres and shelters in Manitoba.

We would like to thank everyone who spread the word about this project or came in to make a postcard!

Ongoing Programs

Yoga, Legal Clinics, Computers, and More!

Did you know that The Women's Resource Centre offers several wonderful programs and services, on an ongoing basis, in addition to counselling?

One of our most popular ongoing programs is our free yoga classes.  Yoga classes are offered on the first and third Wednesday of every month, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., at Central United Church.  Advance registration isn't necessary.

Another popular ongoing program is our free legal clinics.  This is your chance to meet with a lawyer for twenty minutes to ask any questions you want!  The legal clinics are held for one morning in the last week of every month (except December).  The lawyer is always female.  Call us to book an appointment!

We also have computers for public use and a phone for local calling.  Black-and-white printing, photocopying, and faxing are also available for $0.10 per page.  We also have a wall of brochures and a bookshelf filled with reference materials that you might find useful.  You can also come by to read the paper, grab a free cup of coffee, or just hang out.

Welcome Our New Program Coordinator

A Message from Stephanie Doerksen, Program Coordinator

I joined The Women's Resource Centre in October as the organization's new Program Coordinator.  I'm very excited to work with an organization that works to support women's rights and end family violence!

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) with a major in English and a minor in gender and women's studies.  I also hold a Master of Arts degree in English.  Women's literature was one of my main areas of focus.

I have worked for several non-profits in Brandon including: Daly House Museum, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, the Brandon General Museum and Archives, the Brandon University Students' Union, and Manitoba Communities in Bloom.  I have also sat on the Daly House Museum Board of Directors for nearly three years and am currently the Organization's Second Vice-president.

I look forward to meeting all of you in the Centre!

Welcome Our New Spanish-speaking Counsellor

A Message from Rosabel Sarmiento, Spanish-speaking Counsellor

My name is Rosabel Sarmiento. I have a Bachelor degree in Psychology which I received in my home country of Colombia. I had the opportunity to work in projects of Public Health related with psychosocial risks in communities with unfavorable conditions settled in my home city. As an immigrant and Professional in Mental Health, I know that to move to a foreign country brings huge challenges for people who start a new life far away from their home countries. The adaptation process affect psychologically in different ways to immigrants. When I came to Canada, I asked myself several times, how I could do to help other Latin women to deal with that. Then, it was my approaching to Brandon Latina Women’s Association as a volunteer which allowed me to know from some of them much more about all of those kinds of situations that Latin women face since they were living in their countries of origin until coming to live in Canada as immigrants. The barrier of language on some Latin women limits their communication with others bringing uncomfortable and hopeless feelings and thoughts to their daily lives. Through my position as a Spanish Counsellor in this Feminist Organization, I’m pleased to work for those who may think that they are alone and can’t change their lives in a positive way. This Organization welcomes all Latinas to participate in our programs and get counselling service allowing a closer interaction in a beautiful language like Spanish.

Major Funders

The Government of Manitoba: Family Violence Prevention Program
The United Way of Brandon & District

Program Funders

The City of Brandon
Margaret Laurence Endowment Fund
Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life
Manitoba Community Services Council
The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba
The Thomas Sill Foundation
Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation

2014 Corporate Challenge Sponsors

Title Sponsor:
BDO Canada LLP

Awards BBQ Sponsor:
Investors Group

Event Sponsors:
Branstone Financial Strategies
Brandon Regional Nurses
Hair Today / Mall Barbers
Patterson Patterson Wyman and Abel
Commission Rebate Realty