Navigation, this project was able to support primarily people experiencing domestic violence, women and girls, and racialized people. The project delivered twenty-one webinars and 4 weeks of mindfulness, healing, and self-care workshops.
Women Focus Canada (WFC) received the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund from the Canadian Red Cross Society to Address Domestic Violence Issues During COVID-19 in 2020.
The project’s purpose was to address domestic violence issues aggravated by the pandemic, and its effects such as isolation measures and providing direct service delivery to those who are most vulnerable to the health, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19.
In response, the project provided a 3-month Zoom empowered series, targeted 50 vulnerable women and girls, addressed individual and group wellness and self-care counseling/therapy, employment and re-skilling counsel and support, intimate partner violence education, legal advocacy education, spiritual support, and access to long-term supports and resources.
By tackling the problem of social inclusion, home care, or personal support Services, mental health and wellness, legal support, safety, information, and community
The top 3 achievements of the Project are:
- A total of 156 women and girls who are survivors and at risk of Domestic violence participated in a series of empowerment workshops and one-on-one sessions. The project exceeded its target goal threefold.
- The partnering organization on this project, increased its knowledge and understanding of the challenges women and non-binary individuals are experiencing due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnering organization feels better positioned to expand on the work of this project in elevating its support to vulnerable women and girls.
- Women Focus Canada expanded its partnership network through its collaborative relationship with a Shelter in the GTA in the execution of this project.
COVID-19 Addressing Domestic Violence Impact Stories
During Drumming Circles, participants shared:
“I feel so energized.” – J.
“Thank you so much. It really refreshed my mind.” – W.
Feedback from the Mindful Self-Care/Restorative Yoga sessions included:
“I have learned that meditation and yoga is a form of self-care which is an important part of maintaining a healthy balance of mind and body” – L.
“Mindful self-care was effective in alleviating day-to-day stress. If there was an opportunity to attend another series, I would participate and recommend to others” – F.
From our session on “Family Law & Family Mediation,” some participants shared:“If I had to get this legal advice from a Lawyer, I will be so much money. We’re so happy that this kind of education is happening at this time.” I.
At the end of the girls’ session on “Healthy Relationships”, participants shared:“The most important thing I took away was to have confidence in yourself which includes the decisions, values, and beliefs you have. I will use this to build healthier relationships with others and myself.” M.