The Power of One!

Last night I participated in the annual 'Take Back the Night' rally and walk through the streets of downtown Hamilton. Sitting on a bench waiting for the event to start, a woman told me that although this was the first time she was attending TBTN, she strongly believed in the need to claim back the streets as places where women can safely walk. She told me of being dragged off a sidewalk into an alley and raped and stabbed 30 years ago. She recalled that after the attack another man saw her distress and accompanied her to the local emergency department where she received treatment and follow-up with the police. The perpetrator was found, convicted and sent to jail.

It was interesting to hear that today, some 30 years later, she cannot recall how long he was in jail yet she recalls with clarity and gratitude the kindness of the stranger who helped her get to the hospital. "If that kind Samaritan had not helped me, I would not ever have been able to move forward". 

The power of one!

Nancy Sullivan, CSJ

Hurrah for St. Thomas and Elgin County!

St. Thomas and Elgin County reached heroic heights this past year by raising $1,100,000 toward building a new shelter for Violence Against Women Services Elgin County --- and they’re at it again as this year’s 4^th annual “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” event kicks off at Pinafore Park on September 28^th. Already the participant list is growing as men sign up to wear women’s shoes and walk a mile to publicly commit and raise awareness and funds toward ending violence in the St. Thomas/ Elgin area.

I was privileged to attend the June 24^th Celebration of Building Hope. Saving Lives. Smiles were on the faces of the capacity gathering at CASO Station in St. Thomas where Liz Brown, executive director and board members of Violence Against Women Services thanked the city and county for being part of the 1,000 conversations and many fund raising efforts that resulted in the  over one million dollar bonanza.

During the celebration, we heard repeated gratitude and joy for how a small city and surrounding county working together could create dreams and help them to become a reality by many enthusiastic people working together for a lofty goal.

Although St. Thomas/Elgin has raised their share of the shelter’s building costs, they expectantly await the two million in provincial contributions to make the building a reality. However, the project is well on its way.

It is amazing to see how a few motivated individuals inspired by a dream can mobilize an entire community to noble acts of generosity and compassion. A comment on the agency’s website aptly sums up the situation: “It is wonderful to hear that the County of Elgin fully supports safety for women and children. Despite this community’s many economic challenges, the people of Elgin/St. Thomas are truly generous.” Blessings and kudos to all those involved in a most worthy venture.

Jean Moylan, CSJ