"Bernice’s arrival at Interim Place marked a new chapter in her life"
Dear Supporter,
During the holiday season, in the midst of the joy and celebration, we ask that you take a moment to remember the women and children that are fleeing violence and are staying at Interim Place’s shelter. Women like Bernice who leave everything behind, to give her children the single most important gift of the season “safety”.
When Bernice first arrived at the shelter with her son, Josh aged 10 and her daughter, Sarah aged 7, she was anxious about the decision she had made to leave her husband. She kept thinking to herself “I can still go back now; he won’t even know I left”. She questioned her decision and the impact that this would have on her and her children’s lives. From time to time as Bernice spoke to the counselor at Interim Place, she looked over to her children with reassuring eyes, so that they knew that they were in a safe place. Bernice thought back to where she had been the night before and how for the very first time in the 11 years of her marriage she decided enough was enough!
She had been sexually abused by her husband in the past but remained silent. She was even verbally and physically abused as her children stood watching in horror. But it was not until last night when her daughter was hit for the very first time that she realized that abuse may be her reality but it was not one that she wanted for her children.
She questioned the impact this was having on her children and whether she should have gotten out sooner? It was then that Bernice decided to call Interim Place, the local women’s shelter after her husband left for work that morning. When she spoke to the counsellor she was given all of the information she needed to safely leave her home.
Interim Place was the beginning of a new chapter in Bernice’s and her children’s lives. Interim Place provided Bernice with one-on-one counseling, group sessions, housing assistance and legal assistance as well as counseling and recreational supports for her children, which assisted in the healing that Bernice expressed she was seeking in order to move forward with her life.
When Bernice left Interim Place she left with the feeling that she was not alone in her experience and that she deserves better for herself and her children.
Women and children in your community are living with abuse and many families are being impacted by violence. It may be someone you know or someone you are close to as 1 in 3 women in Peel will experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Interim Place plays a critical role in supporting women and their children break the cycle of violence and works towards ending violence in your community.
Your contribution supports the work of Interim Place in continuing to provide programs and services in the community so other women like Bernice can give her children the gift of “safety” during the holidays. There are many reasons to give, for example:
$50– will cover the cost of a taxi ride for a woman like
Bernice and her two children to be brought safely to Interim Place.
Everyone deserves to be safe and to be treated with honour, respect and dignity.
Please take a moment to donate online now and make a difference in the lives of many women and children in Peel.
Thank you in advance for donating generously!
With your help WE can close the door on abuse and open the door to hope!
With Gratitude,
Sharon Floyd,
Executive Director
Interim Place
During the holiday season, in the midst of the joy and celebration, we ask that you take a moment to remember the women and children that are fleeing violence and are staying at Interim Place’s shelter. Women like Bernice who leave everything behind, to give her children the single most important gift of the season “safety”.
When Bernice first arrived at the shelter with her son, Josh aged 10 and her daughter, Sarah aged 7, she was anxious about the decision she had made to leave her husband. She kept thinking to herself “I can still go back now; he won’t even know I left”. She questioned her decision and the impact that this would have on her and her children’s lives. From time to time as Bernice spoke to the counselor at Interim Place, she looked over to her children with reassuring eyes, so that they knew that they were in a safe place. Bernice thought back to where she had been the night before and how for the very first time in the 11 years of her marriage she decided enough was enough!
She had been sexually abused by her husband in the past but remained silent. She was even verbally and physically abused as her children stood watching in horror. But it was not until last night when her daughter was hit for the very first time that she realized that abuse may be her reality but it was not one that she wanted for her children.
She questioned the impact this was having on her children and whether she should have gotten out sooner? It was then that Bernice decided to call Interim Place, the local women’s shelter after her husband left for work that morning. When she spoke to the counsellor she was given all of the information she needed to safely leave her home.
Interim Place was the beginning of a new chapter in Bernice’s and her children’s lives. Interim Place provided Bernice with one-on-one counseling, group sessions, housing assistance and legal assistance as well as counseling and recreational supports for her children, which assisted in the healing that Bernice expressed she was seeking in order to move forward with her life.
When Bernice left Interim Place she left with the feeling that she was not alone in her experience and that she deserves better for herself and her children.
Women and children in your community are living with abuse and many families are being impacted by violence. It may be someone you know or someone you are close to as 1 in 3 women in Peel will experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Interim Place plays a critical role in supporting women and their children break the cycle of violence and works towards ending violence in your community.
Your contribution supports the work of Interim Place in continuing to provide programs and services in the community so other women like Bernice can give her children the gift of “safety” during the holidays. There are many reasons to give, for example:
$50– will cover the cost of a taxi ride for a woman like
Bernice and her two children to be brought safely to Interim Place.
Everyone deserves to be safe and to be treated with honour, respect and dignity.
Please take a moment to donate online now and make a difference in the lives of many women and children in Peel.
Thank you in advance for donating generously!
With your help WE can close the door on abuse and open the door to hope!
With Gratitude,
Sharon Floyd,
Executive Director
Interim Place