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Archive for May, 2012

May Day of Action: Status For All

Posted on: May 7th, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

On Monday May 1st, Nellie’s participated in the May Day of Action: Status for All organized by No One Is Illegal.  This event was part of a world-wide movement to mark International Workers’ Day, as workers unite in solidarity in over 80 countries to raise awareness about Worker’s Rights and the fight for a more just and equitable world for everyone.

With Nellie’s staff, volunteers, and clients, we marched in the rally at Nathan Philips Square and participated in the cultural celebration and festivities that followed.

We marched to stop the cuts, expand services to all, to respect Indigenous sovereignty, insist that no one is illegal, for international workers solidarity, to defend and expand public services, to stop prison expansion and corporate handouts, to end imperialist wars and aggression, to build people’s power, and to move beyond capitalism.  For more information on the May Day of Action, please visit No One Is Illegal.

No One Asks For It – Wear Purple on May 4th

Posted on: May 2nd, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

On Friday, May 4th, 2012 thousands of supporters across Canada will be wearing purple in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month! In its second year, this exciting and simple social media campaign is called No One Asks For It and you can view the Facebook event page here.

Across Canada, May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We know that sexual abuse and sexualized violence in our communities is far more common than most people think.

According to a 2006 Statistics Canada report, one in three women will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. In 2008, Statistics Canada reported that over half (59%) of the police-reported sexual assault victims were under the age of 18; 81% of young victims were female and 19% were male.

Despite the prevalence and impact of sexualized crimes, sexual assaults have notoriously low reporting rates; more than 90% of victims do not report their experiences to the police.

One of the biggest hurdles that women and children face after experiencing sexual assault is the insidious notion that somehow they “asked for it” by what they were wearing, where they were, what they were doing, what they were drinking, or whom they kept company with. No doubt, this impacts many people’s decision to remain silent after experiencing an assault.

The first annual No One Asks For It! in 2011 was created in response to a number of high profile examples of victim-blaming in Canadian news. A facebook event page was launched as part of a local campaign which spread like wildfire across the nation; more than 17,000 organizations and individuals in Canada signed up to wear purple last year on the first Friday in May!

For 2012, we want to build on the success of last year’s campaign and make a powerful impact across Canada!

It’s simple to get involved!

  • RSVP your attendance to No One Asks For It! Wear Purple on Friday, May 4th, 2012. 
  • Invite all your facebook friends to attend as well!
  • Post the event on your facebook wall.
  • Share the facebook event page on Twitter and use the hashtag #NoOneAsksForIt
  • Organize Wear Purple events in your schools, businesses, social group, or faith group!
  • Most importantly… Wear Purple on Friday, May 4th, 2012 and tell people why you’re doing it!

Let’s stand together on Friday, May 4th, 2012 in recognition of those in our nation who have experienced sexual violence!

House Meetings Bring Shelter Residents Together At Nellie’s

Posted on: May 1st, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

Every Wednesday evening after dinner, the women at Nellie’s gather in the living room for a House Meeting. This presents an opportunity to spend time with one another, bond over snacks, and discuss important house issues.

Lil, one of our consellors and Monica our house coordinator facilitate this meeting.  The meeting usually starts with a check-in, where every woman has the opportunity to share with the group how she’s feeling and how her week is going. There is often a ‘question of the day’ incorporated into the check-in which spurs creativity and openness. The House Meeting is not simply a space where chores, announcements and needed household items are discussed; it is also a very inclusive and validating space.

(Lil and Monica co-ordinate Nellie’s House Meetings)

Every week, the women have a chance to thank and appreciate one another. For example, a women might thank another women in the house for helping her with her laundry or with childcare. Whenever a women comes to her first House Meeting, she is welcomed with a round of applause and given words of encouragement from the other women in the house. It is also a space for women to share what kind of programming that they are interested in, which will later be incorporated into the agenda by the programming staff. Sometimes, there are guest speakers on topics which range in discussion from affordable housing to racism to transphobia. Other times the meeting includes relaxation and reflection exercises such as meditation.  At the end of each meeting, staff hold a raffle for prizes for the women.

The House Meetings at Nellie’s bring women together, encourage discussion, processing and problem-solving, and most importantly, create a sense of community.