Black Dress Gala raises funds to support survivors of domestic violence

Jun 13, 2024 | 2:30 PM

Over 270 women came together for the 2024 Black Dress Gala held for the first time since 2019.

The fundraiser, held at the Coldstream Community Hall on May 25, and presented by Nixon Wenger, was a celebration of empowering women in the North Okanagan.

Thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, businesses who donated auction items and the individuals who attended the event, over $38,000 (net) was raised for Archway Society for Domestic Peace’s community programs, supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“This funding will allow us to continue to provide community programs that allow for accessible and free counselling for women, children and families, outreach services for women in rural areas, victim support through the justice system and advocacy services for children and youth who have been abused or neglected,” Sherry Demetrick, Co-Executive Director of Archway Society, said.

The Black Dress Organizing Committee is thanking the event sponsors, as well as the volunteers who worked extremely hard to make the evening a success.

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“This event is a big undertaking, but it is truly an amazing night of women coming together to support, encourage, inspire, and learn from each other and most important, look out for one another,” Demetrick remarked.

Demetrick said the society relies on the financial support of the community to carry out its mission, support its clients and create positive change in our community.

“They allow the society to develop, implement and sustain the programs, which are all free and open to anyone who needs support.”

The society said for anyone in an abusive relationship, the risk of lethal violence increases during, or just after, a woman has left an abusive partner, therefore planning for safety is critical.

“A personalized safety plan is a practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. Our trained staff can help in creating an individual safety plan.We want to ensure that no one who is experiencing violence lacks the resources or ability to be safe and to access our support. We can be privately and securely contacted via phone, email, and social media,” the society stated.

The society also provides the following programs:

Stopping the Violence Women’s Counselling: Our counsellors provide free and confidential counselling services, in a safe environment, to women who have or are experiencing violence or abuse.

Women’s Outreach Program: Our outreach worker provides free and confidential mobile support services to women who or are experiencing violence or abuse. We provide support and information while focusing on your needs and safety.

Community-Based Victim Services: Provides free and confidential services women and men who have experienced violence in an intimate relationship, sexual assault, elder abuse or criminal harassment/stalking. We provide specialized support for working with the criminal justice system.

Oak Centre: Is a warm and welcoming place where children and youth who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, or witnessed a crime such as domestic violence can be interviewed by the RCMP and child protection workers. The aim of Oak Centre is to minimize the trauma a child feels when disclosing abuse, assault, or speaking about what they may have witnessed.

ASDP is located at 2400-46 Avenue in Vernon.

Their phone number is 250.558.3850 and you can get more details on their website archwaysociety.ca

by Pete McIntyre

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