Surrey Women's Centre Society

Last week, we were fortunate to host one of our committed supporters, Andrew Petruk. Andrew spent the afternoon making snack bags for our SMART Van team and sorting through donations for our drop-in program. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate the commitment and support from Andrew and his family. Thank you for supporting our work with vulnerable folks in the community!

Support us in supporting families over summer break!
We're collecting sports items to help keep kids in our community active this summer.
We're looking for: unused or lightly used basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs, etc.

Come on by our centre and contribute to our Sports Drive
Dates: July 10th to July 24th.
Drop off time: 10am to 4pm.
Where: 10075 Whalley Blvd.

Please contact: [email protected] if you have any questions!

June is Pride Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate inclusion, diversity and equality.

It's important to recognize that building awareness shouldn't be limited to one month of the year. Engaging in our own self-education should be continuous and it is a crucial element to bringing social change to the wider community.

These books are just a snapshot of the amazing, diverse perspectives coming from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Check them out!

‼️Donations Needed‼️

Every year, our drop-in program serves thousands of vulnerable individuals in our community. Right now, this program needs your help! Please consider dropping off your lightly used items to our centre.

For more information, please visit: https://surreywomenscentre.ca/our-programs-sharing-closet/

Today marks the international day against homophobia, transphobia & biphobia.

We stand in solidarity against the perversive homophobia, transphobia & biphobia experienced within the 2SLGBTQIA community today.

We stand in solidarity to ensure all survivors, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation & gender expression feel safe within our centre and within our communities.

We stand in solidarity today and every day to advocate for a future that promotes acceptance, love and respect.

For Asian Heritage Month, our executive director Shahnaz Rahman sat down with CBC News to discuss her experience of immigrating to Canada and her mother's fiery passion for community advocacy. Watch here:

Shahnaz Rahman, executive director, Surrey Women's Centre Shahnaz Rahman says migrating to Canada was made less isolating by the cultural diversity in B.C., which creates a space where people from all backgrounds can thrive together.

Yesterday, at our "Weaving the Safety Net Together" event, we held space for connection, knowledge sharing, truth speaking and learning. Survivors, frontline workers and community advocates came together to speak about the positive and negative realities for many sexual assault survivors. Needless to say, it was an impactful afternoon.

At Surrey Women's Centre, we feel incredibly fortunate to have brought together so many powerful voices from our community.

We are looking forward to sharing what we learned from these amazing discussions! Be sure to stay tuned.

Today is Red Dress Day.
We want to bring awareness to the over 4,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples in Canada. This day serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing colonial violence experienced by Indigenous women. We want to stand in solidarity with the community advocates, knowledge keepers, survivors and indigenous leaders that remain persistent in their pursuit for safer communities for all Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA peoples.

In commemoration of National Victim and Survivors of Violence Week, Surrey Women’s Centre would like to invite you to an event we believe holds immense importance in our community:

Weaving the Safety Net Together: Discussions on Healing after Sexual Violence

Date: Tuesday May 14th, 2024

Time: 12:30pm – 5:00pm

Location: Surrey City Hall, Community Room A & B – 13450 104 Avenue.

The event will feature frontline workers, advocates and survivors who will share their experiences, insights, and expertise on how best to support underserved communities navigating the complex landscape of sexual violence. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these populations and explore effective strategies for providing support and empowerment.

To attend as an audience member, please register through Eventbrite at your earliest convenience to secure your spot as space is limited. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/893946487007?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you’re interested in participating on one of the roundtable discussions or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Today, folks from Amur Financial Group ( https://amurfinancialgroup.ca/ ) came to our centre and spent some time making snacks, sandwiches and harm reduction kits for tonight's outreach van shift. We want to appreciate this team for their time and their enthusiasm for supporting one of our vital programs! 🙌

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Regardless of culture, socio-economic status or geographical location, sexual assault impacts every community.

Post assault recovery is largely impacted by a number of factors including the presence of a support network, systemic responses and personal resiliency. However, it is important to remember that recovery following an assault is not an individual responsibility but a community responsibility. We all play a role in how survivors recover. By creating communities that believe survivors and challenge pervasive r**e myths, we ensure a smoother path to recovery for those experiencing sexual violence.

At Surrey Women’s Centre, we offer free, individual counselling for survivors of gender-based violence. This client-centered, trauma-informed service offers a safe space for survivors to rebuild their resiliency and strength to move forward in spite of trauma. To learn more, visit us at: https://surreywomenscentre.ca/

As Prevention of Violence Against Women Week comes to an end, we want all survivors to know that we believe you. Every year, our victim support teams assist survivors through their healing journey. Each story told to us on our crisis line, at our drop-in or through our outreach van are valid and worthy of action.

Survivors, we stand with you.

If you need support, please contact our victim support team at 604-583-1295

We want to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to the Provincial Government for their crucial support of our Domestic Violence Unit Program.

Every year, this program, in partnership with Surrey RCMP, provides safety-focused care to survivors of intimate partner violence whose offenders have been deemed a high-risk offender. With this support, we can continue to provide vital support and resources to our clients.

Together, we're creating a safer, more supportive environment for survivors to continue their healing journey!

TW: Gender-based violence

Approximately one in every four women in British Columbia report surviving physical or sexual assault at the hands of an intimate partner. That rate is higher for Indigenous women and people who are gender diverse.

Which is why, alongside community service providers and partners, B.C.’s gender-based violence action plan is taking action on gendered violence through prevention and by strengthening services that people rely in. For those who face intimate partner violence and exploitation, this investment helps survivors rebuild their lives and find safety.

Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the Province is providing funding to help service providers care for more survivors, spend more time addressing the complex needs of survivors.

👉🏼 $100,000 each to the domestic violence units at Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society, Archway Community Services (Abbotsford) and Surrey Women's Centre Society; and
👉🏼 $150,000 to the counter-exploitation unit of the Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Learn more at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30718

📸 BC Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, Kelli Paddon & Shahnaz Rahman, executive director, Surrey Women’s Centre

For National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our volunteers.

From warmly greeting clients at our drop-in to handing out essential supplies to marginalized folks accessing our SMART Van, our volunteers display such dedication and passion for the work we do.

Your commitment makes such a difference to survivors of gender based violence!

If you're interested in volunteering, please visit: https://surreywomenscentre.ca/volunteer-application/

As we all know, hockey is a male-dominated space but one of our amazing supporters is bringing more awareness to issues impacting survivors of domestic violence. Andrew Petruk, a forward for the Everett Silvertips, is a committed supporter of Surrey Women’s Centre. Recently, Andrew hosted a special event to raise funds for the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County. We want to acknowledge and applaud Andrew’s initiative to bringing more community awareness and support for agencies like Surrey Women’s Centre. See the article below for more information about Andrew’s work. Thank you Andrew for all your hard work!

https://chl.ca/whl-silvertips/article/andrew-petruk-to-host-dvs-outing-at-silvertips-game/

Interested in making a difference for sexual assault survivors? Surrey Women's Centre will be opening a new sexual assault centre in Surrey and we cannot do it without the help of survivors. As part of this important endeavour, we are forming an advisory committee. We are recruiting a diverse group of survivors who have experienced sexual violence to help make a difference in their community. If you are interested or want more information, please reach out to Samantha at [email protected].

Together, we're stronger. Surrey Womens Centre and WomenatthecentrE are united in the fight against anti-Black gender-based violence. Join us this as we share our journeys at https://facesofcourage.ca.

The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada / Marci Ien / City of Surrey

Our voices matter. During , join us in raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by Black survivors of gender-based violence. Learn more about our fight for justice at https://facesofcourage.ca.

WomenatthecentrE / The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada

Our voices, our power. This , Surrey Women's Centre stands with WomenatthecentrE to amplify the voices of Black activists in Surrey. Learn more about our work at https://facesofcourage.ca. Together, we rise.

The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada / Marci Ien / City of Surrey

Join us in celebrating by centring the voices of Black women advocating for change in Surrey. Learn more about our fight for justice at https://facesofcourage.ca/. Together, we rise.

WomenatthecentrE / The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada / Marci Ien / City of Surrey

Listen closely. Our stories are not just tales of pain, but of courage, strength, hope, and change. During , learn more about our fight for justice. Visit https://facesofcourage.ca/ to hear our voices.

WomenatthecentrE / The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada / Marci Ien / City of Surrey

Use your voice. Surrey Women's Centre stands strong with WomenatthecentrE to raise awareness about violence against Black women, girls, gender diverse and trans people in Canada. Take our survey for, by and about Black survivors of gender-based violence to create change: https://facesofcourage.ca/survey.

The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada /
Marci Ien

Celebrate Black activists in Surrey. This , join Surrey Women's Centre and WomenatthecentrE in honouring Black activists fighting for justice at the intersections of race and gender. Visit https://facesofcourage.ca/ to hear our voices.

The Amourgynoir Code / Women and Gender Equality Canada / Marci Ien / City of Surrey

As the year ends, remember those facing sexual assault. Surrey Women’s Centre urgently needs your help, especially for Indigenous women and girls at higher risk. Make your last 2023 tax-deductible donation of $100 today to provide immediate emergency services. Donate now: https://bit.ly/40Xm6qS

Sexual assault is a growing crisis in Canada, hitting Indigenous women and girls the hardest. As a social worker and mother, I'm driven to fight for justice. Your donation of $100 can provide an hour of crucial support. Let's change the narrative together. Thank you for standing with survivors: https://bit.ly/40Xm6qS

Celebrating You This Holiday Season! Thanks to you, we brought holiday cheer to over 500 survivors. Your support continues to mean the world to us. As we approach 2024, please remember a tax-deductible donation can make all the difference. Thank you for standing with survivors!

A big thank you from Surrey Women's Centre to the students across Surrey and White Rock for your wonderful acts of charity this holiday season. Your dedication to helping others, highlighted by L.A. Matheson Secondary's generous contribution to our cause, is truly heartwarming. You've not only brought joy to many but also set a great example of community service. Here's to our young community champions!

Lorraine's story is a testament to resilience. Facing abuse and struggle, she found hope at Surrey Women’s Centre. Thanks to your kind support, we can ensure others like her receive immediate attention. Your generous donation today will reduce our trauma counselling wait times.
https://surreywomenscentre.ca/lorraines-story/

Surrey Now-Leader Newspaper - Surrey's number one community newspaper - reported on Surrey Women's Centre's Sexual Assault Clinic coming to Surrey in 2025. Read more: https://bit.ly/3TzeYj9