Rowan House enjoyed busy month raising awareness about Domestic Violence and its services
Family Violence Prevention Month is recognized in November across Canada, and while timing differs in other countries, it worked out nicely for us as the Global Network of Women’s Shelters met for the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters in The Hague, Netherlands November 3rd-6th. Rowan House Society Executive Director, Sherrie Botten attended the conference. Besides being an ambassador for Alberta shelters and specifically Rowan House Emergency Shelter, Sherrie presented 2 workshops to the 1000+ attendees from over 120 countries!
Sherrie presented a workshop on “Trauma Informed Care in a Domestic Violence Shelter”, highlighting the work being done at Rowan House to ensure every aspect of our programming is trauma-informed. She also presented a workshop on “The Importance of Self Care and the Impact of Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue”, specifically on shelter workers. Sherrie has presented locally and internationally and is available to bring this work to your site. Please contact her at director@rowanhouse.ca for more information.
Rowan House staff also got busy hanging purple ribbons on trees and light posts throughout the down town core to raise awareness and get people talking. We included some stats from Rowan House and some facts about domestic violence. Did you know violence knows no boundaries and can occur in all age, racial, economic, educational, occupational and faith groups?
Finally, a huge thank you to the Okotoks and High River Sobeys for raising awareness and funds for Rowan House during Family Violence Prevention Month and to the community for supporting the campaign. Together the stores raised just over $2,600!
Click here to see more pictures, video and audio from our activities this month.