On November 7 Alpha House, a home for women who have left abusive partners, will hold its 17th annual fundraiser dinner.
According to Statistics Canada, 18% of people who have been victims of domestic violence in Canada reported their daily lives being disrupted due to the violence. The report also said that women are three times more likely than men to experience violence so severe that their daily lives are disrupted.
For many reasons it can be very difficult to leave an abusive partner. After leaving, there is the further obstacle of overcoming the trauma while living a healthy and productive life. That’s where Alpha House comes in.
Women, with their children, can live at Alpha House for up to nine months after leaving an abusive partner. The women and their children are given counseling to help them cope with the trauma they’ve experienced.
“It’s very helpful for someone who has been traumatized by their relationship, and who also have children who were traumatized by that relationship, to get that kind of support and service,” said Karen van Leusden, follow-up worker at a women’s shelter. Since Alpha House opened in 1995, 138 women have used their services.
Alpha House receives government funding, but they still require donations of both time and money to continue running, said Glenda Dean, Alpha House Executive Director. Every year Alpha House holds a fundraiser dinner in order to spread awareness about their project and raise money for their cause.
Van Leusden said, “It’s a good place to invest your money. You’re investing in the future of women who need help and, more importantly, for their children who are going to be affected by having gone through the experience of having their mother abused by their father.”
At the dinner there will be speakers, including a past resident of Alpha House who will speak about her experience there, and raffle prizes. Artwork created by the residents themselves will be auctioned off.
“It’s very meaningful and powerful,” Dean said.
For more information, or to purchase a ticket to the event, visit www.alphahouseinc.com.
