Creatrix Rising – Exploring Stories through Art – Art Exhibit
Archway Society for Domestic Peace wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Creatrix Rising Art Exhibit such a success! From the volunteers and many visitors who came through the exhibit to the generous artist mentors and supporters who helped bring it all together—this event was truly a celebration of creativity and bravery of the incredible 6 artists who shared their creative works of art.
Creatrix Rising is a program of Archway Society that helps survivors of domestic violence explore their stories through art. From September through February 2025, art workshops in a variety of mediums were offered by artist mentors. Some of the participants, which we also refer to as the artists, choose to put their art into the Creatrix Rising Exhibit.
The Creatrix Rising Exhibit opened on March 7th with a great celebratory opening night, with live music bringing an artistic ambience throughout the evening. The exhibit was open until March 13th for visitors to drop in during open hours and enjoy the exhibit in a thoughtful way, more fully engaging with the emotional expressions within the art work. In total the exhibit welcomed 104 visitors. The response from visitors brought rave reviews, with several pieces being purchased, which brought a lot of delight to the artists. Guests described the exhibit as “Powerful,” “Inspiring,” and “Heart-warming and breaking all at once.”
Thank you again to all involved for making Creatrix Rising such a meaningful and unforgettable experience. We look forward to more opportunities to create, connect, and inspire together with our partners.
This Art Exhibit and journey of healing could not have been done without the generosity of our Funders;
UBCO through PRE Fund (Partnership, Recognition and Exploration fund) Award from The Leon and Thea Koerner Legacy Fund
Exhibit Sponsors:
Caetani Centre
Gum tree Catering
Farming Karma Fruit Co.
The Room Collection
Fair View Family Law
Our Workshop Partners;
Vernon Community Arts Centre
Opus Art Supplies
Caetani House
Our Artist Mentors;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Silmara Emde
Auroara Leigh
our Volunteer Committee Members;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Jody Swart
Patty Farmer
Sue Rooks
Charlotte Barker
Other Volunteers:
Maliya Canty
Bonnie Cameron
Grace Erikson
Brigitte Stass
Opening Night Volunteers and program contributors:
• Margret Clark – Community Elder OKIB – Welcome • Cindy Klassen – CR program lead – MC • Micki Materi – Archway Society ED – Archway spokesperson • Cyndie Roufousse and Daughter Mystery – Indigenous drummers/singers – Song Share • Auroara Leigh – Artist Mentor – song share • Orion Miller – musician – Mood setting music through the evening • Charlotte Baker, Patti farmer, Sue Rooks, Sharon Gaudry and Asana Hughes – Volunteers • Photographer – Seraya Klassen
Invitation to complete a survey titled “The Lived Experience of Survivors of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in the BC Legal System”
An independent review is presently being conducted of the BC legal system’s treatment of sexual and intimate partner violence. Through the hard work of survivors and advocates, a lot has already been learned about what is necessary to improve the way that the legal system responds to these forms of gender-based violence. The review and associated research will build on that good work.
However, it is important for the review to hear from those with lived experience about your experiences within the BC legal system in a manner that ensures that you have access to support resources available to you.
This survey has been co-designed by people with lived experience of sexual and intimate partner violence, and reviewed by people who work in the anti-violence sector. We think it’s important to learn more about your experiences and to hear your recommendations about what works well and where improvement is needed.
The survey asks questions about your experience with the BC legal system in order to better understand what was good and bad about your experience, what supports were most helpful to you, and what might have improved your experience. It will not ask you to describe the violence that you experienced. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, and the BC Society of Transition Houses will provide the support you need regardless of whether you decide to participate. If you do decide to participate, you can skip any question you don’t want to answer and you can share as much or as little information as you wish. The survey is anonymous and you will not be paid for your time. You can choose to provide your email address if you would like to receive a copy of the report that will be produced.
The information we gather will be shared with BC’s systemic review of the legal system’s treatment of sexual and intimate partner violence and will form the basis of publications about survivors’ experiences in the BC legal system. We hope that this survey will lead to improvements in how the legal system interacts with survivors.
The survey will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, if you answer every question.
This survey is being conducted by Professor Emma Cunliffe at UBC’s Allard School of Law. If you have any questions about the survey, you can contact her by email: cunliffe@allard.ubc.ca or phone: 604 822 1849.
Request for Proposal (RFP) – closes January 15, 2025
1. Statement of Purpose
Archway Society for Domestic Peace is seeking a consultant, or consulting firm, to lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy for Archway Society. The Fund Development Consultant is responsible for the development, management, and oversight of efforts to raise money to support Society’s programs and activities, and to cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors. This includes but is not limited to general community donations, major gifts, legacy gifts, fundraising events, annual and one-time giving campaigns.
This position will identify, organize, and manage the fundraising activities of Archway Society for Domestic Peace, with a focus on new opportunities to support operational and program needs from businesses, public and private organizations, as well as individuals in the community.
B. Organization and Project Background
For over 40 years, our agency has been a trailblazer in addressing domestic violence and sexual assault, setting a standard for leadership and innovation in the field. As one of the first women’s shelters in the province, we established a safe haven for survivors at a time when such resources were scarce. Since then, we have continued to pioneer transformative approaches, developing pilot programs that have redefined support systems and services for those affected by violence. Our unwavering commitment to empowering survivors and fostering systemic change has positioned us as a leader in the movement, constantly adapting to meet evolving needs with compassion and forward-thinking solutions.
Archway Society for Domestic Peace continues to evolve as a full-service agency, providing wrap-around support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, victims of crime, and empowering women, children and families to lead lives with dignity and respect. This includes safe shelter, counselling, advocacy and victim support as well as many community partnerships that make our community safer for everyone.
As our programs and services expand, and our clients’ needs become more complex, funding has not kept pace with community needs. As a result, we are seeking the support of a fund development professional to ensure the financial sustainability of our programs and services for years to come.
C. Project Scope
This is a multi-phased project. Phase 1 and 2 focus on conducting a Feasibility Study, and developing and implementing a Comprehensive Fundraising Plan. Phase 3, developing and implementing a Capital Campaign, is outside the scope of this request.
Phase One – Feasibility Study
Assess current fundraising activities and ROI
Set achievable goals for and comprehensive plans
Identify and remove barriers to success
Develop a ‘Case for Support’ for prospective donors
Form a working committee of board members, leadership, and staff
Phase Two – Plan Development, Implementation, and Review
A. Develop Work Plans
Create a Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign plan, including timelines, target groups, strategies, and goals.
Draft campaign materials and donor outreach
Identify major donor prospects with tailored
B. Implement Fundraising Plan
Train Board and leadership team
Manage all campaign activities: donor meetings, events,
Promote and secure community
Ensure compliance with policies and
Report monthly progress to Co-Executive Directors and
Develop donor recognition
C. Review and Reporting
Track and report progress
Maintain confidentiality of all
Represent Archway Society in the community as
D. Contract Details
Start date – January 2025 Completion date – March 31, 2026
E. Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Experience – please outline your experience with similar projects (size, type of organization, size of community, targets, achievements, etc.)
Proposed Work Plan – The proposal should include a description of the key activities to be conducted by the consultant including a timeline with key milestones and budgets.
References
Cost – Itemized cost of services
Quotes must be inclusive of all costs, including taxes, expenses, and fees. There is no reimbursement for costs associated with preparing or submitting proposals in response to this RFP.
Note –In order to avoid any conflicts of interests, interested parties are asked to disclose if they are presently doing any fundraising work in the area.
F. Submission Deadline January 15, 2025
Please submit proposals to: Anne-Marie Hague, HR Officer; hr@archwaysociety.ca
Tim Hortons second-annual Holiday Smile Cookie campaign is returning from Nov. 18 to 24 with 100 per cent of proceeds donated to local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
Last year, Tims guests helped raise $9.8 million through the inaugural Holiday Smile Cookie campaign. The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie is a delicious white chocolate sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and hand-decorated with a white icing smile face.
This year, we’re very proud to announce that Archway Society for Domestic Peace has been selected as a recipient of Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie fundraiser! From Nov. 18 to 24, 100 per cent of proceeds from each Holiday Smile Cookie sold at a Vernon or Lumby Tim Hortons will help to support Archway Society and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
Unfortunately, violence against women is far more common than we realize— two in five Canadian women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Many may not know that a friend, neighbour or coworker could be affected by domestic violence, as 80 per cent of intimate partner violence cases continue to go unreported.
While many communities across Canada are experiencing a significant spike in intimate partner violence since 2020, shelters across the country lack adequate funds to support the high number of women and children escaping domestic violence. The number of women and children served by our Transition House increased 62% since the last fiscal year. 226 women were served for a total of 3056 night stays, with 113 children served for a total of 2240 night stays.
Organizations like Archway Society for Domestic Peace help women who experience intimate partner violence, providing life-saving services such as safe shelter (transition house program), counselling, Justice advocacy, child and youth advocacy, outreach services, and collaborative community projects. Our agency is invaluable in the community, providing support and counselling through 18 programs across 6 locations in the North Okanagan, designed to assist women, children and families in need.
Sweeten Your Coffee Breaks Imagine the joy of sharing delicious Smile Cookies with your team, paired perfectly with your coffee. Not only will you be enjoying a treat, but you’ll also be spreading smiles within your organization and throughout our community.
How to Get Involved • Bulk Orders: Make it a group effort by placing a bulk order for your team or organization. It’s a great way to foster team spirit while supporting a worthy cause. • Spread the Word: Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to participate. The more cookies sold, the greater the impact we can make together. Click here to download a fillable bulk cookie order form that can be emailed to your favourite local Tim Hortons (locations and email addresses are on the form)
For more information email engagement@archwaysociety.ca or call 250-309-8401
Archway Society for Domestic Peace and Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre want victims to know they have support, following a warning from RCMP on the growing threat of sextortion and other forms of online exploitation.
Earlier this month, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP released a public warning to raise awareness on the growing threat of sextortion and other forms of online exploitation. Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a program under Archway Society for Domestic Peace, would like to reinforce the warning, and remind residents that they can provide support for children, youth and families who may be victims. Oak Centre is a partnership of multiple North Okanagan-based agencies who work together to provide a collaborative response to children, youth, and their families, who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, or witnessed a crime. Crimes against children and youth can take many forms such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including sextortion and online exploitation. There is increased concern for young men and boys ages 13 to 15, who seem to be recent targets online.
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where sexual content is used to benefit, usually financially, from a victim. Typically, it starts when the victim is contacted by someone who coerces the victim into providing nude or sexual images or videos. They then threaten to share the images or videos unless their demands for money, or more content, are met.
“We want to ensure that young people and their parents have support if this crime happens to them. You do not have to navigate this on your own” says Brooke McLardy, Oak Centre’s Manager. We encourage parents, caregivers and the community at large to learn about how to protect themselves. There are a number of organizations who have great resources to help parents, caregivers, children, and youth safely maintain an online presence:
To contact Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre for more information, visit their website at oakcentrevernon.ca, or call and speak to a Child and Youth Advocate at 778-475-2920.
