The holidays are meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, but we know that for women and children experiencing domestic abuse it is far from this and can be a frightening and isolating time. Come see us in Village Green Shopping Centre at our Heart of the Holidays booth and find out the different ways that you can support Archway Society and the women and families that we’ve helped, and are helping.
Monetary donations are always welcome, you can buy a raffle ticket for a luxury hardwood dog crate from Hope Springs FURniture, purchase one of our wonderful tote bags, learn more about our seventeen programs we offer or about becoming a volunteer!
We couldn’t do it without our 2023 Booth sponsors! a big shout out to Lake City Casinos, SilverRock Land Corp and World Health and Fitness
For more than 25 years, Tim Hortons guests have come to know and love Tim Hortons annual Smile Cookie campaign. Now, to celebrate the gift of kindness and to help make a difference this holiday season, Tim Hortons is launching its first-ever National Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign.
From November 13 – 19, 2023, 100 percent of proceeds from each Holiday Smile Cookie sold will be donated to local charities and community groups across Canada. The campaign was created to give guests an opportunity to give back this holiday season and help to continue making a difference in their communities. This year, we are so very excited to announce that Archway Society for Domestic Peace has been selected by the five local Vernon Tim Hortons as a recipient of this fundraiser. Guests can visit a local Vernon Tim Hortons starting November 13 and purchase a Holiday Smile Cookie for $1.50, and help give back to our community this holiday season.
50% of your purchase of Holiday Smile Cookies goes to Archway Society For Domestic Peace to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the North Okanagan And 50% goes to Tim Horton’s Foundation Summer Camps.
The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie has a base of white chocolate sugar cookie, infused with red and green sprinkles, all while being adorned with white icing to form the iconic Smile Cookie smile.
Cookies are also available by pre-order with a minimum order of 12 cookies at 3 Vernon locations; 5205 25 Ave.(Okanagan Landing), 2501 58 Ave (Walmart), and 3510 27 St (next to Co-Op Gas). Click here to download your Holiday Smile Cookie Pre-Order Form and drop off or email to one of the three locations listed on the form. Bulk orders require a minimum of 24 hours notice, before the cookies can be picked up and payment is due upon pick up.
We hope you’ll share this sweet offer with friends and family and share the goodness at work too! If you have any questions, contact Monica at engagement@archwaysociety.ca
Gen Acton Chair, Board of Education , School District 22 Vernon 1401 15th Street Vernon, BC V1T 8S8
Attention: Chair Acton and Trustees
Archway Society For Domestic Peace supports sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education within School District 22. As an organization supporting victims of gender-based violence, we applaud your commitment to cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for all our students to feel valued, heard, and seen.
Gender-based violence exists because of the inequities that exist in our society which foster discrimination, disenfranchisement and marginalization. Education is an essential tool as we work toward a just and equal society for everyone. SOGI education, gender-affirming practices and the fostering of a safe and protective environment for youth in our schools is a good first step as we work together to foster a sense of belonging for everyone in our communities.
Archway Society for Domestic Peace appreciates the strong stand School District 22 has taken towards inclusion, diversity, and human rights. We understand that a safe and inclusive community depends on the active participation of everyone.
Sincerely,
Micki Materi – Co-Executive Director of Programs Sherry Demetrick – Co-Executive Director of Administration
This information was shared with local media. Upon hearing the decision of Justice Alison Beames of a sentence of four years for the manslaughter of Heather Barker, Archway Society for Domestic Peace offers the following message and information. Archway is more than willing to provide our thoughts on the sentence and how this case has unfolded. Please feel free to contact us for comments and more information. In addition, we encourage you to include our contact information in any stories that you publish about gender-based violence.
Key messages: • Justice in these cases is very challenging. Heather is dead. Dead at the hands of her partner, someone who was supposed to love her, support her and respect her. Once again, our thoughts and sympathy go out to her children, family, and friends. • Everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, many Canadians across the country continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV) and is a violation of human rights.* • If you look closely, you will see the roots of GBV all around you, in media messages that objectify women, in the jokes that demean LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) people and in the rigid gender norms imposed on young children.* • 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, and encourage anyone who wants information about their options, support or immediate help should reach out to us.
More Information: Sherry Demetrick, Co-Ed at Archway Society, “What would be an appropriate sentence for Mr. Wiebe? How much time in jail would be long enough? What does true justice look like? 4 years for taking another’s life does not seem adequate. We would like to draw a comparison to the 2021 Kelowna case of Billie-Jo Bennett who is currently serving a 14 year sentence in prison for the manslaughter death of her male partner. Obviously, there are differences between these cases but the commonality is that these are both manslaughter convictions but have significant variances in sentencing.”
Sherry Demetrick, Co-Ed at Archway Society, “Ultimately Heather is gone. We can honour her life and do what we can to support her family but as a community we need to recognize the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the tragic outcomes that can result. It is our responsibility to be educated, know what kind of resources are available and if you think someone is being abused or in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship then speak to them. Let them know you are there for them and that they have options. Options that exist if they choose to leave but also if they choose to stay.”
Micki Materi, Co-Ed at Archway Society, “One of the many things I have learned over the years is that we have a legal system, not a justice system. A system that focusses on legal procedures, legal precedents, legal principles, etc. Crown represents the people, not the victims. The victims are witnesses in criminal matters. So, how is justice really served?
We certainly don’t see justice in this case. What is justice to a family that lost their mother in such a horrific, needless way? Heather isn’t here to present her voice with the circumstances surrounding her death. And yes, the loss of Heather isn’t just to her family and her community, the potential for humanity is lost whenever a woman is murdered.”
Sherry Demetrick, Co-Ed at Archway Society, “At Archway we have true wrap around support for those experiencing domestic violence. This includes safe shelter for those women choosing to leave their partners, support to find permanent housing, and help navigating the justice system. Equally importantly we also have a wide breadth of services if they choose to stay in their relationship. Safety planning, counselling, and support for those women too. We have staff who are non-judgmental, professional, confidential, and who know how difficult these situations are. They have devoted their careers to helping women, children, youth, and families through these situations and are supportive and encouraging. So please reach out to us if you feel like you need help or support. We do not want to see another woman die at the hands of her partner in our community.”
Our Board of Directors cordially invites you to attend our Annual General Meeting on:
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 Okanagan Regional Library, main floor meeting room 2800 – 30 Avenue, Vernon
Please join us as we reflect on this past year’s successes and challenges. A reception with appetizers and beverages will commence at 5:00 pm followed by the business meeting at 5:30 pm.
We are pleased to welcome guest speaker, Superintendent Shawna Baher of the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Detachment. Please see attached invitation for all of the details.
Kindly RSVP to adminassist@archwaysociety.ca by Monday, June 19, 2023. Once you have confirmed your attendance, we will send you the AGM agenda and booklet via email.
