Dear Editor:
After 23 years together, she left and never went back.
The day was February 12, 2002, a day Veronica will never forget. Her life and those of her children would change forever.
Veronica met and married the man of her dreams. Two kids later and a life of verbal and emotional abuse, the line was crossed and she said no more. A phone call to SOWINS (South Okanagan Women In Need Society) and she and her kids were at the Transition House, safe and ready to move on.
She knew the road ahead would be tough. A single mom of two young kids, only seven and 11, no job and no money.
She left the Transition House and bounced from cheap hotel to cheap hotel until she could get together enough money to get a permanent roof over their heads.
Veronica found employment and continued to work hard to provide for her family without any assistance from her now ex-husband.
The journey was not only about finding shelter, food and supporting her children but also the emotional journey through counselling for both herself and her kids.
She enrolled her kids in the PEACE Program, a specialized program working with children who have witnessed or experienced abuse.
“It was important for them to know it was not their fault that mommy and daddy split up,” states Veronica.
The kids spent six months in this program learning new tools and receiving resources to move forward and create positive, healthy relationships for themselves.
Veronica received support and counselling through SOWINS and continues to have a great relationship with the staff team.
Now, Veronica is giving back to the women served by SOWINS today. Share the Spirit of Giving supports many women, youth and children by providing food and gifts to families this holiday season.
“I was in need like this at one point in my life so I know what it feels like. I want to give back where I can and volunteering with SOWINS is my way of helping,” says Veronica.
Veronica will spend most of the next month collecting and sorting gifts and items donated to SOWINS for women and families in need.
You can help women, youth and children in the South Okanagan by sharing your spirit this holiday season.
For example, make a donation, sponsor a family, donate a gift, or build a backpack for a homeless person.
To learn more about SOWINS or Share the Spirit of Giving, please contact Marni Adams, fund development advisor at 250-859-0954 or email at [email protected].
South Okanagan Women in Need Society
