18th EDITION
Second Stage Celebrates 10th Anniversary
In September 2004, St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing (STESSH) celebrated ten years of service to abused women. Since the organization opened its doors in 1994, 229 women have participated in the program. Through the generosity of The Community Fund of Elgin-St. Thomas, STESSH was able to compile important information through a survey administered to women who have resided in the program over the past ten years. The aim of the survey was to determine what works well in the program, to highlight what needs to change, and to determine the direction to be taken over the next ten years.
I found the time spent at STESSH gave me time to think, reassess, and de-stress. I became the person I should have been all my life. Thank you.
I wouldn’t be where I am today. My life and family has changed so much since my time at Second Stage!
The environment was great! I felt safe here and feel like I made a good connection.
Overall, the client survey results show that the majority of women stated that they would not change any aspects of the counselling services at STESSH. According to the women surveyed, 90% of the children who had resided with their mothers at the time of her stay have been less impacted by abuse since their involvement with the program. Children still being impacted by abuse, (10%), are still involved with the woman’s ex-partner by court order. The majority of women, (68%), have not been involved in any abusive relationships since leaving; however, 32% of the women shared that they have. Of that 32%, 72% of those women are no longer involved in the relationship and 89% felt that their stay at STESSH impacted their decision to leave.
CONCLUSIONS
The women who completed the survey were able to point to some areas of the program that could change to better meet the needs of the residents. Over the next year we will be examining our group counselling package to ensure some of the suggested elements are included. Every effort will be made to enhance the current package with more visual aids. We will have a renewed focus on assisting the women to gain and maintain a high level of control in their lives. The Life Skills group component, in particular, will be revamped to be offered on a more frequent basis and this will also focus on providing information regarding training and employment opportunities. We will also be reviewing the children’s program to ensure all age groups are being offered optimum support.
In general, we are very excited with the results of the survey. The high level of overall satisfaction with the program points to the fact that we have been on the right track. In determining the direction for growth and development of the program over the next ten years, we cannot lose sight of those elements of the program that have proven successful in assisting the women to make positive changes in their lives.
Many women find that emotional abuse is difficult to identify because you cannot see it, like bruises or broken bones. The following questions taken from the Education Wife Assault web-site at www.womanabuseprevention.com will help to identify if someone you know is being emotionally abused.
Do you feel that something is wrong with your relationship, but you don’t know how to describe it?
Do you feel that your partner controls your life?
Do you feel that your partner does not value your thoughts or feelings?
Does your partner get angry and jealous if you talk to someone else?
Do you feel that you cannot do anything right in your partner’s eyes?
Do you get mixed messages, such as the reason you are abused is because he loves you?
Are you told that no one else would want you, or that you are lucky your partner takes care of you?
Do you have to account for every moment of your time?
If you wish to spend money, does your partner make you account for every penny, or say you don’t deserve anything?
Does your partner blame you for everything that goes wrong?
Safe Environment Promotes Learning Jennifer, aged two, arrived at
She was made to stand for long periods of time facing the corner of the room.
Second Stage with her mother and infant brother following a six-week stay in the shelter. Her mother reported that Jennifer’s father had often punished her severely for doing the normal things an active two year old will do. She was made to stand for long periods of time facing the corner of the room. She was constantly yelled at for not doing as her father insisted. She also witnessed the violent behaviour of her father toward her mother.
Jennifer was very aggressive with her peers, non-compliant with adults and was quite destructive when she entered the program. Jennifer attended the pre-school groups offered at Second Stage on a daily basis. This offered her an opportunity to play and socialize with other children in a safe and supportive atmosphere. In the beginning, Jennifer played independently moving from one activity to another. Over time, she was able to learn valuable social skills as staff modeled appropriate behaviours.
Staff and Jennifer’s mom noted changes in Jennifer, after only one month in the pre-school program at Second Stage. Jennnifer began to interact with the other children and to focus for longer periods of time while she sat and listened to stories or joined in on sing-a-longs. Now, after being in group for six months, Jennifer is presenting as a happy and energetic child who has learned her alphabet and can count (with help!) to 20. She is much more relaxed and able to take direction from adults. Her mom is thrilled with her progress!
| Funding Partners Funding partners are organizations, groups, or businesses who through their generous support of Second Stage enable us to continue to provide services to abused women and their children. In this edition we wish to recognize:  Amtelecom has provided us with internet service for many years at a reduced cost. Our web-site is located at www.secondstagehousing.net. Women wishing information on our services or wanting to contact us may do so through the internet. The site also keeps volunteers, donors and other service providers updated on what is happening at Second Stage. Our agency has become more global (one of our fundraising posters was designed by a virtual volunteer in the U.K.) and the ease of information flow saves time. Thank you Amtelecom for your contribution!  2004-2005Board of Directors Beverly Wright – - – - – President 101 people; 85 Adults and 16 Youth volunteered their time during our last fiscal year! |
FUNDRAISING AT SECONDSTAGE Call Chris at 637-2288 to volunteer for and/or to participate in any of the following: 4th Women’s Night Out Dinner, Murder Mystery and Fun for Women of all Ages St. Anne’s Centre Friday, February 4 Canada Day Festival Greeting Pinafore Park Friday, July 1 Volunteers Needed 3rd Annual Golf Tournament St. Thomas Golf & Country Club Thursday, July 14 First Come First Served – A Great Gift! Daisy of Hope Campaign Friday, May 27 & Saturday, May 28 Partnership with VAWSEC Volunteers Needed Bingo Bingo Country 2 each month Volunteers Needed Nevada Tickets on-going Simpson’s Convenience Try your luck and support our programs |
The number of hours spent counselling women and children have increased over our 10 years of operation. In total, we have provided in excess of 11,000 hours of counselling to women and children since 1994. The yearly total has grown from 600 hours in 1994-1995 to 1200 hours in 2003-2004. That number does not include parenting support and recreation groups. The cost of support, counselling and advocacy for one woman during her stay at Second Stage is $1650!
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