19th EDITION
Spotlight on Our Staff
Mickie Keefer 
joined the staff of St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing in April of 1994. Mickie had previously worked at Women’s Place, (now Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County) for approximately six years. She brought with her to Second Stage Housing a strong ability to assess the needs of an abused woman and to offer support according to those identified needs. As the program was in its infancy stage, this was a prime opportunity for Mickie, working in conjunction with the Executive Director, Ruth Hyatt, to tailor the development of a program that would be flexible and comprehensive in meeting the needs of the women transitioning from the abuse to living independently in the community.
From April 1994 to December 2004 Mickie held the position of Women’s Counsellor. She co-lead groups designed to address many issues facing women leaving abusive relationships including safety planning, understanding abuse, developing coping strategies, developing self esteem, developing a support network, enhancing life management skills, and accessing community supports. She also met with women on an individual basis. In the first ten years of operation, 229 women received individual counselling, referrals, and advocacy through the residential program.
In November 2004, the Ministry of Community and Social Services announced an additional $3.5 million in funding for the Transitional Support Program that is designed to provide transition and housing support to abused women and their children in the community. St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing received funding to support this new position. With the aim of building on her success in the residential program, Mickie was offered the new position. She took on her new role as the Transitional Support Worker in January 2005 handing over the reins to Lauri Ladd who has stepped into the Women’s Counsellor Position at Second Stage Housing. Though her office space has shifted somewhat, within the building, Mickie continues to offer support to women leaving abusive relationships in Elgin County.
A United Way Agency
In our last edition of the Second Stage News, questions were printed from the Education Wife Assault web-site at www.womanabuseprevention.com to help identify if someone you know is being emotionally abused.
The following questions, taken from the same site, will help you recognize the affects of emotional abuse.
Are you unable or afraid to make decisions for yourself?
Do you do anything you can to please your partner or not upset him?
Do you make excuses for your partner’s behaviour?
Are you forgetful, confused or unable to concentrate?
Have you noticed changes in your eating, sleeping, alcohol or drug use?
Have you lost interest or energy to do the things you used to?
Do you feel sick, anxious, tired or depressed a lot of the time?
Have you lost contact with your friends, family or neighbours?
Have you lost self-confidence and feel afraid that you could not make it alone?
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