21st EDITION
If you are a person who donated your new and used belongings, money, or time to St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing, you may already be familiar with the term, “Pay It Forward”. Taken from the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde and made popular by the Warner Bros. movie starring Haley Joel Osment, the theory is fictitious but ever present in the grass roots of social services. To “Pay It Forward” means to do a service or good deed for someone who instead of paying it back, pays it forward, and does a good turn for someone else.
By paying it forward,
you are helping women move forward in life.
One of the beautiful advantages of working in the field of violence against women is the unexpected acts of kindness that we witness on a frequent basis. Even after participating in this work for a number of years, it is incredible how often we can be touched by the thoughtfulness of the people in our community. It punctuates this challenging work with hope and a reminder that what we do is important and supported. I have been lucky to experience several of these instances and thought that you, a member of our supportive community, deserved some insight into the impact that you have on the women and children who live at Second Stage.
Some of us revel in the thrill of the hunt at thrift stores when we get a good deal – our donation cupboard (looked after by volunteers by the way) is often the source of necessity – a set of coffee cups, a pair of jeans that actually fit, a warm coat. A grocery store voucher buys more milk (and a bag of favourite cookies) for a rapidly growing three year old. A young girl donated her well looked after wardrobe of shoes on the exact day that a girl her size needed a new pair. On a dark dreary November day, a woman comes into the office wrapped tightly in her new quilt from “Project Linus” and tells me that the blanket is “the hug she needed” that day. Christmas gifts are overwhelming to the mother who believed she would have no way of providing what her children would need, let alone like. The Easter Bunny brought chocolate. A scrap booker donated supplies to an expectant mother who wanted to make her baby a beautiful keepsake. That same donor reached out to her friends through the Internet and more supplies flowed. While traveling on an airplane a total stranger saw the scrap booker’s note on a blog and donated the little sweater she was knitting. All random acts of kindness, all appreciated.
By paying it forward, you are helping women move forward in life, and in return they become able to give back to themselves, their children, and our community – sometimes returning to school, finding meaningful employment, feeling confident and having healthy relationships. Never doubt the good your deeds do.
We live in a time when “many people, though aware of the need for social change, are unsure of where and how to begin. While discussion and planning are positive steps toward belief in social change, only the manifestation of plans into action proves to the imagination that change is possible, and that will and motivation can affect social growth”. (Excerpt taken from the Pay It Forward Foundation)
Thank you for acting and believing.
Laurie Ladd
Note: After one and a half years as the Women’s Counsellor at Second Stage Housing, Lauri Ladd has resigned her position. While we are sad that she will be moving on, we know she will continue to be a strong advocate for women in our community, Ruth Hyatt
| A Good Relationship……….. ……is one where intimacy develops slowly from a friendship to a commitment. You participate with a partner who is capable of a fulfilling intimate relationship. He/she is capable of trusting and being trusted…….is one that is based on a commitment. You feel secure about the future of the relationship. There is no confusion or fear of abandonment. You do not have to cling to this person in your life for fear that he/she will want to pull away. You feel relaxed and are not anxious about losing the relationship…….is a partnership based on friendship and respect. Your partner is your good friend, who encourages you to become your best. No one acts superior to the other. No one has to beg or plead.
……is one where there is a true intimacy of revealing and sharing yourself with your partner as he/she reveals and shares himself/herself also. There is a trust and concern about each other’s welfare and happiness. You can openly talk about your needs. You are listened to. |
……is one where two individuals can resolve conflict in a peaceful and calm manner. Feelings can be openly expressed. ……is one where both individuals see themselves as partners. There is good communication; there are feelings of closeness and joy. Both partners believe that they can gain far more by remembering to keep agreements. There is no need to dominate and compete with each other…….is one where two people maintain an enthusiasm about the other’s hobbies, work, and friends. You can focus on your daily lives and the needs of your child(ren)…….is one where each partner has a circle of friends and interests outside the relationship. You are not isolated.
Taken from… A Group Handbook for Abused Women ; Lieghbrights 1992 |
| “Violence is far less likely between equals…therefore, equality and respect of all people is a crucial concept…women have not yet achieved equality, and this must be redressed.” |
Witness at the Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women, 1993
Volunteer Corner
Joan Perry and Mary Miller
Joan and Mary have been our Donations Organizers since March 2005. Every week they sort, organize and display various clothing and household items donated by our community for the residents of Second Stage Housing and recycle items to another donation centre in our community. Thank you Joan and Mary!
Volunteer Opportunities
Bingo Worker – Bingo Country, St. Thomas. As of June 1, 2006 this will be a smoke-free facility.
Children’s Recreation Worker – Assisting with games, stories, crafts, and snacks during children’s group.
Housekeeping, Children’s Program – Helping to keep our playroom and toys clean and safe.
Special Events Worker – Helping to plan, organize and/or implement various fundraising events.
Ninety volunteers provided 615 hours of service this past year!
Newsletter – Helping to prepare large mail outs.
Donations Organizer – As above.
Maintenance – Helping with painting apartments.
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Help Second Stage in our efforts to end woman abused in Elgin County. 2006 Events 4th Annual Golf Tournament
Join Our 100 Club! |
5th Annual Women’s Dinner a Great Success
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