Dear Saanich,
At The Cridge Centre for the Family, they say that “Love is the Bottom Line”. Last summer I witnessed that attitude in action with the Brain Injury program and staff. This week, I saw that same compassion and commitment on a tour of the Cridge Transition House for Women.
Abusive relationships often create a dynamic that so utterly disempowers the abused that they cannot see any way out. Many abused women face a fear of repercussions from the abuser, a fear of losing rights or access to children, or a fear of entering (or re-entering) the workforce. These fears, combined with the other dynamics of big life changes can be debilitating. Transition Houses offer connections to community services, on-site counselling and - most importantly - safety for women (and their children) taking that huge step towards a better life.
Abusive relationships often create a dynamic that so utterly disempowers the abused that they cannot see any way out. Many abused women face a fear of repercussions from the abuser, a fear of losing rights or access to children, or a fear of entering (or re-entering) the workforce. These fears, combined with the other dynamics of big life changes can be debilitating. Transition Houses offer connections to community services, on-site counselling and - most importantly - safety for women (and their children) taking that huge step towards a better life.
![]() |
Left to Right: Shannon Whissell (Fund Development), Lana, Erika (Lana's staff), Candace Stretch (Assist. Mgr) and Marlene Goley (Manager Women's Services) |
While the transition house movement has come a long way in lowering barriers to services for abused women and children, the goal of eliminating domestic violence has a long way yet to go.
In the meantime, we are privileged to have such dedicated people, willing to provide a safe place and to advocate for improved services towards healthier lives.
To access Cridge Transition House services or information, call 250-479-3963 any time, day or night. To learn more about, or to volunteer with, Cridge Transition House and other Cridge Centre services go to their website: www.cridge.org. Online donations can be made any time via The Cridge Centre's page at www.CanadaHelps.org. If you prefer, during business hours, call Shannon at (250) 995-6419 to arrange a donation, or email swhissell@cridge.org.
All the best.
Lana