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Our
History
OUR LADY OF
GOOD COUNSEL SOCIETY
Domestic Abuse Services THE
BEGINNING:
In 1995, after learning that spousal abuse was a significant problem
in our society, five women in Vancouver decided to meet every month
over a cup of coffee to discuss this concern. They wanted to form a
Christian society to assist victims and their children. These women from varying walks of life – a librarian, a counselor, a
homemaker, a retired nurse and a banker - became the founding members
of Our Lady of Good Counsel Society. Under the auspices of the
Catholic Women’s League in Vancouver, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Society became a reality. The first chairperson was the
librarian, who had done a lot of the groundwork, researching
statistics and acquiring resource books from transition societies,
and all the official paperwork that was needed. Some years later it
came to light that she was a victim of domestic abuse and had to
leave the country to find safety. The next chairperson was very
knowledgeable, ran a group home for special needs children and knew
a great deal about violence and abuse.
Looking back it is clear the Society was indeed naïve, having
no experience of transition houses. Fr. Scott,
Spiritual Advisor, kept reminding us to take baby steps, to do one
little thing at a time and to be very patient. He guided us wisely
and his constant theme was safety – safety for the victims and their
children and safety for the volunteers. The experience of his other
life as a policeman served us well.
TRAINING:
In 1996,Domestic Abuse Services began providing in-service training for board members, courses
for volunteers
and established of a ten week volunteer training course developed
by professional counselors and social workers. All volunteers must take
this training session before they can volunteer. The training
sessions, held twice a year, ensure that volunteer and Society Board
members are equipped with the necessary skills to respond to and assist
those who are experiencing domestic abuse. Trained volunteers
provide direct service by means of the telephone help line,
individual support, safe housing and access to spiritual,
legal, financial and psychological resources. To be successful, our
people had to know the dangers and learn the skills to survive in
this element.
Others joined the steering committee as an expansion was made in
1996 to include telephone operators, educators, public relations,
regional resource workers, safe home operators and a team of priests
who would be sympathetic to counseling the victims.
Fundraising continues in earnest. In 1998 and 1999
Golf Tournaments were organized and were very successful. In 2000 and
2001 we had a concentrated fundraising drive using at internet
program called MetaSoft. This required writing letters to all people
and firms that had contributed to charities who were involved in
domestic abuse. Although the results were not as we would have
liked, we did make ourselves known. “The Pathway to Hope” a
'buy a brick'
fundraiser is continuing. A single brick
costs $25, a family or group brick is $100. The bricks
have given as presents, in memoriam or for all kinds of
occasions. Good Counsel House is still a dream but slowly goals
are being accomplished. We have made great strides in a very
short time, all done by volunteers.
At this
2004 Annual General Meeting a motion was made and passed to change the
name of the Society to Domestic Abuse Services.
There is a very active Education Committee which
provides volunteers to speak on domestic violence at local schools,
in parishes and at the Marriage Preparation Courses.
The Society is not yet financially solvent
enough to purchase a home, however, safe houses have been
established throughout the lower mainland and so far 15 abuse
victims, some of them with children have been assisted.
Communications are being done by newsletters, ads in
local papers and in parish bulletins. A Bursary is now being offered
for those who have suffered abuse and wish to improve their lives.
In September an office was established within
St. Patrick's Parish on Main Street in Vancouver. An office
assistant has been hired to run the office as well as help with the
volunteers.
A web site is now running:
www.domesticabuseservices.ca.
Donations are being banked in the hope of purchasing a transition
house very soon.
Much has been accomplished during the past years and more exciting
years ahead are planned.
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