The Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton (SASCSL) was started in 1982 by a group of individuals concerned about the lack of comprehensive services for sexual assault victims. They began a grassroots initiative to support and assist survivors of sexual violence and rape. Michelle Batty, SASCSL's Executive Director, has been with the organization for over twenty-five years. "We started with a 24-hour crisis line staffed entirely by volunteers. Thirty-five years later, the 24-hour crisis line continues to be a core service, alongside individual and group counselling, advocacy, accompaniment and public education."
Initially SASCSL was funded by bake sales, 50/50 draws and donations, including their chocolate bar sales. In 1990, the Ministry of the Solicitor General began to provide annual funding to cover operating expenses and more enhanced services. Today, SASCSL receives about 80% of its funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General and 20% from fundraising and donations. "What we receive from the government is not sufficient to do the work that needs to be done. Without our generous donors, there are services and programs that we could not provide. For example, we started with two counsellors seeing an average of 25 clients a month. Today, we have two public educators, a human trafficking coordinator and three counsellors providing services to over 100 clients a month."
SASCSL was one of the first sexual assault centres in Ontario and has been a leader in identifying gaps in service for victims of sexual assault. "Early on, we identified the need for services for male survivors of sexual violence and for victims of human trafficking. At the time, we did this with no funding. Now the government provides specific funding for these programs to sexual assault centres throughout the province." SASCSL has been honoured to be named to the Mayor's honour list in 2006 and to receive the Attorney General's Victim Services Award of Distinction in 2011.
SASCSL is involved in many community initiatives to bring awareness and education on the topic of sexual violence, while also offering opportunities for healing for all survivors. "This is our 11th year hosting the International Women's Day celebration which honours local women, our 25th year organizing Take Back the Night in September, and May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month with many events planned." The Footsteps'Tribute to Courage project brought 63 survivors together to place flagstones with artwork, a message and their footprints on a path in Centennial Park. "We have had survivors of all ages come to the centre after walking the path. One senior had been sexually abused as a child and had never talked to anyone about it, but now wanted to work through things. That is healing and empowerment."
Batty believes that preventing violence against women and children goes beyond public education and awareness campaigns. "We need a cultural shift in beliefs. No one deserves to be abused, no one asks for it, victims are not to blame and perpetrators need to be held accountable for their actions. All of us need to be part of the solutions."
Have you ever really thought about how you are living your life? Are you truly being the best you can be? Are you willing to put in the work required to be better? Those are just a few of the questions Joanne Fearns asks her clients as she steers them toward living their best life. We work togeth
Farming is in Joe Dickenson's blood. Growing up as the son of a dairy cattle farmer just outside of Sarnia, Dickenson decided at a young age he would like to join the family business. Well, sort of. Having grown up milking cows twice a day, Dickenson understood the time commitment a dairy farm would require.
The lights turned on in Centennial Park for the 33rd time on November 25, 2017. The Celebration of Lights started in 1984 with a few decorative houses, explains board member, John Charest. Harvey McMichael was the inspiration for the festival. He always decorated his home. The Lighting Comp
Seedz, a digital marketing app available on the App Store and Google Play Store, provides exclusive offers and promotions from local businesses. Seedz was created and developed by father and daughter team, Steve and Jessika Kierna...
Have you ever dreamed about making a career change? Doing a 180 and going in a completely different direction? Karen Callies did exactly that when she left her job as a sales and marketing rep with the Sarnia Journal and purchased Sarnia's About Face & Body Laser & Wellness Clinic in January.
When Sierra Hart found herself in a bind after an injury in her life long trade she needed to find herself a new career in a hurry. "I was a bartender at the same Irish Pub for 20 years. It was all I knew until that point. I was good at it and I loved it," Sierra explains. "This time around though..."
It would have been perfectly natural to assume that Glen Van Valkenburg would eventually take over running Van Valkenburg Jewellers from his father. That's because his dad took over the business from Glen's grandfather who had taken over from his great grandfather who had it handed to him by Gle
From a young age, Cat Cabajar loved drawing, painting, and creating with anything she could get her hands on. Her first face painting experience happened by chance sixteen years ago. "I was head of public relations for the Artwalk...