Thirty years of fresh starts

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This article was published 25/03/2023 (1104 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 30th-anniversary Gala Dinner will be held in May to mark three decades of service to women and children affected by domestic violence.

For 30 years Chez Rachel (formerly known as L’Entre-Temps des Franco-Manitobaines Inc.), has been providing second-stage housing to women fleeing violent partners. Unique in western Canada and Manitoba as the only shelter to provide bilingual services and to serve the French-speaking community, Chez Rachel serves clients from diverse cultures and multilingual backgrounds.

Sonia Grmela began working with Chez Rachel a decade ago as a counsellor and now serves as both social worker and executive director.

“I think the reason I’m still here is because I feel that an organization like Chez Rachel can really have a big impact in people’s lives. What I find fantastic is being in touch with people, after one, two, three years and being able to feel that our agency has helped them to a point where they are much more empowered, where they have independence. They are able to navigate, really make good decisions for themselves and their families,” said Grmela, adding that safe housing is offered to mothers and their children for up to 12 months.

A former client found refuge at Chez Rachel after experiencing significant trauma before arriving in Canada.

“I had been in an unhappy, unhealthy marriage for a long time, and I was always angry and stressed. I was concerned for my own safety and for the well-being of my children,” she said.

Though there was no available accommodation for her at that time, she built connections with staff and residents while she waited. After a few months, a suite opened up and she moved in to begin a new life.

“I was finally free from the stress of my marriage and free to make my own decisions about my future. Before I came to Chez Rachel, I was feeling desperate and hopeless. They helped me go back to school to improve my English, helped my children get back into school, and helped me develop practical skills. When I came to Canada, I didn’t know how the transit system worked or how to properly use an ATM. Now, with the help of the counsellors, I feel confident doing these things on my own. The group sessions have helped me to realize I’m not alone in my struggles and in my experiences.

“I notice a change in my children as well. Before, they had difficulty expressing themselves and would often be frustrated and aggressive with their emotions. Now, with the help of good counselling, they are at peace and know how to manage their stress. I feel more equipped with healthy coping skills and stress management techniques and I look forward to taking on life’s challenges one day at a time.”

As she moves on from the trauma of her past, the former resident has hope for stability and success in the future, and hopes for the same for other women.

“We really build relationships with the people we work with,” said Grmela. “Every domestic violence situation is unique. Every story is unique: the needs that women have, how they want to build their lives… having this long-term relationship allows us to become part of their team, to accompany them on this healing journey that they are on.”

Chez Rachel provides safe housing, counselling, safety management, and children’s programming. The shelter houses five two-bedroom apartments and can accommodate up to five families. Women can call the centre for resources, advocacy and assistance navigating various systems.

“Even if they don’t want to necessarily leave their partner, they call us for information, and for counselling. We do offer that to people who are not necessarily residents. We offer followup; we stay in touch. In a process of divorce, child custody, these things are very long and complicated. When there’s family violence it can be very distressing, fearing for the safety of their kids.”

Chez Rachel assists clients from the French-speaking community as well as the broader community including newcomers from around the world.

“They help each other out, they exchange different information about their cultures,” added Grmela. “They have people that support and understand what they’ve been through.

“With family and gender-based violence, there’s so many obstacles. Some women feel that financially they’re not going to be able to be on their own. They often get a lot of misleading information from their partners that really frightens them: they might be deported, lose their children. There’s also the shame attached to being in this kind of situation. It’s a very complex situation for all women who escape.”

With a staff of two full-time and two part-time administrative assistants, Chez Rachel is grateful for its active board, volunteers and community support. The demanding work requires more stable funding and support to ensure daily operations and clients’ needs are looked after.

Funding from the provincial government and United Way isn’t enough, leaving staff overworked and tired.

“We really ask the community for donations. Unfortunately our services are needed more than ever. We really need a very reliable regular source of funding. It is exhausting for a small organization like ours with so few staff.”

The 30th anniversary Gala Dinner will be held on May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Fort Gibraltar (866 St. Joseph St.). The evening will include outdoor activities, an auction, music and food.

For tickets, or to offer financial support, visit chezrachel.ca.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca