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Opinion

Dedicating time to save others from abuse

Bravestone Centre helps women and children affected by domestic violence

By: Aaron Epp
Posted: 02/20/2018 3:00 AM | Comments:

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS</p><p>Aruna Hall (R) and Kate Schellenberg, volunteer at Bravestone Centre, a non-profit that supports women and children affected by domestic violence.</p>

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Aruna Hall (R) and Kate Schellenberg, volunteer at Bravestone Centre, a non-profit that supports women and children affected by domestic violence.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/2/2018 (212 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fundraising can be challenging, but when the money is going to a worthy cause, the effort is worth it.

That’s what Aruna Hall has found. Hall sits on the board of directors for the Bravestone Centre and chairs its special events committee.

The Bravestone Centre is a charitable non-profit organization that provides full-time counselling and support programs to women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

“Fundraising is very rewarding because you know the money you’re working so hard to raise goes toward running the programs,” Hall says.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/2/2018 (212 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fundraising can be challenging, but when the money is going to a worthy cause, the effort is worth it.

That’s what Aruna Hall has found. Hall sits on the board of directors for the Bravestone Centre and chairs its special events committee.

The Bravestone Centre is a charitable non-profit organization that provides full-time counselling and support programs to women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

"Fundraising is very rewarding because you know the money you’re working so hard to raise goes toward running the programs," Hall says.

Originally from Chennai, a city in southern India, Hall immigrated to Canada in 1968. She now works as a travel agent, and joined Bravestone’s board of directors six years ago.

Hall and her colleagues on the special events committee typically organize three fundraisers a year, including a comedy night at Rumor’s and a quiz night at a church that features trivia, mini-games between rounds, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw.

Kate Schellenberg, who sits with Hall on Bravestone’s board of directors, fondly recalls the organization’s first quiz night in 2015.

Because they had never organized that type of fundraiser, no one was sure how it would turn out. They ended up selling out the venue.

"Everyone had a great time and it was just wonderful chaos for five hours," Schellenberg says. "When I got home, my feet were sore, my legs were sore and I thought, ‘Wow, that was so much fun.’"

Previously called WISH Inc. (Women in Second Stage Housing), Bravestone has existed for more than 28 years. The centre has 14 suites for clients of Bravestone’s 12-month program.

Board members don’t interact with clients, but get to hear about what’s going on at Bravestone when Lori Rudniski, the centre’s executive director, makes her report at the monthly board meetings.

"One of the reasons I like volunteering the most is hearing those reports from Lori," Schellenberg says. "Even though we’re not actively in it, what we’re doing is making a difference for the clients at Bravestone. It is a pretty necessary need in our city."

Hall agrees.

"I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that I’m helping somebody else," she says. "I think it’s important for everybody to give back to the community."

Bravestone Centre is holding its fourth annual quiz night on March 10, at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Centre (400 Marion St.). There are further details at bravestonecentre.ca/events.

Hall is looking for volunteers to help at the event, as well as to help with other upcoming fundraisers. The amount of time and effort required varies depending on the event.

Anyone interested can contact Hall via email at arunahall@shaw.ca for more information.

"There are so many great causes these days and so many people in need, and Manitobans are very generous," Hall says. "We could use a lot of volunteers for our quiz night, and if they want to stay on as committee members afterward, we will most definitely welcome them."

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.

Volunteer opportunities

 

Call for volunteers: film lovers! Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages is happening March 4-11. Looking for cinema staff (usher, door person, box office, youth jury, driver, translator) for a span of eight days, more than 40 films and 150 hours of workshops. You’ll also get the chance to mingle with world-class filmmakers! Contact volunteer@freezeframeonline.org or call 204-949-9355.

A&O: Support Services’ Connect Program provides social companionship to older adults living in the Winnipeg community. Currently they are looking for a female Ojibwe speaker. If you can commit a minimum of one hour a week in the morning or afternoon, you can make a difference for an older adult living in our community. For more information, contact Pamela Roth at proth@aosupportservices.ca or call 204-956-6440.

Equal Opportunities West Inc. in Winnipeg has operated a day program for adults with disabilities since 1979. EOW is looking for board members, a treasurer and a recording secretary. Submit resumés to board@equalopportunitieswest.com by March 1.

The Manitoba Lung Association is looking for event-day volunteers for their Swim for Change and Stair Climb for Clean Air events. For more information, please email corey.weir@mb.lung.ca or call Corey at 204-774-5501, ext. 231

The Manitoba Museum is currently looking for a human resources administrative assistant. This position would provide support for staff and volunteer recruitment through selection process activities, benefits administration, filing and tracking employee vacation/compensatory time/sick leave accruals and entitlements. To apply, please visit manitobamuseum.ca.

Open Circle is a non-profit program that facilitates the development of healthy friendships between community volunteers and incarcerated men and women who have a desire to be part of a welcoming and supportive community. Open Circle is looking for individuals who can visit inmates twice monthly. This volunteer position is great for those looking to have a better understanding of the criminal justice system and want to help. Training is provided. For more information, please email Hank at hdixon.opencircle@initiativesjc.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba is looking for committed evening and weekend volunteers at Ronald McDonald House (566 Bannatyne Ave.). Their House Helpers support families in their home away from home by assisting with laundry and light cleaning, meal programs and other various operational needs. Please apply online at rmhcmanitoba.org or contact Kasia at 204-787-4626 or kasia@rmhmanitoba.org to learn more.

St. Amant is currently recruiting volunteers to help individuals supported by St. Amant to participate in various recreational activities such as yoga, rock climbing, Manitoba Children’s Museum visits, karaoke and swimming lessons. For more information, please email volunteer@stamant.ca or visit stamant.ca/volunteering.

The St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre is recruiting board members for the 2018-2020 term. The centre is an independently operated, charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to help older community members improve their lives. The board of directors meets six times annually. Please submit your letter of interest with resumé by March 20 to: Chair, Board Development Committee, St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre, 3-203 Duffield Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 0H6; or email info@stjamescentre.com.

St. Matthews Non-Profit Housing Inc. is currently looking for a new board member! Some experience on a board of directors is beneficial, but not necessary. Individuals who have skills in marketing, fundraising or website management are encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, please contact Keith Anderson at anderson.kjp@gmail.com.

Welcome Place is looking for volunteers to help provide friendship in the form of social and emotional support for refugees during the time they are adapting to life in Canada. Welcome Place provides training sessions and an orientation to explain the roles and responsibilities. For more information or to sign, up please contact Maysoun at maysound@miic.ca or call 204-977-1000, ext. 253.

Help make a difference as a board member at West Central Community Program! The West Central Community Program is a non-profit agency that provides after-school programming in the West Central area of Winnipeg. They operate at three area schools: Greenway, Wellington and John M. King School. If you are interested please contact Kerris at kchinerywccp@shaw.ca or call 204-772-9315.

West Central Women’s Resource Centre is currently looking for drop-in support at its centre. This position is a great way for those interested in helping out and/or gaining experience in the non-profit sector. For more information or to apply, please email mentorship@wcwrc.ca.

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