Appreciations from our callers and allies

35th Anniversary Appreciations:

National Congress of Black Women Foundation, the Poverty and Human Rights Centre, Aboriginal Women's Action Network, and the University Women's Club of Vancouver, September 2009

British Columbia Teacher's Federation, March 4, 2008

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, March 1, 2008

Rain and Thunder: A Radical Feminist Journal of Discussion and Activism, April 14, 2008

Vancouver Committee Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights

Other appreciations:

From March 8, 2008

I was a teacher-on-call and had been at the same elementary school a few times. I noticed one boy in my class who was often acting up and I wondered why. One day, his mom caught me just before the bell and said “My husband is beating me and I’m scared for me and my son. How do I leave?” I had volunteered at VRRWS, so I knew I could count on the women there to help her. I gave the woman the 24-hour number (which I bet a lot of Vancouver women have memorized) and told her I knew she could trust the women answering the line to help her get safe. I had run to my unsupervised class, and she said she would call right away. The next day I was at a different school, and she and her son were on my mind. I knew VRRWS women would get her safe, but I wished for a way to get in touch with her.

A year passed and eventually I saw the boy again. My heart pounded – did she manage to leave the battering man? I waited after school for the woman to come pick up her son. She was radiant when she saw me, hugged me and said thank you! She’d called VRRWS, and the women on duty got her and her son to another transition house, since their house was too full. She’d long since moved into her own place and was doing great on her own. I was overjoyed that I’d known something practical to offer her! Good work, women!

From D, a former volunteer

October 2 2006

Thank you so much for doing the "speak." The students were really engaged. They always appreciate straight forward talks with no bs. And it was great preparation for their internships, as well as opening their minds to future volunteer work.

... Your organization is a great role model. ... Thanks again, and it was great to meet you.

M.
(from a university professor who asked us to speak on the topic of violence against women)

July 7 2006

Dearest Women of Rape Relief,

One year ago today I walked out of my family home. You offered me a home to live in when I took my first steps on this very long journey to freedom. And for this I am eternally grateful. You supported me through those first horrible days filled with doubt, pain, and fear. I was in a daze. You knew my journey ahead was long. You were patient, calming, and reassuring. You fed me. You counselled me. You answered my millions of questions. You were my rock when my world caved in underneath me.

I know that my journey is not over. I know that there is much pain to come. But my eyes are open now. I clearly see the road ahead and what I need to do to be free. I no longer blame myself for what happened. I have learned to understand abuse for what it is and how it played a major part of my life and marriage.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you gave to me in the first days and over the past year. I would also like to thank you for all the continued work in your organization and for all the other women you have freed and continue to free from domestic abuse.

With Love,

M.
(from a caller)

July 27, 2005

I would like to thank you and your organization for providing us with a speaker at our Understanding Sexual Harrassment and Violence Against Women workshop for our Volunteer Support Worker Trainees. As you know, every year we conduct training workshops for our new group of volunteers. Our training program owes its success to organizations like Vancouver Rape Relief, which generously donate their time and expertise to help our volunteers.

West Coast Domestic Workers' Association

Congratulations on the positive ruling at the BC Supreme Court. As always, the level of committment to women's issues which Rape Relief demonstrates is top notch, and not appreciated enough in our world!

Thank you all for your tireless efforts!

G., T. and E.
(from supporters)

To Rape Relief Staff,

Thank you so much for all your support. Without you giving me the strength I needed, I wouldn't have come through as well as I have.

Thinking of you. Lots of love.

P.
(from a caller)

April 26, 2000

Dear Collective Members,

On behalf of the World March of Women 2000 - Vancouver Organizing Committee, I am writing to offer thanks and appreciation for your contributions to the launch of the March on International Women's Day, March 8, 2000.

Members of the Rape Relief Collective played significant roles in the organizing of March 8th events ...

Thank you for taking the lead in helping to make the event so successful and meaningful. ...

In sisterhood and solidarity,

On behalf of the World March of Women 2000 - Vancouver Organizing Committee.
(from an ally)

Thank you for allowing the four of us to stay somewhere safe. Somewhere we did not have to walk on egg shells. Somewhere we did not have to watch what we said. Somewhere I did not have to wait up and wonder what was going to happen next. Now we can have our own home to call home.

Thank you from K., D., J.
(from a caller)