Farewell 2023, Welcome 2024!
CWAVS has a new Executive Director!
We are thrilled to announce Brooklyn Mann as the new Executive Director here at the Cowichan Women Against Violence (CWAV) Society.
Brooklyn has been with CWAVS for three years as the program and HR director and was a member of the Board of Directors, including Board Chair, for four years before that. Before joining CWAVS, she built her career in the financial industry for over 20 years. The last ten years of her banking career were spent in progressive leadership roles where she had the opportunity to develop her own values-based leadership approach.
During her time at CWAVS, Brooklyn has worked tirelessly in her role as Program and HR Director to create a continuously improving culture of care for staff that centers on psychological safety, well-being, and belonging. She has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of both Somenos House and Cedar Branches Women’s Shelter, building a deep and robust relationship with BC Housing that has allowed each program to expand staffing capacity and make essential upgrades to physical spaces while keeping the needs of clients at the heart of all conversations. Her deep roots in the Cowichan Valley and active role in the community have brought countless valuable partners into the agency in the form of donations, large program sponsorships, and diverse programming supports. Her financial acumen has helped bolster the agency’s ability to create a resilient and sustainable financial department. Her passion for people and care for community will continue to serve the agency as we advance our strategic vision.
Please join us in welcoming Brooklyn as Executive Director!
UPCOMING EVENTS
“The Coldest Night of the Year is a walk that raises money for folks in our community who need our help. Some of them hungry, more than a few hurting and regrettably, some who are homeless too. Adults, moms and kids, seniors and youth as well. In Duncan, we'll be fundraising for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Cowichan Valley.”
You’d look great on the CWAV Society Team! Join us on February 24th and/or make a pledge today!
International Women’s Day
CWAVS is excited to announce that we will be hosting an IWD Gala fundraiser on March 8th. We are still ironing out the details but mark your calendars now! There will be dancing, food, cocktails, a live auction, photo booth, and more!
Come support the work we do here at CWAVS while having a fun time celebrating the amazing women in our lives, personally, in community, and beyond!
Cedar Branches Women’s Shelter is Finally Open!
To date, 11 women are living at Cedar Branches (formerly known as Charlotte’s Place) and the program continues to grow. The in-house Wellness Centre is now open, welcoming not only clients, but any unhoused or precariously housed women in need of wellness services. To read more about this program’s journey in recent years, check out the Discourse’s articles here and here.
You can also check out our most recent blog post to learn more about the CBWS directly from program supervisor Adria in an interview!
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Giving Tuesday 2023
This year’s Giving Tuesday was incredible! Even while financial uncertainty is high, our community rose to the occasion and raised over $8000, which was matched by our amazing community partners. The focus of this year’s campaign was to bolster our PEACE program and Raven’s Nest Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. We are thrilled to announce that due to community support, Raven’s Nest has added another advocate to their team which will greatly increase our ability to help children in need.
Individual Thanks to Jeff Hunter, Meredith Prescott, Elizabeth Biberger, Michelle Nelford and Blair Herbert from Biberger & Associates Realty as well as Doyle and Jaclyn Childs, who are all part of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. We would also like to thank our other 2023 Giving Tuesday partner, the Garden House Foundation.