On Saturday March 4, the Women’s Committee participated in the Brunch Bid & Bowl event in support of Women’s Place of South Niagara. The event consisted of silent and live auctions, speakers and brunch at Club Italia and was followed up with bowling at Cataract Bowl in the afternoon. The committee was the top fundraising team raising over $3000 towards the overall goal of $55 000. This money will be used to support those in our communities who experience intimate partner and domestic violence, as well as to educate and draw awareness to the issue in hopes of stopping this type of abuse all together. Thank you to everyone who supported this important initiative by donating!

During the event, the organization revealed a new name and logo; Women’s Place of South Niagara will now be known as Birchway Niagara. This change represents the growing understanding that, while women and children experience intimate partner violence at a higher rate, abuse is an issue that negatively impacts everyone, including men. It is also a problem that must be solved by everyone. Birchway Niagara will continue to provide the critical protection and help for women and children that our community advocated for decades ago. Now the organization will do more to address the root causes of abuse and light the way to a safer community for everyone.  Learn more about Birchway Niagara at www.birchway.ca

Stay up to date on Women’s Committee happenings by joining the Unifor Local 199 Women’s Committee Facebook Group! Or reach out to any member of the committee for more details.

In solidarity,

Jessica McCourt
On behalf of Unifor Local 199 Women’s Committee
Unifor Local 199