Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services will be hosting its 16th annual International Women’s Day celebration at the Brantford Golf and County Club on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Nova Vita Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025 is an opportunity to discuss the importance of gender equality and the work being done to put an end to violence and homelessness within the Brantford-Brant community.
Anne Herbison-Ruddell, Nova Vita’s Fund Development and Strategic Initiatives Manager, said that when it comes to gender equality, it’s essential for economies and communities to truly thrive. She added that it’s also one of the major barriers standing in the way of Nova Vita achieving its vision for a world without violence, “where individuals, relationships, families and communities are safe, empowered and healthy.”
“For over 40 years, Nova Vita has been providing trauma-informed emergency shelter, outreach support, and counselling services to individuals and families experiencing abuse, as well as counselling for individuals who have caused harm in their relationships,” said Herbison-Ruddell. “In our 16th year, Nova Vita Celebrates International Women’s Day has evolved to be more than just an evening of celebration and inspiration. It’s become part of a greater movement striving for gender equality and an end to violence and homelessness in our community through inspiring presentations that educate, engage, and connect our programs to the community we serve.”
She said that during the event, presenting sponsors, Vanessa Hammond the Mortgage Broker and Erin McIntyre of Haus and Co. Realtors, will join Nova Vita around the “kitchen table” to help raise awareness about this year’s fundraising initiative.
“Throughout the evening we will share stories about how the kitchen is the heart of every home and a place for families to connect, engage, nourish, and thrive. The Kitchen is also the heart of our shelter, and with funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), we are about to undergo a major kitchen renovation of our now 30-year-old and warn-down kitchen,” said Herbison-Ruddell. “Once the renovation is complete, our new kitchen will once again be a place for women and children to gather, to play, to learn, to nourish, and to heal from the abuse they have experienced. With the renovation comes the need to replace our appliances and to update many of the tools needed for our kitchen to properly serve those who come to stay in our 33 bed emergency shelter. This year, as part of our More Than A Bed fundraiser, we will be calling on our community to help donate to replace our appliances and equipment.”
Herbison-Ruddell said that as far as what to expect from the event, attendees will get a three course meal, the chance to connect with others, and plenty of fundraising games and opportunities.
“Nova Vita Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025 will be an evening to come together to really celebrate the progress we have made in the past year and to set the stage and rally for the year ahead,” she said. “The evening is equal parts raising awareness and raising funds, and will be filled with fundraising games, a silent auction, a delicious three course meal, prizes, and inspiring presentations by a number of empowering females that work in and serve our community.”
Herbison-Ruddell added that with the event being just two weeks away and already 75 per cent sold out, herself and the rest of the team are excited to welcome a mix of new and returning sponsors, donors and guests.
“A big part of this event is bringing people together, to strengthen our efforts and knowledge towards achieving gender equality and putting an end to gender-based violence,” she said. “Demands for our vital programs and services, which are available to all members of the community, continue to soar. We are grateful for the continued and growing support of our community to ensure that we may continue to provide help to those in need and hope to the community we serve as we help individuals and families in our community to be empowered in their healing.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
