How We're Growing in 2021

Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
January Newsletter

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As we step into 2021, we feel gratitude.

Our gratitude extends to many - but especially to the survivors who trust us with their healing journey, our donors, funders and volunteers. Because of you, we are weaving together a caring community during a time of isolation.

As we face a new year, we also feel the surge in need that's arisen in recent years due to the Me-Too movement and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Our waitlists have reached an all-time high. At last count, 150 survivors were waiting to access our counselling services.

So, we're taking action.

No survivor should languish on a waitlist. That's why, thanks to our community's generosity and COVID-19 relief funds, we are pleased to announce we are recruiting two NEW full-time Counsellor/Advocates to help us meet the demand. If you've supported our Centre in recent years, we thank you for helping us grow our capacity!

Do you know someone who is inspired by our work and has a genuine desire to support our mission, vision, and values? Let them know we are hiring!

Committed to reflecting our diverse community, we especially encourage applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ candidates.

Please click the button below for the application link. We are accepting applications until February 21, 2021.

Now Hiring! Click here for more information or to apply!

Chelsea’s Series 2021
Understanding Human Sex Trafficking & Online Sexual Exploitation in Waterloo Region
February 22-29, 2021

We are pleased to partner with Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, MT Space, Kitchener Public Library, The Princess Theatre, Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation and Kindred Credit Union to present Chelsea's Series.

This is a series of 8 events stretched over a week starting on Feb 22, 2020 in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Our team will be participating in a panel discussion, talk-backs, and even facilitating a couple of workshops!

All events will be virtual and free. Registration will be limited. For more information check here:

Chelsea's Series Registration

The first week of February each year is Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This year, our Public Education team will explore the intersections of trauma, disordered eating, gender, bodies, and healing. There are multiple ways to join in this important conversation, register for a workshop, tune into a live video discussion, or follow our social media feeds to learn about these topics. Read more below!

Masculinity and Body Image
February 1st, 12 p.m.
Hosted by Male Allies
Join the conversation at the start time on the Male Allies Facebook page.

Disordered Eating and Sexual Violence
February 2nd, 1-2 p.m.
Click here to register !

Healing From Disordered Eating After Trauma
February 3rd, 3 p.m.
Join the conversation at the start time our Instagram page.

Masculinity and Disordered Eating
February 4th, 1-2 p.m.
Hosted by Male Allies
Click here to register!

We want to build a community of support around local survivors of sexual violence.

So in 2021, we are calling on 40 community members to join us as monthly donors. For as little as $10 a month, you can help us live out our motto to survivors: you are not alone.

Lately, our motto takes on new significance. Our Centre is working around the clock to ensure compassionate community care is there for survivors when they reach out. And they are reaching out, in record numbers. Last year, we saw a 55 per cent increase in requests for support from survivors. Today, we are taking action and hiring two additional Counsellor/Advocates to help us meet the demand, but with 150 survivors on our waitlist, there is more work to do.

Please consider joining us as a monthly donor today.

Click here to make a monthly or one time donation!

Save the date(s)! We are hard at work lining up some great virtual events for 2021. More information will be available about our 2021 happenings in the weeks and months to come.

Events are constantly updated and added to our website. For up to date information, add our events calendar to your bookmarks.

February 1 - 7: Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 22 - 28: Chelsea's Series
May 1 - 31: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month | Virtual Auction
May 7: No One Asks For It! (Wear Purple Day)
June: Annual General Meeting (Date to be confirmed)
September 16: Take Back The Night
October 23: Virtual Halloween Fun Run
November 30: Giving Tuesday

All it takes is one. One caring donor to inspire a community of giving. One ally to start a wave of solidarity with survivors.

Please help us kick off our monthly donor campaign. We are looking for 40 new supporters to join us with a monthly gift. Just $10 can make a huge difference by providing a survivor with much-needed self-care items like food, toiletries and bus tickets.

We'll update this graphic for every new monthly donor that joins us until we've reached our goal.

Give today by clicking here.

We wish to extend our thanks to the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, for choosing SASC as one of nine organizations to receive support through the Fund for Gender Equality. These funds will go towards our Group Counselling program - a vital service that saw a sharp increase in participation of 312 per cent last fall.

To read more about the Fund, click the image below: