April 2025 Newsletter

Her Strength, Their Future

This April, as we celebrate Easter, we recognize that not all families are safe and that supporting and empowering mothers ultimately benefits their children.

SARA is deeply grateful to donors and volunteers who support our programs. One such group is CFUW Abbotsford, Canadian Federation of University Women, who recently spent a very fun afternoon at one of SARA's housing programs, setting up three different stations for mothers and their kids to make a craft, decorate cookies, and create with play-dough.

Tina Hinds, **CFUW** member writes, “We had a great time and were so impressed with the kids. They were so polite and had such enthusiasm. I think our volunteers felt connected and are keen to do more. After speaking with staff I believe there will be a push to provide more support for the basics for the women living there.”

Read the following uplifting story of a woman and her two children who escaped domestic violence.

When Julie and her children came to our second-stage housing program, they were navigating through significant challenges. They were on a journey to rebuild their confidence and heal from past experiences of abuse and trauma.

Julie took time off work to focus on getting better and to help her children adjust to a new community, leaving their friends and school behind.

With staff’s help, the family received counselling and support. Gradually, they began to thrive- Julie eventually regained her strength and went back to work. The children, who were once very anxious about their new surroundings, quickly adapted to their new school and began to excel in their studies. The support given to them and their own hard work helped them excel academically, so much so that they even skipped grades.

When this family left our program, they were doing well—confident and full of hope for the future. They had faced tremendous challenges and emerged strong and resilient.

Over spring break, a different team of volunteers spent a creative afternoon with children in **SARA** programs. Using their hands, brushes, and sponges to paint papers, the kids freely expressed themselves. Once dry, the papers were cut into shapes for petals, leaves, and stems, which artist Linda Klippenstein arranged into a vibrant spring garden. This artwork will be transformed into greeting cards for sale at our **50th anniversary celebration, Wednesday May 28 7:00-9:00 at The Reach Gallery**.
***Click on image below for information and tickets.***

SARA’S HOUSING AND PROGRAMS

Our dedicated staff plays a crucial role in empowering mothers and providing them with the support they need as they navigate the complexities of life after experiencing domestic violence.

Currently, there are 75 children across SARA's four housing programs. Many of the challenges faced by children in the programs stem from the complexities of navigating life after experiencing domestic violence. Women are often caught in difficult legal battles while also managing the emotional toll of sending their children to visit the other parent. The aftermath of these visits can be very distressing as moms work to support their children processing their experiences. Ongoing abuse post-separation remains a significant issue, including financial abuse—such as an abusive parent withholding court-ordered child support or sabotaging a mother’s ability to work by failing to pick up their child as scheduled. Women also face challenges in setting boundaries with abusive ex-partners, often fearing repercussions that could place their children at further risk.

By providing compassionate guidance and essential resources, SARA staff helps these mothers regain their strength and foster a safer environment for themselves and their children.