16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign to end gender-based violence. Every year, the campaign begins on November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and ends on December 10 (the International Day of Human Rights).

Over the course of two weeks, Nova Vita will host a series of events dedicated to raising awareness, educating our community, and taking meaningful action to end gender-based violence. Learn more about each event below, including registration, locations and more.

  • Day 1 (November 25): Wrapped in Courage Flag Raisings
    Wrapped in Courage unites Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Ontario to remind everyone that now more than ever, violence continues to be the greatest inequality rights issue for women and girls. Wrapped in Courage flags will be raised throughout the month of November and across the province to show survivors of intimate partner violence that they are not alone. Join us at one of our flag raisings in Brantford and Brant County:

    • City of Brantford Flag Raising & Proclamation
      Location: Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie St, Brantford)
      Date & Time: Wednesday November 25th at 10:00AM
    • County of Brant Flag Raising & Proclamation
      Location: Council Chambers (7 Broadway St W, Paris)
      Date & Time: Wednesday November 25th at 1:00PM
  • Day 2 (November 26): “Neighbours, Friends & Families: Understanding & Preventing Intimate Partner Violence & Gender-Based Violence” Online Training
    The City of Brantford, in partnership with Western University and Brant’s Response Against Violence Everywhere (BRAVE) Committee, are offering free access to this webinar to increase public education, awareness, and advocacy. Learning is self-directed, and is a great way to support Brantford’s Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence Community Action Plan.

  • Day 3 (November 27): Challenge to Change Open House
    Nova Vita invites you to the Challenge to Change Program Open House on Friday November 27th from 11:00AM – 1:00PM. Explore our facility at 125 Sherwood Drive, Upper Unit 38, meet program staff, ask questions, and learn all about the Challenge to Change program.

  • Day 4 (November 28): Wear Purple
    When you wear a purple scarf in the month of November, it is a sign for survivors of gender-based violence that they are not alone. Purchase your Wrapped in Courage scarf to show your commitment to ending femicide and all forms of gender-based violence. Proceeds from every scarf sale directly support Nova Vita’s essential shelter and support services.

  • Day 5 (November 29): “Code of Misconduct” Documentary Screening 
    Inside a London, Ontario courtroom, journalist Rick Westhead bears witness as five former members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team stand trial, forcing a reckoning within Canada’s national pastime. Join Nova Vita as we screen the “Code of Misconduct” documentary for free in honour of “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”. Learn more about this film here.

    • Film Screening
      Time: Doors Open at 5:30PM, Screening at 6:00PM
      Location: Brantford Public Library (173 Colborne St, Brantford) in the Auditorium
  • Day 6 (November 30): “BLOSSOM: How to Support Someone in an Abusive Relationship” Webinar
    When someone you care about is in an abusive relationship, it can be very difficult and confusing to know what you can do to support them. BLOSSOM can help. This tool can help you have these difficult conversations, and show you best practices, where to find information, and much more.

  • Day 7 (December 1): Read Nova Vita’s Annual Report
    As a non-profit charity, transparency is extremely important to us because we are accountable to you, the community that we serve. Our Annual Report is a part of that accountability. Read Nova Vita’s Annual Report to learn about the work we completed last year, the impact we made, and how your donation dollars make a difference for those impacted by gender-based violence.

  • Day 8 (December 2): “BUDS: How to Talk to Someone Using Abusive Behaviours” Webinar
    When someone you care about is using abusive behaviours in a relationship, it can be very difficult and confusing to know what you can do to help them. BUDS can help. This tool can help you have these difficult conversations safely, while showing you what signs to look for, where to find resources, and more.

  • Day 9 (December 3): Donate an Urgently Needed Item from Nova Vita’s Wish List
    Nova Vita relies on the generosity of our community to help fill our shelves and pantries. Donate an item from our Urgent Needs Wish List, such as size 6 diapers, twin sheet sets, and school-safe snacks, and you could make a difference for the many families that stay at Nova Vita in their time of need. Volunteers and staff will be on-site to collect your generous donations between 11AM – 1PM. If a different time is needed, please contact Jessica Hill, Volunteer Coordinator, at jhill@novavita.org.

    • Donation Drop-Off
      11:00AM – 1:00PM  |  59 North Park St, Brantford
  • Day 10 (December 4): Share Nova Vita’s Crisis & Support Line
    If you or someone you know is experiencing violence in a relationship, Nova Vita’s Crisis & Support Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This resource is available to anyone in our community seeking help. When you share this resource, you could be saving a life. Learn more about this resource at www.novavita.org/crisis-line. Like/Comment/Share from Nova Vita’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram) to help increase awareness of this life-saving resource.

    • Nova Vita’s 24 Hour Crisis & Support Line 
      Phone/Text: 519-752-HELP  |  Online Chat: www.novavita.org/chat
  • Day 11 (December 5): Drop Off a Gift at the Hope For The Holidays Donation Day
    Your kindness and generosity can help to bring joy and comfort this holiday season to those that need it most. Be a part of the magic of Hope For The Holidays! Nova Vita is able to accept toys and gifts that are new, unwrapped, unexpired, and in-packaging for babies, children, teens, and moms. Volunteers and staff will be on-site to accept your generous donations. Need a different time? Visit www.novavita.org/hope-for-the-holidays to find another Donation Day, or email Jessica Hill, Volunteer Coordinator at jhill@novavita.org.

    • Hope For The Holidays Donation Day
      10:00AM – 1:00PM  |  59 North Park St, Brantford
  • Day 12 (December 6): Contribute to the BLOSSOM Wall
    Share why you support Nova Vita, well wishes for those seeking services, notes of encouragement and more. Our BLOSSOM Wall will greet our visitors and guests as they are welcomed into Nova Vita.

  • Day 13 (December 7): Become A Volunteer
    Nova Vita welcomes caring community members who want to lend their support and expertise in a variety of areas such as administration, event support, donation sorting, and much more. Find available volunteer positions and learn how you can apply on our website.

  • Day 14 (December 8): “Healthy Relationships & Types of Abuse” Webinar
    Relationships shape a big part of our lives, but not all relationships are healthy, and sometimes it’s hard to recognize the difference. “Healthy Relationship & Types of Abuse” is a free webinar in which you will explore the skills needed to build healthier relationships with yourself and others, recognize early signs of abusive behaviours, and know where to go for support.

  • Day 15 (December 9): Get to Know Nova Vita
    You don’t need to live in our shelter to get help. Nova Vita offers counselling, housing and outreach support, children’s programs, rural outreach, counseling services for men, and much more. Become an ally, and get to know that all of Nova Vita has to offer.

  • Day 16 (December 10): Share Stats
    Seeing the reality of intimate partner violence can be jarring, upsetting, and overwhelming. However, it is more important than ever to share these statistics as they help to inform, educate, and show why the work that violence against women (VAW) shelters are doing is necessary and essential. Share the stats that Nova Vita will post on our social media pages today, and help spread awareness.

For more information about Nova Vita’s “16 Days of Activism” programming, please contact:

Tianna Destro
Public Educator  
E: tdestro@novavita.org | P: 519-752-1005 ext 237

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