Public Education

Public Education and raising awareness around the issues of domestic violence and healthy relationships plays an integral role in our community for reducing interpersonal violence. Nova Vita offers a variety of topics on issues ranging from healthy relationships and how to support someone, to intimate partner violence and violence in the workplace, and a variety of other interpersonal relationship issues. We can tailor presentations to meet your needs.

We provide presentations to community agencies, businesses, schools, clubs, religious institutions, and more. Classroom presentations are delivered to high school and elementary students on topics such as domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual harassment, and healthy relationships. Additionally, upon request we will provide on-site counselling at both schools boards.

Community Partnerships

Nova Vita’s proactive and innovative approach to ending interpersonal violence and reducing risk involves close working relationships with our community partners including the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, Victim Services of Brant, Brant Family and Children’s Service, Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services, Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Team (BGH)), Brantford Police Services, OPP, Six Nations Police, Probation and Parole, Victim/Witness Assistance Program, the Bridge, Dalhousie Place, Brantford PRIDE, Canadian Mental Health Association of Brant, City of Brantford, Communtiy Legal Clinic, Family Counselling Centre of Brant, Grand Erie District School Board, Grand River Community Health Centre, Mississaugas of the Credit, Ogwadeni:deo, YMCA, Kids Can Fly, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, St. Leonard’s Community Services, Brant Native Housing.

what we do – community engagment – pub ed

Community Committees

Nova Vita participates on the following committees:

BRAVE Committee: Nova Vita is currently the co-chair of the B.R.A.V.E (Brant’s Response Against Violence Everywhere) committee, a committee composed of over 20 organizations committed to improving services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
Elder Abuse Committee
Anti-Human Trafficking Committee
Crisis Table

Community Development

Community Development is all about making a difference. Want to get involved? There are many ways you can!

Participate: Purchase a ticket for our annual International Women’s Day event, register a foursome for Golf Fore Nova Vita, or lace up your red shoes in our Heels to Heal walk! Learn more about our exciting events, and how you can get involved, here.
Host: Host your very own fundraiser in support of Nova Vita. Whether it’s a bake sale, garage sale, or anything else you can dream of, every dollar makes a difference for families utilizing our services. Get started here.
Sponsor: Make a big difference when you become an Annual Partner or event sponsor. With multiple opportunities available, there is a sponsorship level for every budget and impact level. Learn more here.
Donate: Nova Vita appreciates every dollar and item donated in support of the families that utilize our services. For more information on how you can donate online, or what items we are in need of most, visit our Donate page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Standing behind the success of Nova Vita and Closet Couture is a group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate and committed to the wonderful work that we do in providing residential and counselling services to abused and homeless women and their children. In fact, our amazing volunteer program matches your skills and passion with our various programs.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Leave your mark while in service to others. It is the most gracious work you can do.

Can you spare 3 – 4 hours a week? 10 hours a month? Whatever you are comfortable contributing. Join us for a chance to make a difference, help others, make new friends, gain work experience or even the beginnings of a new career.

We seek a diverse mix of volunteers from all ages and backgrounds with a variety of skills. A talent that you may have thought unimportant may be what we are looking for. We also value male volunteers as they act as positive role models for the children at Nova Vita.

For more information on how you can become a Nova Vita volunteer, click here.

The Hairspray Project

The Hairspray Project seeks to harness the bond between salon professionals and their clients in order to expand the entry point of services for women living in abusive relationships. By educating salon professionals on how to recognize signs of abuse and make appropriate community referrals discreetly, women in the community can gain access to information and services that they might not learn of, using traditional means. We offer training and information sessions on recognizing the signs of abuse and provide discreet resources to help build awareness of domestic violence support for clients in need.

For more information contact Anne Ruddell at aruddell@novavita.org or 519-752-1005 ext 228.