For over a year, during 2007 and 2008, one of New Path's Family Therapists was a foster mom to a "Guide Dog in Training". Top, a golden lab, quickly became a beloved member of the New Path team and unoffcial Common Roof mascot, being incorporated into counselling sessions both with New Path and other Common Roof agencies. He has now moved onto his formal guide dog training and will be greatly missed.
As part of the Neighbour Friends and Family Public Education Initiative, the Simcoe County Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee has created a county wide Clothesline Project - a very powerful tool for the work in ending women abuse.
The Clothesline project is a visual display of shirts with graphic messages and illustrations that have been designed by or in honour of women and children who have experienced violence. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence against women in the community while giving women and children an opportunity to break the silence around issues of abuse. The clothesline also provides a unique opportunity to celebrate women’s strength to survive and to remember the women who have been murdered by their intimate partners. These efforts are critical to the healing process and ultimately, to ending the cycle of violence.
Counsellors and leaders of all therapy groups in Simcoe County dealing with this issue of domestic violence and woman abuse participated in this collaborative project by either hosting their own sessions (in-house) or taking part in Open Studio time, located in the Common Roof located at 165 Ferris Lane in Barrie.
Below are just some of the powerful images that were created. Click on the picture to view a larger image.