Community resources & partners
Racist Incident Helpline: (1-833-457-5463)
The Racist Incident Helpline 1-833-457-5463 (1-833-HLP-LINE) provides safe support to people who have experienced or witnessed an act of racism in British Columbia. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (PT), in over 240 languages. Visit racistincidenthelpline.ca.
We empower women to take charge of their health by providing access to information, making informed choices, and advocating for themselves and demanding quality care when necessary.
Victoria, Canada: Free and Paid Sexual & Reproductive Health Access Guide
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development contains a" number of targets related to reproductive health. Specifically, target 3.7 calls for ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes by 2030."
This Access Guide is in line with SNIWWOC's mandate to explore reproductive justice using food, art, and education. It is important to acknowledge the ways in which multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and stigma can create barriers in accessing information about essential health services in Victoria BC, leading to poor health outcomes.
We have distributed over 5,000 pamphlets to multiple non-profit organizations, community centres, and healthcare facilities across Victoria.
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)
TAPS is one of the largest providers of free, face-to-face legal advocacy for people with income assistance, disability benefits, employment standards, and tenancy issues. They help over 7,000 people in Victoria each year!
TAPS also provides legal education and training through seminars, and produces a newsletter: TAPROOT, with updated legal information that is widely distributed throughout Greater Victoria.
Our talk will be led by Antonia Mah and Thaer Harba who are both Tenant legal advocates for TAPS.
TAPS advocates help people in the Victoria area with matters that involve any of the following:
Provincial disability (PWD) applications & appeals
Income assistance (welfare)
Employment standards disputes
Residential tenancy disputes
Income tax for low-income earners
To learn more about taps click here
every mother
From pre-natal stage to post-pregnancy, Every Mother provides workouts and exercises, specifically tailored for mothers to keep them fit and healthy at every stage of motherhood and help them avoid Diastasis Recti. To know more about the work they do, please visit their website link HERE
Victoria women’s transition house
With constant lockdowns across the country, cases of domestic violence have been on the rise. Out of the fear of not being able to find another roof over their head, victims of domestic violence often continue to stay with their abuser. There is an urgent need to assure their safety and give them access to proper resources and support. If you or someone you know is looking for help, Victoria Women’s Transition House is here to provide a safe shelter.
Disabled Women’s Network of Canada (DAWN)
Did you know that around 53% of people with disabilities in Canada comprises of women? Across the world, women with disabilites have to often overcome a number of obstacles. And if you come from BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, the challenges keep adding up. DAWN Canada is an organisation which is working relentlessly towards ending poverty, discrimination and abuse that is faced by women with disabilities and invisible disabilities. HERE is a website link to know more on how they are putting Feminist Disability Leadership in Action.
CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY
Canadian AIDS society is dedicated towards raising awareness around HIV/AIDS across the country and provide ongoing support to people and communities who are diagnosed with it and thereby affected by it. If you are looking for resources to know more in detail about HIV/AIDS, its causes and its impact, please visit the the website link here
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC)
BCAAFC is a website application which aims to create a safe environment for the BIPOC community to share their experiences of racism and microagression in the BC healthcare system. BCAAFC will review your story and ensure that your identity stays protected. To know more about how to navigate through the Safespace Networks, keep reading here
The joys of breastfeeding: How my son gave me one of the greatest gifts of motherhood
Breastfeeding can be quite task for a lot of mothers. And more so when you are still getting used to it. In this informative yet heartwarming article, writer Katie Gagnon shares her breastfeeding story and how it helped her experience the joy of motherhood. Read full article here.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Substance abuse and addiction is a problem that needs to be addressed at various levels. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction is a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated towards finding solutions to combat alcohol and drug related addictions. To know more in detail about how they are creating a difference, visit the link here.
FEMPOWERED
Want to know about the conversations that are happening across the globe when it comes destigmatizing menstruation? Fempowered is one such organisation that is helping raise awareness around women’s reproductive health. To know more about their stories of impact, read here.
PUSSYPEDIA
Our hormones undergo constant fluctuations every month. To know more in detail about how it impact our menstrual cycle, read this insightful article here.
MeToo
From exploring healing to helping out a survivor, the MeToo page is here to help you in times of crisis even if you are 18 years or younger. To know more about MeToo visit the link.
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Canadian Women’s Foundation aims to tackle and overcome critical challenges that BIPOC women, girls, and Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary people have to face in Canada on a daily basis. To know more about them, visit the link here.
Getting to 30 by 2030: Municipal Elections in Canada: A Guide for women candidates
The United Nations defines 30 per cent female representation as the minimum required in a government body before policy begins to adequately reflect women’s concerns. At present, 22 per cent of all Canadian municipal politicians are women. The goal of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is to see women make up 30 per cent of local government councils by 2026.
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
To understand relationship abuse, we must recognize that it is more than physical violence. Ending the harm and stigma of domestic violence requires a nuanced understanding of the behaviors that define it, as well as examples of healthy relationships to inform your decisions and interactions moving forward. Our advocates are available 24/7 by phone and live chat to discuss your situation and help you determine if your relationship might be abusive.
Abuse defined
Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.
For more information click here
Healing in Colour
Offers a directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting BIPOC in all our intersections. By helping to connect our community in this way, we aim to revitalize a legacy of healing, liberation work and resiliency practices that have been lost/taken.
Mental Health Services through First Nations Health Authority
As long as you are seeing a mental health provider who is registered with Health Benefits, all telehealth sessions are fully covered.
Wellness Together Canada
Wellness Together Canada is funded by the Government of Canada and they provide 24/7 counselling services and other resources for residents of Canada (including minors). If you need to talk to counsellor immediately or want to access to more resources, visit Wellness Together Canada’s website here.
The Screen Project
Genetic screening, also called genetic testing, is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins derived from a sample that you provide. The results of your BRCA genetic test will help determine if your genes or chromosomes may be linked to your current existing health conditions. It also helps determine your chance of developing and/or passing on BRCA-mutation related disorder(s).
Genetic testing through the Screen Project is based on a saliva sample that you provide. Details about this process are available in the consent form, which will be provided after you sign up here.
Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)
The Battered Women’s Support Services provides education, advocacy, and support services to assist all women in its aim to work towards the elimination of violence and to work from a feminist perspective that promotes equality for all women. If you need their support or know anyone who need their assistance, visit the BWSS’s website here.
myPostCare
myPostCare is a web-based tool which was designed to provide women and non-binary people with support, information, and resources for surgical abortion. The site includes evidence-based information on post-procedure care, emotional well-being, contraception, sexual health, and other resources in the community such as talk lines, counselling, and more. You can access the link from here.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Program
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Outreach Program provides free webinar for communities. The CRA has been providing information on tax measures, filing, credit and benefit entitlements to Indigenous Peoples, Seniors/Elders, Newcomers to Canada, Persons with Disabilities, Students/Youth and lower income Canadians. You can register from the link here to join their webinar.
The CRA Free Tax Clinics provide services for individuals who are not familiar with the filing process. The CRA community volunteers in your area can help you file your taxes for free. Find a CRA Free Tax Clinic near you from the link here.
The CRA Benefit and Credits Factsheets provides information about benefits you may be eligible. Information is available in English here and French here.
Crime victims assistance program
CVAP will cover the cost of 48 therapy/counselling sessions. Link to the program.
The crime must have occurred within British Columbia after July 1, 1972
Is available to victims whether or not a perpetrator is charged
applications from victims of sexual offences have NO time limit
applications for other violent crimes must be received within one year of the date the crime occurred
family members of victims / witnesses of violent crimes can also apply for financial coverage of counselling as well within 1 year of the crime
also provides coverage for legal support and other expenses (moving, missed work, etc) for victims within 1 year of the crime.
SNIWWOC
in the news
LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
Support Network for Indigenous Women & Women of Colour
Quadra Village,
Victoria BC.
Phone: 250-277-2545
Hours of Service: 8:30 - 4:30 pm (by appointment only)
Bridges for women’s society
The Indigenous Women’s Bridging Program is starting February & is open to all Indigenous women. They focus on personal development, cultural activities, uncovering strengths and skills, and employment readiness, all as part of the journey of healing from trauma and abuse. A variety of guest speakers, arts and craft activities, sharing circles and field trips will be included and participants will work on identifying interests and skills that are relevant to developing their long-term life and career goals. This free program runs twice a week for 2 hours and will be delivered via Zoom, with some in-person outings as Spring comes. Bridges for Women provides all of the materials to participate and can also offer counselling, child care and transportation support, and academic upgrading via our partnership with Camosun College. Their programs are open to all self identified women including non-binary and 2 spirit folks who are most comfortable as part of the women's community. Check out the link here.
Black Birth Equity Fund
US Based funding for expectant Black birthing people to access culturally adequate doulas .
Be Black/African-American
Be expecting a child/children, and be in their first - third trimester of pregnancy at the time of application submission
Reside in the United States
Be seeking Doula services for your birthing journey – the award cannot be used for other services beyond Doula support and care.
Guide to menstrual cycles & mental hEALTH
Yoppie looks at the myths, misconceptions, truths and realities of the relationship between mental health and your menstrual cycle. To know and understand more about menstrual cycles and mental health, check out their guide here.
Canadian’s women foundation: SIGNAL FOR HELP RESPONDER
Gender-based violence is all around us. Every 6 days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. But abusive relationships often fly under the radar — and many women end up trapped for years under threats of violence if they try to escape or reach out for help. For people who face inequality, discrimination, and racism, there is an even greater risk of violence and abuse. Now more than ever, we need to come together to support people in our communities facing gender-based violence — so they aren’t silenced, stigmatized, and left behind. For more information, click link.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS POST-COVID: TRENDS & STATISTICS 2022
Throughout the decades, health trends have experienced many reinventions, readjustments, and revisions. To understand more about the health and wellness statistics in 2022, check out this link.
Understanding and Managing Anxiety: A Guide for University Students
Anxiety in particular is an increasingly common and challenging issue – which can be easily triggered by a sudden shift in your life like leaving the comfort of home for the first time. This informative guide explores mental health at university, how to identify potential red flags, and highlights what you can do to manage your mental health. Check out this link to learn more!
3 ways you’re harming black folks & how to do better
An anti-racism course by Selam Debs, which includes: 1) 3 Common Ways White People Harm Black Folks, 2) Language Matters, 3) White Innocence/Defensiveness, 4) Asking Black folks to educate you, 5) How white people can do better. To learn more, check out this link.
your home & your well-being: how to achieve a work-life balance while working from home
The pandemic has affected lives, in all different ways including the workplace. In order to find that work-life balance, there’s different strategies that can be used. To know more and learn, check out this link.
Renal Assistance Program (RAP)- For BC residents only
The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working BC families with monthly assistance to help with their monthly rent payments.
To qualify, families must have a total before-tax household income of $40,000 or less, were working at some point in the last year, and have at least one dependent child. Existing clients need to reapply each year.