{"id":13856,"date":"2017-03-02T11:36:55","date_gmt":"2017-03-02T16:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/?p=13856\/"},"modified":"2024-11-01T16:40:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T20:40:47","slug":"being-bold-for-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/en\/giving-life\/connecting-with-charities\/being-bold-for-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Being Bold For Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charity Spotlight: This blog post is part of our charity spotlight series and was provided by Tara Monks, Community Development Coordinator at Armagh. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day\u00a0for another year on March 8, we are reminded of how far so many women have come economically, politically, and culturally in many area of the world, but at the same time, we can\u2019t help but think of how far we still have to go to ensure sweeping equality for both men and women around the globe. For many women in our communities, this year\u2019s International Women\u2019s Day theme, #BeBoldForChange encourages women to take bold actions to help women and girls close the gender gap and achieve gender parity, but for others, being bold for change can include making the bold and courageous decision to leave an abusive relationship and change their lives. It\u2019s a bold move, but at Armagh, we help women and children do just that.<\/p>\n

This is Lul\u2019s Story<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Full of hope, Lul* immigrated to Canada five years ago years ago with her husband<\/strong>. She was looking forward to settling into her new home and country, learning English, and starting a family. But soon after they arrived, Lul\u2019s hope turned to despair when her husband began to abuse her. He became violent when he drank, and completely isolated her from their former life together.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never allowed me to do anything,\u201d said Lul speaking through an interpreter. \u201cI couldn\u2019t go to school or go out. I had no social life, no family, and no community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Months of anguish for Lul turned into years. As she remembers her husband\u2019s unspeakable acts of cruelty and humiliation, her tears flow freely. No translation is needed to understand her pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband would threaten me all the time,\u201d said Lul. \u201cHe\u2019d tell me that my sponsorship in Canada would be withdrawn if I didn\u2019t do what he wanted. I felt I had no choice, no way out. I was afraid for myself and my two young children.\u201d<\/p>\n

As things continued on a downward spiral, Lul became pregnant again. It was days before Lul reached her due date, that her husband did the unthinkable and told Lul that he would kill her, kill their children, and commit suicide. Knowing this was it, and that she was faced with a life or death situation, Lul somehow found the strength to leave. She confided in a friend, who helped Lul and her children escape while her husband was out, and ten days later, Lul\u2019s baby was born in an emergency shelter.<\/p>\n

Shortly thereafter, Lul moved into Armagh, a transitional supportive housing program for female victims of abuse located in Mississauga, Ontario. It was what she discovered there that was a surprise amongst it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was expecting a space like a shelter with shared facilities,\u201d said Lul. \u201cWhat I found was a home. The unit was fully furnished, with two bedrooms and our own kitchen and bathroom. I couldn\u2019t believe it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDay by day I take a piece back of myself and have grown stronger and happier than ever in the process. It is a hard road to travel. I still have the odd bad day and have trouble even thinking about getting into another relationship as I am scared, but anything is possible and Armagh helped me believe that. It has now been a year since I left Armagh, and I thank them for their support. They believed in me, listened to my fears and helped me build my confidence and strength. I am no longer so scared.\u201d
\n\u2014Armagh resident.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At Armagh, we provide women and their children a safe place to overcome the devastating effects of abuse, rebuild their lives, and feel empowered enough to embark on a new life after abuse. As a non-profit, Armagh\u2019s transitional supportive housing program includes supportive transitional housing for up to one year, individual and group counselling, legal and housing support, self-esteem, parenting, life skills and support programs, referrals to community resources, and outreach follow-up for women and their children for up to one more year once they leave our facilities.<\/p>\n