The Ironwood Project is a not for profit organization based in Halton Hills. 
We are dedicated to improving the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Support groups are offered at no cost to participants. 

 

Ironwood Presents:

SomaYoga with Instructor Gabrielle Allison

Learn how somatics and yoga unite to help us regulate our nervous system and re-educate holding patterns that keep us stuck in chronic physical/mental/emotional tension, or pain, and in dysfunctional movement and postures.

Event includes a lesson in somatic practices and a SomaYoga class.
This event is being offered at no cost to current and past Survivors Group participants.

Please reach out for more information or to register for the event to jodi@theironwoodproject.ca

 

What's Happening at Ironwood...

MARCH

EASTER WEEKND

APRIL

Survivor's Support Groups on BREAK until May

Saturday, April 6th - Art Afternoon (Noon to 3pm)

Monday, April 15th - Board Meeting (Virtual)

Thursday, April 25th - Supporter's Group (Partners & Parents)

Sunday, April 28th - SomaYoga with Instructor Gabrielle Allison (1:30pm-3:15pm)

Host Meeting

MAY

Sunday, May 5th - Co-ed Support Group

Monday, May 6th - Women's Only Support Group

Sunday, May 12th - Cancelled for MOTHER'S DAY

Monday, May 13th - Women's Only Support Group

VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND 

Sunday, May 26th - Co-ed Support Group

Monday, May 27th - Women's Only Support Group

Thursday, May 30th - Supporter's Group (Partners & Parents)

JUNE

Sunday, June 2nd - Co-ed Support Group

Monday, June 3rd - Women's Only Support Group

Sunday, June 9th - Co-ed Support Group

Monday, June 10th - Women's Only Support Group

Sunday, June 16th - Cancelled for FATHER'S DAY

Monday, June 17th - Women's Only Support Group

Thursday, June 20th - Supporter's Group (Partners & Parents)

Sunday, June 23rd - Co-ed Support Group

Monday, June 24th - Women's Only Support Group

CANADA DAY WEEKEND

JULY

Survivor's Support Groups on BREAK until August

Art Night-TBD

Special Event -

EMDR Speaker (details to be confirmed)

Thursday, July 25th - Supporter's Group (Partners & Parents)

Host Meeting

Board Meeting

 

What a fabulous way to end 2023!

Thank you to our community and supporters. 

Thank you to everyone that voted, donated, supported and helped us grow. 

Looking forward to all we can accomplish in 2024!


What is CommunityVotes?

Our mission is to provide each community a place where its members can recognize the outstanding businesses and services that make our lives that much better each day.

 

 

‘SAVED MY LIFE’: Georgetown support group a lifeline for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

By Steve LeBlanc Independent Free Press

Thursday, November 30, 2023

As the Ironwood Project nears its fifth anniversary, Chris Kirby sees a lot of positives.

The childhood sexual abuse survivors group he founded in February 2019 has helped upward of 60 people — surpassing initial expectations. It has a committed corporate sponsor in Sugar Estate Media, was the latest recipient of a donation from 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills, has worked with the Halton Regional Police Services’ victim services unit and recently found a new location for its meetings.

However, one shortcoming remains.

“We’re failing men,” said the Ironwood Project director, noting that of all the participants who’ve walked into his organization’s meetings, only four have been men. This is despite studies that show one in six boys (compared to one in three girls) experience childhood sexual abuse before the age of 18. “We’re (society) just too accepting that men in particular just don’t talk about this. We need to push back against that.”

Continued...

 

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

We moved into our new home

Presentation to the Halton Police Victims Services Unit

First Monthly Supporters Group

First Art Day Session for participants

Donation from The 100 Women Who Care - Halton Hills

Host Team Building Evening 

Training with Halton Regional Police re: reporting sexual violence

The Common Good Mini Retreat for participants

Downtown Georgetown Farmers' Market Booths

Initial development of Prevention Training

Teacher Curriculum Conference Day 

Initial development of Disclosure Training

First All Women's Survivors Group

Christmas Movie Night 

Win Community Votes 2023 Non-Profit Platinum Award


IN THE COMMUNITY

The Ironwood Project presented to the Halton Regional Police Service Victims Services Volunteer Training again this year. We are pleased to be invite back and to have an opportunity to share what Ironwood is about.


 

 

The Ironwood Project would like to thank our donors. Donations allow us to offer support groups, to educate groups and individuals in the community and to both prevent and heal the impact of sexual abuse on our community.

A special thank you to Sugar Estate Media, 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills and the private donors that make this possible.

 

 

 
 

OUR NEW HOME

The Ironwood community is happy to have a new home that is just for us.  We have a meeting room for the survivor peer support groups, a community room for hosting supporters groups and workshops as well as other Ironwood events. It's nice to be home.

Thank you to our raffledonors including Aquascape, Red-T Media, MLSE and private donors.

Thank you to everyone that came out and supported us today.

And a special thank you to our participants that volunteered to work at the market today.

Presence matters. Visibility matters. Thank you.

Congratulations to our raffle winners!

Prize 1-Aquascape AquaGarden WINNER: Frederique Avovac

Prize 2-Raptors Set WINNER: Lizon Mick

Prize 3-Summer Sizzler Fun Pack WINNER: Jill Moss

Prize 4-Red-T Books and Indigo Set WINNER: RoseAnna Helson

 

 

The Ironwood Project was the recipient of a very generous donation by the 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills on May 17th.

We are thrilled to be able to use this donation to help grow our programming and help survivors in our community.

Thank you 100 Women Who Care Halton Hills!

 

The Ironwood Supporters Workshop runs the last Thursday of every month. This new support group is just for the supporters of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. A chance to ask hard questions, talk with other supporters, gather information, tools and understanding about the survivor in your life.

We will be discussing:

•Ways to support yourself and yourloved one(s)

•Brain function after trauma

•Neuroplasticity

•Triggers

For more information: info@theironwoodproject.ca

 

 

 

 

The Ironwood Project is a not for profit organization based in Halton Hills.

We are dedicated to improving the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Our services are offered free of charge and run by volunteers.

 

 

   

Making a donation has never been easier

Your donation will help us continue to offer support groups to survivors of childhood sexual abuse, to educate groups and individuals in the community, and to both prevent and heal the impact of sexual abuse in our society.

Thank you to our donors.

Because of your generosity we have been able to fund our peer support groups and plan for the future.

 

What Past Participants Had To Say

"I am so proud of what I have been able to accomplish."

"This group has absolutely changed my life for the better. Being around people who 'get it' is so incredibly healing. Hearing people's stories helped me to better understand my own. I felt safe, seen, heard, and understood."

"I had so many breakthrough moments that have fundamentally changed my life."

"Benefits of group sharing were surprisingly valuable to my own understanding and acceptance."

"I wasn't sure I would feel comfortable opening up in a group format but it was so helpful to hear other members' stories."

"I always felt safe and heard and surrounded by people that understood and respected me. I looked forward to coming every week."

"An experience like we just went through makes me want to continue and do more. It has been the most life altering therapy because it was among peers."

"I always felt completely safe."


The Ironwood Project is not about telling your secret.  It isn't about therapy or counselling.  It is simply a safe place for survivors to gather.  It is an opportunity to get together and talk about things that maybe you feel you can't talk about anywhere else.  It is an opportunity to share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.  It is a place to explore topics like isolation, fear and anger with people who are looking for some of the same answers you are.  It is a place to hear what has and what hasn't worked for your peers and to maybe start to figure out what would work for you.

The Ironwood Project - Halton Hills

The Ironwood Project - Halton Hills facilitates support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Weekly meetings include peer based discussions on the struggles and challenges facing adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with an emphasis on understanding and overcoming those obstacles.

For more information, or to register for a future groups, please contact me at: info@theironwoodproject.ca

 


Why Ironwood?

Ironwood is a common name for a large number of woods found all over the world. These woods have a reputation for strength, durability, and an incredibly beautiful wood grain. They are known to grow in both dry and wet conditions, mostly requiring sunlight and a stable environment.

This is us.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are very common, occurring in frighteningly large numbers all over the world. We are not separated by gender, race, religion, economic standing, social class or geographic location. We are everywhere.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are the strongest, most durable and heart-warmingly beautiful people I have ever had the privilege to meet. Each and every one of them.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse need light to thrive. For far too long we have been stuck in the shadows, shoved into dark corners and spoken about in furtive hushed tones. It is time for us to shine a light. It is time for us to speak in strong, unwavering voices.

It is time for The Ironwood Project.


The purpose of this website is to provide general information about us and our services only. Everyone has different life experiences that have brought him/her to this page.  We are not crisis counsellors or therapists.  If you are in crisis please contact a qualified medical professional to assist you. If you need a list of support resources, please go to our Information page.