On Saturday, October 1st, 2022 The Ironwood Project hosted our first Thank You Event. Participants had an opportunity to speak to those gathered. We were fortunate to have Sarah share what she had written that day, and with her permission, we share it here as well. Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you to our donors 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
Ironwood is in our fifth year of hosting coed support groups, and it is finally time to expand our services to offer an all women's group.
Ironwood will begin hosting a new all women's peer to peer support group once a week. Like with our coed meetings, this group will be hosted by two survivors, but in this case, both hosts will be women.
This expansion will allow us to offer more room for participants. It will also allow us to offer a different experience for female survivors that may be looking for support from other women.
Contact us for more information about joining one of our coed or all women's support groups at: info@theironwoodproject.ca
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.
We would like to thank all of the supporters and visitors to our booth at the Georgetown Farmers' Market on June 24th. We had lots of wonderful conversations and were met with a ton of support. Special thanks to our volunteers. We couldn't have done it without you.
The winner of The Ironwood Project Raffle valued at $250 is:
Yvonne McDonald.
Thank you to everyone that entered.
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
We are proud to announce that The Ironwood Project has partnered with Darkness To Light to bring training and awareness to organizations and the community about the prevention of sexual abuse.
For more information, please see our Darkness To Light page.
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.