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
Intimacy After Trauma with Emilia Pacholec
On Saturday, October 19th Registered Psychotherapist Emilia Pacholec will be hosting two workshops. The first workshop from 10am-Noon will be for partners of survivors of childhood sexual abuse and the second will be from 1pm-3pm and will be for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
These workshops are being sponsored by The Ironwood Project. The Survivors Workshop will be open to past and present Ironwood participants. The Partners Workshop will be open to the public. No past or current affiliation is required. Space is limited. Register early.
For more information on Emilia Pacholec, please go to www.newmoonpsychology.ca
Ironwood Highlights for September and October
Co-ed Support Group Sunday nights at 7pm
Women's Support Group Monday nights at 7pm
The Ironwood Project at the Downtown Georgetown Farmers' Market September 7th from 8am to noon
Partners and Parents Support Group Thursday, September 26th at 7pm
Survivor Support Groups on break for the month of October
Intimacy After Trauma Workshops Saturday, October 19th
For more detail please refer to our calendar (Agenda View) or reach out at info@theironwoodproject.ca.
What's Happening at Ironwood...
The Ironwood Project would like to thank Halton Hills Today and author Herb Garbutt for supporting us. Herb Garbutt also wrote the very first article about The Ironwood Project in January of 2019. We are grateful for his continued support.
We currently offer weekly Women's Only and Co-Ed Groups as well as a monthly Partners and Parents Group. We are hoping to grow to include a weekly Men's Only Group. New sessions begin in May. Please reach out to our confidential email if you have any questions at info@theironwoodproject.ca.
Halton Hills Today - The Ironwood Project
Great April art session at Ironwood.
Special thanks to NatAura Handcrafted Goods for all of the supplies and the expert instruction.
Can’t wait to see the finished products!
For more information about NatAura Handcrafted Goods and their products, please check out:
https://natauroco.myshopify.com/
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.
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.
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
"Ironwood has been a lighthouse in the storm of my life experiences. I was terrified to attend my first Ironwood session. I was equally terrified to say my name aloud, and to admit to strangers that I had been sexually abused as a child - but I did, and immediately felt a sense of shame, mixed with relief. I was slow to share, but every word spoken, every story I listen to, every head nod of understanding, I slowly realized that for once in my life, I was not alone in the storm. I no longer had to hide the truth of my experiences, which allowed me to work through some of the fear, shame, anger, and array of other motions which plagued me for decades, and for which I did not fully understand. Ironwood has been a lighthouse in the storm of my life - not the buoy which barely kept me afloat, not the ship that came to save me from drowning, but rather the shining light that provided a path and gave me courage to be my own saviour. I will forever be grateful for the immense and transformative impact and support this organization, it’s participants and hosts have brought to my life."
"Being here, I can breathe, I can set aside the armour for a bit, where other people “get it”, a place that I feel safe."
"Yes….It’s a safe space, they are your people, they have your back and will be there whenever and wherever you need them, this is a safe haven/ safe house. I highly recommend for anyone with sexual trauma."
"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."
"I always felt safe and heard and surrounded by people that understood and respected me. I looked forward to coming every week."
"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.
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.