Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley

WRSFV Main Administration
Phone:
604-820-8455
Fax:
604-820-8495
Email: admin@wrsfv.ca

Events

FRONYA - Thrift Boutique Store

Employment Opportunities

WRSFV History page last updated - May 30, 2011

A Brief History......

Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley (WRSFV) has a proud history steeped in grassroots action that has allowed it to grow from a handful of concerned women into a multi-layered, equality seeking, anti-violence organization.

In 1975, women all over the country were gathering in small groups called "consciousness raising groups". The groups were based on the belief that women's empowerment is strengthened through solidarity between women and the sharing of the collective experience. Themes like gender socialization, sexualization of the female body, division of labour, and the dynamics of abuse were concerns that brought women together.

It was in this atmosphere that a handful of women in Mission established a discussion and social action group, calling themselves "Fronya". For the next seven years, Fronya operated a small women's center on Seventh Avenue in Mission, entirely staffed by volunteers and funded by donations.

In 1982, the group decided to focus their energies into a specific project, and formed the Mission Transition House Society with the intent of opening a shelter for abused women. After incredible amounts of fundraising, the Mission Transition House was finally opened in 1984.

In line with grassroots tradition, the house was operated entirely by volunteer labor and donations until 1985, when provincial funding was received for three part-time staff as well as limited operating costs.

Four years later, provincial and federal (CMHC) funds became available to open and operate a twelve-bed shelter for abused women in Abbotsford. To accommodate the expanded service, the name of the society was then changed to the "Central Valley Transition House Society".

In 1992, as provincial governments were pushed to recognize violence against women as a community responsibility, financial support was increased. Subsequently, the Abbotsford Women's Support Services office was opened for women in need of support and information. The following year, Mission Women's Support Services began offering group and individual support for women who had been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or survivors of incest.

The year of 1993 saw a huge growth spurt for the Society as we began hosting the Baby's Best Chance program (designed to support women experiencing a high risk pregnancy) as well as Children Who Witness Abuse programs in Abbotsford and Mission. In order to reflect the wider array of programs offered, the society name was then changed for the final time, becoming the "Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley".

Unfortunately, violence against women is still a reality in our communities. We continue to provide services to women and children who have been affected by abuse, and are firmly committed to our philosophies of inclusiveness and equality. We work from a framework that recognizes the systemic power imbalance between men and women and believe that the most devastating outcome of this imbalance comes in the form of violence against women. This violence has huge social, economic, and political implications for women and children. It also negatively affects men and, ultimately, is destructive to our entire planet.

The Woman's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley is working for the safety and security of women and children.
WRSFV Programs and Services are funded by: The Province of British Columbia: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Government of Canada: Status of Women Canada, Health Canada, United Way of the Fraser Valley, District of Mission, Mission/Abbotsford Soroptimist International, Business, Service and Faith Groups, Individuals and fundraising initiatives.


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