Organizers looking to establish a women’s drop-in centre on the Peninsula within the next year are gearing up for their first fundraiser.
A June 12 fashion show and tea will benefit Avalon by the Sea, which is to offer peer support to women in recovery from addiction.
“(It will be) a living room atmosphere drop-in centre where women who are ready to investigate whether or not they have drug or alcohol problems can meet up with other women who have already established these things for themselves... and are making themselves available to others,” said founder Janice King, who has 38 years experience providing services to women.
The centre is to be a sister facility to Avalon Women’s Drop-in Centres in Vancouver and the North Shore, where King’s friends have served as directors.
“They approached me and asked if I thought if White Rock had sufficient numbers of women in recovery to host or sponsor a similar facility.”
King said she is aware of a “tremendous need” for a local setting where women in distress – including mothers and seniors – can interact with peers who have dealt with similar issues.
While the Vancouver and North Shore centres have proven successful – recording 22,000 visits between the two of them last year – they are not easily accessible to women south of the Fraser, King added.
A Peninsula location is currently being sought for Avalon by the Sea, which has been in the works since 2008 and now has a board of directors, fundraising committee and volunteers.
“We’re continually searching for people to act as peers,” she said. “We’re trying to create an open door where other people seeking recovery will have a place to go, ask questions, get literature and meet some other people who know their way around the recovery community.”
King said the project is now in the “fundraising phase,” and next month’s kick-off fundraiser is meant to serve two purposes.
“One is to raise funds and the second is to get our information out in the community.”
The event is to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kwomais Lodge, 1367 128 St., and feature a fashion show with clothes from local businesses.
Tickets ($50) available by calling Janice at 604-531-8201 or Melissa at 778-895-4896.