On Tuesday, April 10th we were joined by Cathy Watts from "1 in 4". Cathy lived in Dundas for 18 years and now resides in Copetown. She is a survivor of domestic abuse. The organization, 1infour.ca, supports women who have experienced domestic abuse. Cathy is a quality support nurse at McMaster University. When she had to leave her home due to domestic violence she spent time at Inasmuch House and at Interval House of Hamilton with her children. The abuse affected her emotionally and for several years she could not work and thus was on Ontario Works. She is now back working at McMaster.
She said the support she received from Interval House of Hamilton was excellent -both in counselling and advocacy services for women and the IHOH Child Youth Program which helped her son deal with his anger. She also attended Sage Camp run by Good Shepherd. The 1 in 4 website hosts blogs with the personal stories of domestic abuse survivors and lists local support services available to women. The organization was founded in 2012 and they have applied for charitable status. Through McMaster University, they have taken part in research projects with St. Michael’s Hospital and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto around post traumatic stress and narrative exposure therapy.
The club was pleased to present financial support to both Interval House and 1 in 4.
