BKonthescene

By Sally W.

Thursday, October 4th was a very special evening at the Liberty Grand, CNE Grounds Toronto.  It was the 6th Annual Healing the Voice Within Fundraiser to support The Gatehouse. ‘A one of kind gala that gives space and healing to survivors of childhood sexual abuse.’ It was held in the Liberty Grand in the Artifacts room to the left of the entrance. The room was beautifully decorated and was welcoming to all guests.

Tables with a wide selection of silent auction items were on display including beautiful artwork. The theme of the evening was the 70s. Some people had fun dressing the part! Two artists, one of them,Tina Newlove, a local artist, were doing live art on huge canvases during the event and then their work was auctioned off. The MC for the evening was the eloquent Michelle Dube, Anchor CTV News Toronto.  Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow arrived in a beautiful yellow outfit welcomed everyone and mingled with guests, spending time speaking to those who wished.  Lisa Crooker, Superintendent Toronto Police Service who is Co-Chair, Board of Directors, The Gatehouse was the Key Note Speaker. Lisa Crooker spoke candidly and with emotion about her childhood sexual abuse in her own family home. She shared how she had kept this secret for many years, as many abused children and people do, and the need and importance of The Gatehouse. 

After the talks was a Live Auction by Ryan sponsored by Corporate Assets. Auction items such as Air Canada flights, artwork, and other items raised lots of funds for The Gatehouse.  Throughout the evening guests enjoyed hors-d’oeuvre and a drink from the bar. Later the dinner buffet was available with delicious salad items, sliders with different meats, delicious meat dish with rice, a pasta bar and a dessert table with a selection of treats. All very good.  Among the guests were Humber College students in the police program. The Police were also guests attending the event. It was a really nice evening supporting an excellent cause which is very much needed in the community.  For more information  https://thegatehouse.org/ 

Below is a list with the purposes of The Gatehouse. 

 What is the Gatehouse?  The Gatehouse is an organization whose Vision: A future where those impacted by childhood sexual abuse can heal and reclaim their voices.

Mission: To provide support, community, and resources for individuals impacted by childhood sexual abuse. Values: Collaborative Community Partnerships: Emphasize the importance of collaboration and partnerships at local,national, and international levels to enhance service capacity and effectiveness.

Support and Outreach: Committed to providing a wide range of both formal and informal support systems to those impacted by childhood sexual abuse.

Safety and Inclusivity: Prioritize creating a safe, inclusive, and healing environment for survivors, ensuring that their well-being is at the forefront of our efforts.   Child-Centric Approach: Advocate for child-friendly resources and environments that enable effective communication for those involved in reporting and investigating child abuse. Peer Empowerment: Believe in the power of peer support programs, fostering community connections that empower survivors through shared experiences and resources.

Accessibility of Services: Dedicated to providing web-enabled strategies that enhance access to our services and support for all individuals and families.

Community Engagement: Strive to mobilize community strengths and skills, fostering a culture of collaboration and volunteerism that enriches our collective impact. Volunteer Recognition and Development: Value and celebrate the contributions of our volunteers, investing in their growth and leadership to amplify our mission.  Transformative Social Change: Committed to working with partners to promote transformative social change, addressing the root causes of childhood sexual abuse. Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: Prioritize sharing evidence-based best practices and creating opportunities for knowledge transfer, ensuring that our approaches are informed and effective.

Educational Growth: Support experiential learning opportunities for students, fostering the next generation of advocates and professionals in the field.

By adhering to these values, The Gatehouse aims to create a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of survivors and the broader community.

 “It’s so hard to convey what the Gatehouse is and what happens there. It’s a place where everyone’s voice can be heard. It sounds so simple, and maybe that’s the beauty of the programs and people at the Gatehouse; when your voice gets heard, you can begin to heal.’ – Adult Program Participant