My team
My team
Vancouver Association for the Survivors of Torture (VAST)
Total raised: $4,048.00
Goal: $10,000.00
Visit team pageMy Story…
It's ScotiaBank Charity Challenge time again! And like last year, the 2021 run/walk is 'virtual' - meaning I'll still walk/waddle/jog/run/squaredance my way to 21k but there's no single event/race day.
However I get to that magical half marathon distance, the general idea is the same: To raise funds to support the work of the Vancouver Association for the Survivors of Torture.
Last year, I climbed a mountain to get to 21k, and while this year will look a little different (baby steps and all!), the goal is to help VAST on their way to $10k raised.
Providing essential services in a pandemic
Donations help support the non-profit's essential services for Refugee and immigrant mental health. VAST made an impressive pivot last year to continue providing essential services online, and to continue helping survivors to build strong and resilient communities.
It's been a struggle, but I've witnessed with admiration, gratitude, and pride how the staff and volunteer team, which is largely comprised of Refugees and immigrants, has demonstrated resourcefulness, kindness, care, and creativity to continue supporting clients through the pandemic. What better example of the resilience, tenacity, and courage of the newcomer community!
What will your donation do?
Your donation makes a real difference in the lives of survivors of torture and trauma. It helps to fund individual counselling sessions, group therapy, and all the incredible work done by the staff and volunteers at VAST to raise awareness of and advocate for an end to torture and to provide greater support for survivors of torture.
Want to know more about VAST? Thinking about volunteering or joining the board? Send me an email at L.Matthews@vast-vancouver.ca. I'll be stepping away from the board this spring after nearly 4 years but I'm happy to put you in touch with the right folks and answer any questions I can.
Thank you for being a donor. It means a lot to have your support for VAST and their wonderful, strong, resilient clients who are now part of this amazing Canadian family.
- L
Description
Donate to VAST and make a real difference in the life of a survivor of torture and trauma. VAST provides individual counselling sessions, group therapy, an outdoor healing program, specific support for LGBTQ+ Refugees and immigrants, and works tirelessly to raise awareness of and advocate for an end to torture worldwide.
In 2020, VAST had to quickly pivot to maintain essential supports for Refugee mental health. The organisation has consistently provided online services to continue helping survivors to build strong and resilient communities. It's been a struggle, but the staff and volunteer team, largely comprised of Refugees and immigrants, has done exemplary work to keep supporting clients through the pandemic, showing the resilience, tenacity, and courage of the newcomer community.
This is why I'm taking part in this year's ScotiaBank Charity Challenge. Help me reach my fundraising goal and support VAST in supporting Refugee mental health.
Thank you to everyone who becomes a donor. It means a lot to the team at VAST and the incredible newcomers who are now part of this amazing Canadian family.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17 | emily spence | $25.00 |
| Jun 17 | Suz & Paul | $100.00 |
| Jun 15 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| Jun 15 | Brittany Duggan | $50.00 |
| Jun 14 | Alicia LaValle | $25.00 |
| May 06 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| Apr 30 | Anonymous | $25.00 |
| Apr 29 | Emma | Undisclosed amount |
| Apr 29 | Atma Frans | $25.00 |
| Apr 28 | Mark Cameron | $20.00 |
