SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - If you live in the East Prince area and need to talk about an unhealthy family-life situation, Lee Anne Farrar and Carly Levy are there to help.
Farrar, who is the office’s outreach co-ordinator, and Levy, administrative support, operate East Prince Family Violence Prevention Services out of their Summerside office.
Both women are relatively new to their positions, and the organization’s offices recently moved from Water Street to the HQ Building at 263 Heather Moyse Drive.
Farrar is also accredited to offer some services that have not been available at East Prince Family Violence Prevention Services in the past. As such, they’re looking to reconnect with the community.
“We just want people to know that we’re here, who we are and that we’re available for anyone who needs us,” said Levy.
At a glance
Following are the Family Violence Prevention Week activities in Summerside, Feb. 11-17:
- Feb. 10: Yoga for Peace event at Danspiration Studio at 293 Water St., Suite 1. Participants are encouraged to wear purple
- Feb. 12: Open house at the new East Prince Family Violence Prevention Offices at 263 Heather Moyse Dr., Suite 9, 2-4 p.m.
- Feb. 14: All members of the community are asked to wear purple to help support Family Violence Prevention Week
- Feb. 14: A Walk in Silence event to support victims of family violence. The short walk is starting at Summerside City Hall at 275 Fitzroy St.
There are a number of services offered by the organization, including emergency shelter for women, support groups for women, counselling, survivor support groups, parenting support services and community outreach with schools and other organizations.
Collectively the Family Violence Prevention Services offices on the Island directly helped 291 women in 2016, and various levels of supportive contact with more than 4,000 more.
Farrar and Levy work closely with Victim Services and Child Protection Services and many of their clients are referred from them, but clients can also reach out independently to access services.
It’s an emotionally difficult job, but it can be very rewarding, said Farrar.
“It’s a really difficult decision for a women to decide that they’re going to leave that relationship,” she added.
“So, actually coming out and saying that there is a problem and looking for support is a really big effort on their part. So, whenever they do give me a call, I try to make it as easy as possible for them to feel comfortable and know there is support here.”
Because there have been so many changes with the organization locally, Farrar and Levy are hosting an open house next week, which coincides with a slate of activities to help mark Family Violence Prevention Week, which is Feb. 11-17.
The open house is Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m. The office is in Suite 9 of the HQ Building.
