On Monday (Dec. 11), 100 Women Who Care Foothills presented their final donation of the year.

The group presented a cheque for $9,600 to the Rowan House Society for their Preventative Education Program.

Four times a year, members of Women Who Care Foothills each contribute $100 which is pooled and donated to a local non-profit organization.

Organizations are selected via nomination by group members, who make presentations to fellow members, with the group then voting to decide on the recipient of the next donation.

Rowan House's Executive Director Linette Soldan, who is also a 100 Women member, nominated Rowan House this time around.

She made the presentation in November, during Family Violence Prevention Month.

"What a wonderful energy, to have a bunch of strong, passionate women who are wanting to make a difference in the community," says Soldan. "One thing I will say, lots of heart and soul in that group. Wanting to support local communities and build upon them in the community to make sure that the community was getting the support that was needed and required."

The Preventative Education Program aims to break the cycle of abuse through outreach to community members of all ages.

Part of the program involves presentations at local schools.

"Our focus is for grade 2s, 5s, 8s, and 11s. We provide information on empathy, kindness, what is a bully, as well as what is a healthy relationship and what isn't a healthy relationship and how we can make relationships safer," says Soldan.

Referencing a 2020 report from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Soldan says the importance of preventative education in schools is clear.

"40 per cent of grade 10 girls and 32 per cent of grade 10 boys report being victimized in their dating relationships. In the same study, 20 per cent of girls and 17 per cent of boys reported being cyber-victimized by their dating partner. Meanwhile, youth who do experience dating violence are up to two times more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence later in life. It really shows the importance of prevention work."

The program also includes Healthy Relationship Groups for women aged 18 and older, held in Okotoks and High River.

Soldan says this funding will largely contribute to the continuation of the program heading into a new year.

"Each year we have to actively fundraise to make sure the program continues and as we look at starting our new fiscal year, which is April 1, we really wanted to make sure that we have the funds to continue with our programming moving forward."

Rowan House's most recent annual report, spanning from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, shows significant growth for their Preventative Education Program.

They made 143 presentations, an increase of 150 per cent from the year prior, to a total of 4,935 students, which was a 265 per cent increase.

This was 100 Women Foothills' third donation to Rowan House, with others having been given in 2016 and 2022.

Soldan says the group is an invaluable source of good in the community.

"Something that I've found is really powerful, from the meetings I've attended, is learning and growing from each other. I thought that was amazing, how a collective group can make such a difference to so many people... There are always wonderful conversations, wonderful questions. Wanting to make a difference and providing that support, you can just feel it in the room."

More information on the Rowan House Society and their Preventative Education Program can be seen on their website.

Information on 100 Women Who Care, including past donations and how to join, can be seen on their website.

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