'Disrupting the Stigma' The Today Centre's 3rd Annual Help Today, Hope Tomorrow Fundraising Breakfast

On November 23, The Today Centre hosted our 3rd Annual Help Today, Hope Tomorrow Fundraising Breakfast at Delta Hotels by Marriott Edmonton Centre Suites. The theme for this year’s breakfast was ‘Disrupting the Stigma’, focusing on how we can and why we should, disrupt our perceptions and assumptions about the realities of what it looks like to be a victim-survivor of family violence, especially after leaving the situation.

Why ‘Disrupting the Stigma’?

Stigma. It’s an ugly word, especially for victims and survivors of family violence. Stigma associated with family violence often establishes negative and unfounded societal beliefs that can deter those who need help from seeking assistance and supports to finding safety and moving forward. 

That’s why this year’s theme is ‘Disrupting the Stigma’. We want to focus on how we can, and why we should, disrupt our perceptions and assumptions about the realities of what it looks like to be a victim-survivor of family violence, especially after leaving the situation.

To help us gain a better understanding of this topic, we hosted two focus groups- one group comprising of past victims-survivors of family violence and the other group comprised of individuals who have never experienced family violence (personally or through a loved one’s struggle) but wanted to do their part in dispelling the stigma and myths surrounding it. Each focus group was held separately but focused around similar questions relating to how victims and survivors feel stigmatized and in what ways those with no experience have already, or should have, responded to their struggle.

The results of the focus groups were encouraging. By correlating the insights and viewpoints we gathered from each, we were able to gain a better understanding of how we, as a whole society, can move closer to a place of comprehension, compassion, and awareness of family violence and in turn, perhaps provide the acknowledgement and validation those experiencing it deserve.

Deena Kordt - Our Keynote Speaker

Our keynote speaker, Deena Kordt owner and publisher of Life Changes Magazine and Divorce Magazine Canada, led our guests in a few reflective ‘imaginative’ scenarios in which they were invited to consider the experiences of those impacted by family violence. Speaking from her own experience as a survivor (victor) of abuse, these scenarios touched on what many might not think of as abuse, how isolating family violence can be, and the ways those in our community can support, uplift, and encourage those experiencing family violence. Guests were invited to continue the conversation in their own social circles and to bring about meaningful change by advocating on the issue.

Guests were welcomed to the hotel by our incredible volunteers who helped them find their name tags, get settled in their seats, and ensure they were entered into our door prize draw, featuring some amazing door prizes donated by Edmonton International Airport, Specsavers Kingsway, and Deena Kordt.

A delicious eggs benedict with smashed potatoes was served alongside fresh fruit and choice between apple or orange juice, while guests were introduced to The Today Centre by our emcee and Board Director Jayson Chakkalakal and our Executive Director, Cindy Furlong.

Donna Lynne Erickson, our feature comedian

Jayson Chakkalakal, a Today Centre board director and our emcee for the morning

We also had Ford Canada present to encourage guests to sign up to test drive one of Ford’s new electric vehicles. From each test drive, Ford donated $20 to The Today Centre in support of our ‘Safety in Motion’ program, which provides clients with bus or LRT tickets, gas cards, or cab fares for transportation to and from services. Together, we raised $440 in support of this program thanks to our incredible guests who signed up!

Donna Lynne Erickson, our feature comedian, shared some hilarious laughs with us as she shared her experiences in growing older, finding toilet paper stuck to your dress, and discovering sags in new places. We are so grateful to have had her join us for the morning and leave each of our guests with a positive impression and feeling to take with them into their days.

As a part of our fundraising efforts, we also hosted an amazing 6-item silent auction with some high-end and tasty items like hot chocolate bombs, coffee, gift certificates, gym memberships, and more! Our silent auction brought in $1100 in support of The Today Centre’s programs and services! Here’s a recap of our fantastic packages:

The Ford Canada team

  • Ultimate Edmonton Sports Fan Experience Package with donations by the Edmonton Elks, Riverhawks, Oilers, and Stingers for some fan experiences, tickets to games, and merch!

  • Edmonton Staycation Experience Package with donations by Campio Brewing Co, Delta Hotels by Marriott Edmonton Centre Suites, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, and Alberta Business Loans featuring a night stay, a spa gift card, comedy tickets, and dinner out!

  • Food Treat Package with donations by Bliss Baked Goods, Good Neighbour Coffee Roasters, Bountiful Farmers’ Market, SugarBaby, and Choclination featuring a giant hot chocolate bomb, coffee, a gift certificate to the best donuts in Edmonton, and a gift card to shopping local businesses!

  • Exquisite Taste & Jewelry Package with donations by Elevated Artistries, Paper Birch Books, Jack59, and Iava Wellness featuring a spa gift certificate, a tote bag, some hair care products, and some beautiful floral pressed jewelry!

  • For You Self-Care Package donated by Embody Her Coaching featuring numerous self-care items, a year’s gym membership, skincare products, perfume, gift cards, Starbuck’s, massage, and more!

  • A Family Law Consultation donated by Brown Law Group!

Our Exquisite Taste & Jewelry Package

Our Foodie Treat Package

Our supporters

Our Parking Partner, Preferred Client Bookkeeping

One of two tables of EPS members!

We thank each and every one of our incredible partners, both financial and in-kind, for helping make our event a success! We could not do it without your continued support and your generosity in sharing your gifts, time, energy, and talents with us! With heartfelt thanks, we appreciate you and all that you do for The Today Centre, we could not do it without you!

A special thank you to our financial partners:

A special thank you to our in-kind partners:

A special thank you also to our community partners and supporters who purchased tables to attend!

Our volunteers

Thank you also to our incredible volunteers who helped make this event run smoothly! Whether that was from greeting guests, stepping in as table ambassadors, or exercising their creative side in making our centerpieces, we are so grateful for each and every one of them! Their time, energy, and continued commitment do not go unnoticed and we are so proud to have such a wonderful group of people to have behind the scenes ensuring every detail is executed! Thank you!

And finally, thank you to each of our guests who took time out of their morning to come, listen, and learn, and to continue the conversation surrounding ‘disrupting the stigma’ forward to create meaningful change in our communities! Without our guests, we wouldn’t have an event to host and for that, we are so touched!

Communications SpecialistBreakfast, HTHT, Family Violence Awareness, Family Violence Prevention, Domestic Violence Awareness, Domestic Violence Prevention, Awareness, Family Violence Resource, Support