Two performances and a raft of donated silent auction items raised $15,000 for a womenB次元官网网址檚 abuse counselling program on the West Shore.

LangfordB次元官网网址檚 inaugural Vagina Monologues project found broad support in the community in terms of volunteers, donations and attendance. The event well surpassed the aim of raising $10,000.

B次元官网网址淚t was a complete community effort and extraordinary silent auction support,B次元官网网址� said Jennifer Harrison, one of the event producers. The monologues drew about 450 people over two nights at Isabelle Reader Theatre in Langford at the end of March.

Of the $15,000, more than $12,000 will go towards funding the Stopping the Violence, an overextended counselling program for abused women offered at Pacific Centre Family Services in Colwood.

The single counsellor at the centre sees about 60 women per year, and more are on a waiting list. The Pacific Centre fundraises through the year to subsidize group and individual counselling.

B次元官网网址淭here is not just financial benefit, there is also the awareness side,B次元官网网址� Harrison said. B次元官网网址淪o many people found out about the program. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a better awareness that it exists on a tiny budget and needs to be supported.B次元官网网址�

Specifically, the money will fund weekly drop-in group counselling for abused women, the only program of its kind in the Capital Region. The program costs $16,000 to $18,000 per year to run.

About eight to 12 women attend each week, and up to 60 over a year. Many will enter the group while waiting for an individual counsellor to become available.

B次元官网网址淭his is an open group for women in the community. They may be in an abusive relationship, they may have left an abusive relationship,B次元官网网址� said Mitzi Dean, executive director for Pacific Centre and a performer in the monologues. B次元官网网址淪ome women are in the group and individual counselling. It adds value and helps them build relationships with other women.

B次元官网网址淪ome have been in domestic violence situations for 20 years. Some are young moms. ItB次元官网网址檚 a diverse group. What weB次元官网网址檇 like to see is women empowered and establishing an informal network in the community.B次元官网网址�

Dean said she was proud to be involved and proud of the West Shore community for supporting the cause.

"So many men and women stepped up to support the issue and fundraising," she said. "(The fundraising) is so much more than we expected. I'm so proud of our community."

Co-producer Neely Hourigan said the actresses who read Eve EnslerB次元官网网址檚 monologues, all inexperienced volunteers at the start, came off as seasoned pros.

B次元官网网址淭hey made the stories their stories. The audience thought they were professional actresses,B次元官网网址� said Hourigan, who has helped produce a number of Vagina Monologues performances in Victoria. The first time Hourigan saw a production of the monologues, she was compelled to get involved.

B次元官网网址淲hen they asked how many women are affected by violence, 90 per cent stood up,B次元官网网址� said Hourigan, a Metchosin resident. B次元官网网址淭o see that visual was astounding.B次元官网网址�

The show may be over but organizers want to keep the message and fundraising alive, and are seeking ideas from the community.

B次元官网网址淲e want to keep up the momentum, we need to keep the message going until violence against women ends,B次元官网网址� Harrison said.

To contact the West Shore V-Day organizers, email vdaylangford@gmail.com or see .