FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why a Center just for Women of Colour?

As women of Colour we have experiences that contribute to our unique view of the world. We share the common experience of being women in a society that denigrates women of African, Asian and South American descent. One core theme is a legacy of struggle. We are vulnerable to discrimination and assaults in the workplace due to our race, as well as in the streets and the home.

This commonality of experience suggests that certain characteristics will be prominent in Women of Colour's lives. There is definitely a women of Colour, feminist perspective which is what the Center for Women of Colour honours.

Before I came to the CWC, I attended all sorts of counselling sessions and I used to daydream about the day I could go back to my husband... I would say to myself, “what do they know?They don't belong to my world and I am not going to listen to them just because they went to school. They don't know us. When I found the CWC, I had no excuse to not start the healing process. These were my sisters, who had lived my life and they had made it. So could I.” Survivor and now psycho social agent in training.

What is Afro centric counselling?

Afrocentric counselling comes from black psychology. Black psychology is a system of knowledge (philosophy, definitions, concepts, models, procedures and practices) concerning the nature of the universe from the perspective of African cosmology.

Afrocentric counselling insists that the counsellors of women who have been abused must not only be trained as counsellors but should be survivors of abuse themselves. Counselling sessions are a discussion of experiences and coping methods between the counsellor and her client.

This is where the “I am because we are” takes precedence.

“My counsellor has lived in a refugee camp. She was also picked by soldiers at night who were supposed to keep us safe and was violated by them. Our counselling sessions are about sharing. The difference is that she has walked the distance and has come back to get me.” Survivor.

Since I am not an African or of African descent, how do I benefit from the Center?

Although the Center for Women of Colour leans on Afro centric counselling, it acknowledges that not all women of colour hail from the African continent. They also come from South America, India and the Middle East. All these regions also have culturally centered points of view. That is why, among the Center's counsellors are psycho social agents from these communities.

The psycho social agents from South America, India and the Middle East encompass their cultural views which are a part of the Center for Women of Colour.

Women of Colour have more in common than not. Everyday, we learn from one another.

"I was so happy to find the Center for Women of Colour and to take training with them. There is so much abuse in my community and the women are afraid of coming out because of different cultures. So, getting the training and going back to my community ahd using the sensitivity of my culture to reach these women is wonderful." psycho social agent."

What makes your organization different from those that are not Afro Centric?

We have been there. We have walked in your shoes. We know your horror because it is ours. We also know your strength, your resilience, your desire to not only survive but thrive because that is what we all want. It is what we are doing.

We know that together, we will make it. We can do it.

We are not just consellors, we are the missing link in a wonderful system that was put into place to help you. We will help you make sense of all of it, because we did.

How can I get involved?

The CWC is always looking for volunteers for we require many different skills. We welcome women from all walks of society to come and work with us.

How do I make a referral?

Although you can contact us by email, cwomenofcolour@gmail.com, it is much faster to make referrals via our office telephone number, 905 522 3233. That way, you will be insured of prompt service which women in need deserve.

I want to help raise awareness on issues affecting women of Colour in Canada.

Invite us to speak at your functions. Send us your name and we will keep you informed of the activities of the CWC.

Does CWC have offices in my area?

At the moment the CWC only has offices in Hamilton, Ontario.

“When you carry what we carry within us, you will understand why we need each other. We are so far away from everything we know. Every day is a struggle against racism, gender bias and worse. It is good to have a haven in Canada. At the CWC I am learning to thrive.” Survivor.

I am trying to make a donation but I can't find your address on the website.

For the safety of our counsellors and clients, we do not put our address on the website. You can however, call us at 905 522 3233 or email us at cwomenofcolour@gmail.com and we will be able to give all the details you require.

How do I request training from the CWC?

You can request training from us by contacting us at cwomenofcolour@gmail.com as well as using our telephone number 905 522 3233. From time to time, we will have training schedules on our website. Please take some time to check it from time to time.

“It is not easy to come to the CWC. At first you wonder who could possibly understand that you and your daughter were raped in front of your husband and sons. After they raped you, they killed your daughter and left you lying there. It is not easy to talk about. In fact, one doesn't want to talk about it. But I came to the CWC and I have stayed, because every day, planes land in Canada with women just like me. They need me. I am waiting just as my sisters at CWC waited for me.” Survivor and counsellor in training.

Can I interview a survivor?

Interviewing a survivor is not possible. If you would like to interview staff however, please call at 905 522 3233 or email cwomenofcolour@gmail.com