By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
As part of November being Women’s Abuse Prevention Month, Hiatus House invited community members to participate in a 3.5k walkathon around the pathway at the Harrow Soccer Complex in memory of Carly (41), Madison (13), and Hunter (eight) Stannard-Walsh, who passed away due to a case of intimate partner violence in June.
Donations collected through the event will support Hiatus House and its transitional housing project, where a unit will be named in their honor.
Sylvie Guenther, Executive Director of Hiatus House, thanked all those who attended the Stannard-Walsh walk-a-thon.
“We should not have to be here. Any femicide is one too many,” she said. “As we walk today, let’s remember – and go forward talking about – the issue of violence towards women and femicide, so that we can make sure there are none ever again.”
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley attended the event. So did Essex MPP Anthony Leardi.
“This is a special place,” Bondy said of the Harrow Soccer Complex. “The reason why we came back to this place is because Carly and her children spent a lot of time [here]. The soccer park meant a lot to her. So, it is only fitting we come back here and come together again to raise money for a [unit in a] brick-and-mortar building that will be in memory of them, so that we can hopefully prevent anything like this from happening again.”
A vigil was held for the family at the Harrow Soccer Complex shortly after the incident occurred. Bondy thanked Hiatus House for all it does year-round, ensuring individuals have a safe place to go when they need it.
Mary Stannard, Carly’s mother, spoke at the walk-a-thon. She thanked everyone for participating in the event, and those who organized it.
“It is vital that women in an abusive relationship realize how unsafe and even dangerous it is to stay in that kind of relationship,” she said. “Hopefully, Carly, Maddy, and Hunter’s story will help that realization.”
She noted the funds raised that day will go towards building a safe haven for abused women and children.
Maggie Durocher, Coordinator of Fundraising and Development, noted Hiatus House is working to build a $22M transitional housing apartment complex – a place to heal – that will have 40 units with either one to three bedrooms. It will be located across the street from the shelter in Windsor.
Those who utilize the Hiatus House emergency shelter can stay there for six to eight weeks, but need to move on after that time to allow space for others who need access to the program, Durocher explained. This transitional facility will offer housing for individuals coming out of the shelter, and will keep them connected to a nurse practitioner clinic and other services, like ones that can help with finding employment.
It will provide for safe and affordable living, where women and their families can live independently with their children before moving into permanent housing, information on the project website notes.
Durocher noted individuals will be able to utilize the transitional housing program for up to two-years.
The first rendering of the architectural design has been completed to date, with hopes to have the facility built in 2027.Those interested can visit https://hiatushouse.com/transitional-housing-project/ to learn more or make a donation.
Though it was not known how much the walkathon on Saturday raised, Durocher was sure the $10,000 goal to name a unit in the transitional housing building after Carly, Madison, and Hunter was exceeded.
Durocher noted nearly every municipality in Ontario – including the Town of Essex and County of Essex – has declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in support of requesting the provincial government pass a bill recognizing the same.
Those who may be in a situation and may want to seek advice can call the Hiatus House 24/7 crisis line at 519-252-7781 or 800-265-5142 to speak with a counsellor.
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