BUISINESS PLAN FOR WOMEN FOCUSED PROGRAMS - feel free to use as a template

BUISINESS PLAN FOR WOMEN FOCUSED PROGRAMS By Silva Redigonda, Dated Executive Summary Women based programs will be implemented in partnership with female , staff and of …………community. Security needs and concerns will be examined to implement the empowerment of women by taking ownership of their security concerns. Mission Women of the community perceive ……… as a safe environment by addressing their concerns and ...... providing information to incorporate such perception. OUR KEYS TO SUCCESS Women issues will be addressed by considering and implementing the following: Continue being an active member of the ………. which has included ……. in the past Continue Women For Women where women receive information regarding ………department’s policies, referrals to other departments to deal with their specific concerns and reading material for women in a male free safe environment Proposal for a sexual assault course in conjunction with the ……… Networking with ………….. to determine what the concerns are and initiate programs to meet the demand ACTION PLAN There are two programs in effect, the ………..which I have been asked to stop being a participant upon approval of continuation and Women For Women which has never been offered full support in advertisement. It is proposed that Women for Women continue for another year where it will be afforded its due to succeed. A proposal for a sexual assault course will be forwarded for consideration. Networking has been an ongoing process. I have been and wish to continue being a representative from the ………. for meetings such as sexual assault response, women and safety and women’s s…….. committee. I have also been liaison in general for specific groups such as………………………. etc…where though many concerns have been about women this has not been exclusive. PERSONNEL Silva Redigonda with the assistance ………………… will be responsible for the establishment and maintaining of women based programs. Such programs such as the sexual assault course will be open to both men and women as will be the co-ordinators. Silva Redigonda will continue to act as ........ when timing permits. COST Cost is negotiable. There are women focused groups that will assist with cost if required. Women For Women beverages/ desserts will cost $71.88 weekly. Poster costs and handouts are approximately $500. Courses required will depend on the type, timing and available resources. Estimate is determined at $5000.

The Survival of the Weakest - Essay (English)

THE SURVIVAL OF WEAKEST: THE OLDER WOMAN BY: Silva Redigonda SURVIVAL OF THE WEAKEST: THE OLDER WOMAN Women have survived patriarchy and at what expense? In today’s society, at least in our society, women are educated, have careers, and have the freedom to be a free spirit on equal par with men. Does this have a false note? Perhaps, and perhaps women are no longer considered the weakest link to men. Perhaps, independent living taken for granted by the majority of people is not more restrictive to the older woman. The Older Women's Network identified poverty, housing and community among the needs of older women. The Stone Angel and The Book of Eve are texts illustrating and exploring how an older woman's life is forced into poverty, and how desperately she seeks her identity within her home and community. This is captured in each respective quest as the women escape from their homes in search of their independence and selves. What will be argued is that the older woman suffers poverty and that Housing and Community needs are less than adequate and are not affordable. THE FACE OF POVERTY – THE ESCAPE Older women have been identified as being among the poorest in Canada and getting poorer (Older Women’s Network, pg 11). Beresford-Howe illustrates the fall into poverty when Eva escapes from her husband after forty years of marriage. This escape includes leaving behind the comfort of a middle class environment and its’ possessions. Sadly, the reason for the delay in leaving her husband is simply the need to wait for her first pension check at the age of sixty-five. The following day she escapes. This small pension will offer her the independence she needs but also keeps her living with less than the bare necessities. Sadly, this woman after teaching for fifteen years, and taking her School Board pension in a lump sum, as a downpayment for her mortgage, has no legal claim to her house. Quebec law releases her husband of any responsibility when she chooses to live independently from him (Beresford-Howe, pgs 13 and 27). “You know those days a woman had no property in Quebec, could have no separate bank account…(Beresford-Howe pg 135). The Stone Angel depicts Hagar wanting to keep her house only to learn that it is now considered her son’s property. She had signed the house to him when he took over her business affairs. What she thought of as convenience at the time is now the reality that the house is no longer hers and that her son, Marvin wants to sell her home. Her bank account is also in his name (Laurence, pg 139). Feeling completely dependent without any resources, she too like Eva, runs away with her unsigned pension check and cashes it (Laurence, pg 145). How do these women manage? Eva describes her poverty, “…Have to renew the pressure pills, which leaves so little of my dwindling cash that I don’t buy so much as a toothpick…” (Beresford-Howe, pg 23). Eva realizes how she looks to others after trying to live on a meager pension,” I looked so different now. Just how different, those dark and startled eyes told me plainly enough” (Beresford-Howe, pg 87). “People slide curious eyes at me. Am I talking out loud?… (Beresford-Howe 148). “…they all averted their eyes and hurried past us weirdly drop-outs” Beresford-Howe (pg 180). “But you look so poor”, blurts her niece.” (pg 89) When Hagar escapes, she relishes her freedom. Hagar treats herself with small amounts of her favorite food, learning instantly that the cost for the few items she has bought is surprisingly high (Laurence, pg 148). Hagar finds joy with her new found independence, “I’m not weary at all, nor heavy laden. I could sing” (Laurence, pg 151). But quickly she finds herself desolate as she settles in an abandoned house, “My window has a broken pane, and the rain is slanting in. I realize that I am shivering…I’m terribly cold now, lying upon this lumpy mattress that reeks of mold and damp (Laurence, pg 161). Poverty in exchange for independence is what faces these two women. Eve is basically healthy to deal with and manage her poverty but Hagar, over ninety, is too frail and sick to deal with her homelessness. The Older Women’s Network relates startling figures regarding the average income for women over age 55 in Canada. In 1990 the average income was $17,525. This declined to $17,122, five years later (pg 12). Is this sufficient income for women? Is this sufficient income for anyone in Canada? How does one substantiate decreases with the high cost of living expenses rising each year? Statistics Canada, indicates that women over age 55 having an annual income of $14,999 or below (Older Women’s Network, pg 13) – survival of the weakest. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY The Older Women’s Network identifies that, “one of the most important needs of older women is for adequate and affordable housing located in a community and neighbourhood where they feel at home” (pgs iv, 28). Eva manages to find an apartment in an area of town, less than desirable, while Hagar would rather face homelessness than entry into an old age home. The authors explore the ramifications for older women. Eva describes her apartment as a “hole” (Beresford-Howe, pg 7). But regardless, she also feels that her new residence is her “empire.” (Beresford-Howe, pg 8). Perhaps the move from a middle class community to this “hole” may be the only affordable housing for her but what cannot be ignored and equally important was her lacking sense of community within her life with Burt. She found herself living “mechanically together” with Burt, sharing a roof, a name, a son…(Beresford-Howe, pg 78). She found herself to be a stranger even to her neighbour Janet Gordon who anxiously criticizes her with make believe tales of her disappearance (Beresford-Howe, pg 20). Though poor after her escape, she manages to make her apartment home with things she scavenges such as a plant disposed in the garbage (Beresford-Howe, pg 58). She finds her new life, ”private and satisfying” (Beresford-Howe, pg 58). But, she also falls victim to a deep depression. There is no community center or resources mentioned in the text which can aid Eva or assist her with her transition. Eventually she finds in her community a mate with Johnny Horvath, who re-awakens her sexuality (Beresford-Howe pg 125), and neighbours she makes time for including a young child, Jean-Paul Leblanc and his family, as well as Mrs Cooper (Beresford-Howe, pgs 172,192, and 205). Her old wise Tom Cat is also very much a part of her life as he watches her through the window and graduates to moving into the house (Beresford-Howe, pg 62). Eva has succeeded in making her home adequate for herself though by limited means and much below the level she was accustomed to. What truly enhances her life is her sense of community as she discovers herself. Hagar’s community consists of her family, doctors and the boring minister, Mr Troy, all who seem to want her in a nursing home. Though Hagar is not religious, she is forced to endure Mr Troy (Laurence, pg 117-119). It is not until she runs away that she has a lengthy conversation with someone on her own accord, Murray Lees, “His strangeness interests me and I wonder how I could have thought him a bore.” (Laurence, pg 230) Both share their grief regarding their losses and Hagar is surprised regarding their exchanges, “I’m not sorry I’ve talked to him, not sorry at all, and that’s remarkable… (Laurence, pg 245). She shares much needed laughter with Sandra Wong her roommate in the hospital after being caught by a nurse helping her to the bathroom. “Convulsed with our paining laughter, we bellow and wheeze” (Laurence, pg 302). Hagar appears much more content with her exchange of conversations with people who are not thrust upon her by her family. In this small way she not only gains a sense of community but also a sense of self. The Older Women’s Network found that the “one thing the older women …do not want is to move into a retirement home or senior’s residence…” (pg 32). Most of the reasons found had to do with their independence, privacy and need to continue living in a familiar space. Hagar though very ill and dying is still furiously independent in her mannerism, speech and behaviour as was illustrated by her escape. Hagar considers that perhaps her house is not truly home but it is hers and “familiar.” Hagar is horrified at the idea of leaving familiar grounds for a nursing home, “If you make me go there, you’re only signing my death warrant…How can I leave my house, my things…?.” This need for familiar space is again stressed by Hagar, “How can I leave my house? I don’t want to leave my house and all my things” (Beresford-Howe, pg 119). Hagar wonders what her rights are, “Can I obtain legal advice against a son? How would I go about it?” (Laurence, pg 76). She is unaware of any community services that may assist her. The Older Women’s Network identifies the lack of information that is available to older woman (pg 31). When Hagar is tricked into seeing Silverthreads and asked how she likes it, she replies, “I never cared for barracks.” She describes her surroundings, “ The little cells looked unlived-in and they smell of creosote. An iron cot, a dresser, a bedspread of that cheap…”, (Beresford-Howe, pg 98). The Older Women’s network reveals that 51% of the women felt that cold and unwelcome surroundings were a factor in rejecting retirement homes and seniors’ residences. 
CONCLUSION Poverty, Housing and Community are among the needs of older women, which need to be seriously addressed by society and improved. Margaret Laurence eloquently addresses the predicament a woman finds herself when she is trapped in a marriage because of lack of funds and the consequence of leaving. Sadly, the period is not too long ago and though situations have improved, elderly women are still suffering poverty. Pensions are extremely too low and for women who have never worked outside their home, it is even lower. Constance Beresford-Howe has guided the reader through this journey of poverty---from riches---to rags, and all for independence. Margaret Laurence also takes us on a journey from a seemingly comfortable lifestyle to another escape, this time from the nightmare of a nursing home, barrack like and lacking the warmth of familiar surroundings. Homelessness appears a better option. Again the author addresses the pitfall of poverty and inadequate housing. It is society’s responsibility to take care of our older women. It is our responsibility to ensure that our elderly are comfortable with a suitable pension, and have a voice in what they consider suitable housing and community. Women have survived patriarchy and at what expense.

One final tid bit regarding suicide idealation

Last Saturday I attended a few hours meeting with a group of my alumni peers. I thought it was very interesting when one therapist reported that farmers have four more times the rate of suicide idealation. I thought that this was one important statistic which was missed in the last lecture. However, in all fairness, I believe this is new. The Association for Farmers (I am sure I am not saying this correctly) is organizing to pay for therapy for the farming community which would include vetinarians etc... The only time I reported farming was when I attended a series of lectures at Guelph University. If you check back to that period in my blogs, you will read a piece about how technology is changing for farmers. But there is much more. It appears Corporations are making most of the money and the farmer is at the low end, though in my opinion most important. Their income is not secure and with global warming of course this will in combination with uncertainities contribute to their stress. Another point that was raised is how some suffer because their children don't want to continue with the family business. I love farmers markets and do my best to attend them for selfish reasons. I love fresh produce. However, I also will choose free range eggs from marked local farming communities or other foods rather than from Corporations whenever possible. Something to think about. I wish you all a nice weekend. Here in Toronto we are expecting the worse storm of the season I believe is coming up from Texas. Did I hear that wrong? Anyhow, as long as the electricity and gas stays on I'm good. Take care.

A Business Proposal I once submitted after a sexual assault course. I have deleted anything identifiable - Please feel free to use this as a template

BUSINESS PLAN FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION WORKSHOP Executive Summary The Sexual Assault Investigation Workshop will be implemented as an educational tool to educate members of the community regarding sexual assault, stalking laws and how to receive help within the community and outside sources. Mission Goal in implementing this program is to provide resources for survivors of sexual abuse and for awareness training and resource options availability. OUR KEYS TO SUCCESS Networking with police and hospital staff at Sunnybrook Hospital and Women College Networking with support systems within the community The Sexual Assault Investigation workshop shall be advertised using media ). This advertising will be at minimal cost to the department. The program would be set up as follows with some periods modified or eliminated: Day One 0900- 1030 - Victim’s Perspective (a victim would talk about her/his experience) 1030 –1100 – break 1100- 1200 - Victim Services in the Community 1200 -1300 Lunch 1300 – 1430 – Introducing the Sexual Assault Kit 1430 - 1500 – Refreshment break 1500 – 1630 – Criminal code Day Two 0900 – 1030 -Impact on the Victim and Rape Trauma Syndrome (preferably a health practitioner) 1030 – 1100 - break 1100 – 1200 - Sexual assault drugs 1200 - 1300 - lunch 1300 - 1430 - Initial Contact / Interview Day Three 0900 – 1030 - Interview Suspects 1030 - 1100 - break 1200 - 1300 - lunch 1300 - 1430- Protecting Crime Scenes PERSONNEL Silva Redigonda will be responsible for the establishment and coordinating and maintaining this program. Silva Redigonda will be inviting COST Training is estimated at $2000. Poster Costs and handouts are approximately $500. Beverages/desserts is estimated at $100 - $300 for each workshop. Silva Redigonda date

For Love of Country - Military Policewoman www.silvaredigonda.ca

“You have to gain five pounds. 130 pounds is the minimum required weight. Those nails…” She stared at my hands in disgust. “Gone! And your hair…” she hissed, “must be short.” At the time, my dark mane reached to my buttocks, and that is how I had always worn it. When I was a child, my mother braided my hair or pinned it up. She told me that when I was very young I had cut one braid, forcing my parents to cut the other side to make it even. After that, never again, only trims to keep the ends healthy. Peter had refused to cut it all at once. “It would be too much for you my dear. We will cut it in stages. That will be much better for you. Oh my, such beautiful hair… why?” I continued to stare at my new image and wanted to cry. After spending the remainder of the afternoon with Sally and Rebecca, that evening I stayed home to be with my family. It was my last night before leaving for the Armed Forces. “You will write once a week, at least,” my father instructed. “Yes Daddy,” I responded. He loved to be addressed as Daddy. He hated Pops, tolerated Father and Dad, but cringed and hollered upon hearing the term “Old Man”, whether it was directed at him or not. “On the first day of each month you may phone…” he continued, “… and you better make it in the Armed Forces!” At eleven that night my last telephone call came to wish me luck. It was Twig. She was slightly older than I and we had been friends for a while. Her mother owned a delicatessen and I remember sleeping over at her house and stuffing myself with pastries. We always had fun. Twig married young and was unhappy about it. Her husband played in a band and wore makeup. She was afraid that he enjoyed the makeup a bit too much. After exchanging promises to write, we[…]” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.” www.silvaredigonda.ca

China, China, China - Politics - Something to think about

Stat Can reports that Canadian imports from China hit 100 billion in 2022, setting a new trade record. I do my best not to buy any product from China. Why? China is dictatorship. There has been two Federal elections where China seems to be interfering. In 2021 there were allegations that China was bribing and funding particular candidates. This seems widespread involving an abundance of resources and people according to the press. Canada does not have protection against this (what's new?). This is a major concern for me and what I find disturbing is Trudeau defending a liberal politician who is investigated by our Intelligence and what does he do? Instead of a full scale independent investigation, he bashes our CSIS, our intelligence whose job this is. Sound familiar? I was stunned by the Prime Minister's reaction. Why is he so defensive? What is really going on? Years ago I was at a function where a man informed me he was a politician. So, I asked a political question which I think was quite benign. However, he exploded stating he was at a private function, and that he was a member of parliament and therefore needed to be respected. I didn't even know he was a politician, until he informed me. It was not difficult to mentally note that he was very stressed. He lost in the next election a few weeks later. Being a politician is a privilege and whoever is elected with this power should protect us. Last night I listened to the Prime Minister who said words to the effect that non public figures do not dictate to politicians. Wow! He talked about the democratic process in his determination to defend the liberal politician in question. I believe our Intelligence people and the press who expose what is going on. Apparently the Prime Minister was warned before this particular liberal was placed in power. If I was in a position of any power and the spy agency warned me that a candidate was being supported by the Chinese, would I ignore it? No, I love my country and democracy which we need to protect. Politicians come and go. Politicians are elected by us, the average person. We do have very much of a say, especially if we feel that there may be a threat. We have already learned that China has set up police stations here in Canada. What else is going on and why are there not sanctions in place to protect us? So, I think it is about time that people begin to really think about what is going on and to vote accordingly. What do you think? Enough politics .............

SUICIDE IDEALATION

Today I attended an one hour talk provided by Ryan Slobodian representing EHN. I shall provide you with some notes which provides statistics. I don’t think this was designed for therapists but more elementary from the comments on the chat room I was reading. One hour simply isn’t enough time for this topic. I will tell you that for the first few years as a psychotherapist I was very concerned about clients committing suicide or causing harm in general. Now I am more experienced and have studied the topic, researched and attended lectures so am more confident. One of my instructors in a basic course had a client when he was a student whom had thrown himself off a bridge on the Danforth. Since then that bridge has appropriate life saving security measures. This is what Ryan reported: Every year approximately 4,500 die by suicide in Canada, about 12 people a day (this excludes MAID). High risk are men and boys, veterans, people in prison and minority populations. Women have higher rates of self harm which can be a risk factor for suicide. The rates of suicide among those aged 10 to 24 increased nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018. Indigenous suicide rate is three times higher and suicide is the leading cause of death in 2SLGBTQ and youth; four times more likely to die than their peers. Among black children it is twice as likely. What wasn’t mentioned is that though women attempt suicide more, it is elderly men who are the most who die from suicide (according to my studies). Suicide also runs in families. What I normally ask clients whom I consider at risk, is if they have suicidal thoughts and if they have planned it. Also if there is a family history of suicide. There are so many people suffering who don’t really want to die but have difficulty living with pain. There are others who think about how to kill themselves for years but don’t want to. I normally encourage clients to let at least one family member know what they experience. I am also always available for couple and family therapy since my work is very systematic. Normally, there is so much shame but reaching out does help. I also encourage a support network and work on core issues. Another thing that wasn’t mentioned is if a person suddenly changes and is very positive, it may be that he or she is ready to commit suicide since all the affairs have been taken care of. If you are feeling suicidal please get help. Another thing also not mentioned is a large amount of people who have attempted suicide and failed, found later that they didn’t really want to die. Ryan also spoke about appropriate language. I may have breached that here. Sorry. Language is always changing and quickly. I do my best, especially if it is with a client. What one person may feel is inappropriate another doesn’t. Have a good weekend everyone. Here in Toronto we have lots of snow on the ground and it is beginning to snow again. Oh boy! Take care and remember don’t hesitate to find help if you need it. If you are feeling that you want to commit suicide and you can’t wait to see someone go to a hospital and tell them. There are also suicide help lines. The choice is yours. Get the help you need please. People care more than you may think. I will be getting slides/video of this lecture. If you want a copy just let me know. There was more information that might be of interest to you. Just so you know that regardless of where you are in the world or the politics going on, I consider all people equal and worthy of being helped regardless of the state of their country, wars, terror etc….Just provide me with an email and I shall send it to you. If you wish just let me know you want me to post it and I shall. If I can help one person, it is a good day.