E09: Today’s guest is Dawn Ferris, the Executive Director at Autumn House in Amherst, NS. Autumn House serves Cumberland and Westmorland Counties and provides immediate shelter for women who are victims of intimate partner violence. Autumn House also provides support counselling for women and children who have suffered or witnessed domestic violence, amongst other programs. I am a member of the Board of Directors for Autumn House and Dawn has been telling us about the increased risk vulnerable women have during self-isolation and social distancing. I wanted Dawn to come and talk about how Autumn House has modified their services to still provide this essential service during times of social distancing.
We recorded this interview originally on April 2, 2020. The news the next day was of a woman in Hammonds Plains that was murdered in a domestic violence incident. We did not talk about this during the interview, but it reinforced the need for us to have this discussion.
Since the initial interview, Dawn has received word that Autumn House has received approximately $30,000 in funding from the federal funds that were announced. This money has been used to add on more staff to allow Autumn House to guarantee availability of the shelter if some staff are forced to self-isolate.
Autumn House has implemented cleaning protocols and ways to maintain social distancing amongst the residents. They are also still meeting with clients by phone.
Autumn House Crisis Line (902) 667-1200
If anyone would like to support Autumn House you can make a donation through canadahelps.org here. And you will receive a tax receipt.
This episode is brought to you by:
Jeff White, with White's Computer Services is looking for people that have old computers they aren't using. Jeff is formatting, fixing and re-purposing these computers for students who need a computer to do schooling online but don't have access to one at home. Contact Jeff on Facebook to arrange to drop off your computer.
The Staff at Trendy Eyewear in the Amherst Town Square Mall are open for business with modified hours. The staff is there for people who need new glasses or repairs during this time. Contact them on Facebook or by phone at 902 661 2040
More of Dawn’s background:
Dawn is a strong activist, feminist, and socialist. Dawn was very active in her union while she worked at Dalhousie University for 20 years and this experience honed her leadership skills as she found her passion for advocating for others, especially women. The more Dawn became involved with anti-poverty coalitions, human rights issues, women’s issues, Mi’kmaq rights, LGBTTQ rights, BLM campaigns and events for all of these issues, she had a deepening understanding of social justice issues as they relate to women and families, and our patriarchal society.
Since December 2017, Dawn has been the Executive Director at the Cumberland County Transition House Association, which has Autumn House (the women's transition house) and New Directions (the men's intervention program), and a second stage home for women and children under its umbrella. Dawn is also the president of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and continues as Past Chair of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. Dawn has been involved with the Elizabeth Fry Societies since 2012; the Elizabeth Fry Society works with and for women who are in the justice system or are at risk of becoming so. They are the abolitionists of prison for women.
