What's going on at the New Hope Society ...
The Prince George New Hope Society staff and volunteers would like to sincerely thank all the people, businesses and organizations for all the donations this season, and throughout the past year. Your generosity has helped many woman and Christmas was a great success. We served 80 women and children and they had an amazing time. Again, thank you so much for all your generosity.
Sincerely:
Jan Wilson, Project Coordinator
Angela Paul, Interim Addicitions Support Worker
We would like to thank the City of Prince George for their financial support to us during 2009. New Hope received $12,470 from the city to provide addictions programming for sex workers and sexually exploited youth.
We would like to thank the Canadian Women's Foundation for their financial support to us during 2008. New Hope received $24,829 from the Foundation to do regional work around sexual exploitation prevention with youth.
Our website is in the process of changing and all funder logos will soon be present. Stay tuned for some exciting changes!
Welcome everyone to our website!
Dear Friends,
I would personally like to extend a warm welcome to those of you who are visiting our website for the first time and to the returning visitors who just can't seem to get enough of us! As many of you know, sexual exploitation and survival sex work is affecting womyn in our communities across the globe. It is organizations like New Hope and all of her 'sisters' that are getting fantastic grassroots work done to create change and foster hope. I invite all of you to drop us a line through our contact form on this site. Let us know who you are, where you are from, what kind of work you are doing, and how you feel about our website! We look forward to hearing from you. Let's work together to fight the oppressive people and systems that continue to exploit our womyn and children.
In Solidarity,
Christal Capostinsky
Things we need For Xmas 2010:
| Make-up kits | Backpacks | Stationary items |
| Body Wash kits | Hairbrushes | Mailing stamps |
| Socks | Hair Accessories | Craft supplies |
| Underwear | Diaries | Healthy Snacks |
We Need Volunteers!!
These are some of our volunteer opportunities:
The Prince George New Hope Society is looking for volunteers to help out with the following:
- Board of Directors
- Fundraising
Call New Hope at 250-562-8680 for more information.
Painted Dolls
She stands alone
Her saddened face cloaked in the darkness of the eve
Her body trembles from the cold of the fall breeze
She still stands alone
Hurt by the harsh words of passerby's, she is reminded of what she does
Her body aches for the one thing that keeps her on this lone dark corner
Her mind races for the one thing that lessens the pain
Yet she still stands alone, waiting for someone to see her
Slowly she looks up and peers over her shoulder
Across the street a girl stands hidden in the dim light,
A mirror in her small hands, she paints her face
If fate is on her side, she can escape the cold for a short while
They connect and wave in greeting,
Walk across the street to meet
Hug
Briefly exchange words
Then retreat back to their stage where they stand on display
They are not alone, they have each other
They are friends, painted dolls in a store window
Braced for a competition
Who is prettier?
Younger
More child-like
The one who is successful could gain refuge from the cold of the night
They choke back the fear and the pain
Each faced with the task of fanciful poses
Like bait, they attempt to lure the treasure
They rise to stand tall
Through the cold deadness and flames of agony that their legs endure
The façade of a proud woman in her element begins
For now they are fighting a losing battle
Tomorrow they will be comrades yet again.
Christal Capostinsky
September 10, 2005
To be the Best Smells Good
I can smell the fireplaces
burn from outside at night.
I think of winter time as a kid.
My cool breath on my face as
I skate around and around
all by myself, enjoying the
crispy scraping sound
of my blades as I glide across the ice.
Not once did I imagine ending up
where I have been.
Those cold dark mornings
in the Astoria on Hastings.
Sitting up in a panic
remembering the night before.
Did I do all my dope?
I relax and reach under my bed to pull
my loaded needle out of my purse.
Thankfully, I am capable
of going out to the corner
this day.
When the air is cool and
smells of fireplaces nearby
reminding me of when I
walked as a child to the
rink to skate by myself.
To twirl around and dream
of being the best I can be
Not too worried about
what anyone thought of me.
I was just this little girl
who deserved the best
to be the best.
I am 35 now and in
a place in my life that I now want
the best and to be the best
I can be.
Winter is here and
the snow was in
the air last night and I
look forward to skating
this winter for the first time in years.
I will teach
my two youngest of four
Beautiful children
to skate.
I am blessed and grateful
that I have the chance to see them
twirl around and around
and witness the look of innocence
of dreaming
to be the best at whatever
their little hearts desire.
Freesia Clark
2006
Till We Meet Again
Gone but never forgotten
Faces that we will remember forever
For the lives they had were not who they were
Friend, sister, brother, they were and will always be
Glitters that shine bright in the night sky
Waiting...
For the comfort of our prayers
The streets were only but a home for their lost souls
Wandering aimlessly
Searching for something or someone to believe in
They were warriors
Men and women standing in the face of a nation risen against them
Their stories will not be untold
Stamped out in the ashes of their deaths
This is not goodbye
Only till a moment in time when we meet again
Written April 2007 by C. Capostinsky
Prince George New Hope Society
For Sex Workers, By Sex Workers!
| AWAC Shelter | 562-6262 |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Fry Society | 563-1113 |
| Native Friendship Centre | 564-3568 |
| PG New Hope Society | 562-8680 |
| NorthernWomen's Centre | 960-5632 |
| Northern Women's Wellness Information Centre | 562-8680 |
| Phoenix Transition Society | 563-7305 |
| Prince George Sexual Assault Centre | 564-8302 |