See our next session dates!
This training is provided online, is free and open to those living in Waterloo Region. And accessibility supports, such as closed captioning, are available (please share your needs).
February Dates
- February 23: 7-9 pm
March Dates
- March 3: 12 pm-2pm
- March 14: 4-6 pm
- March 22: 6-8 pm
April Dates
- April 4: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- April 25: 4:30-6:30 pm
Network of Neighbours
Free Training to Reduce Gender-Based Violence.
To date, our society’s efforts to reduce the harm caused by gender-based violence have focused on resources to respond and support survivors after the fact. Because most of us learned social norms that accept violence. Or heard stereotypes that enable abusive situations, or some sort of etiquette that states it’s not our place to intervene when we see the warning signs.
But we've had it all wrong.
WE CAN stop the cycle of violence from getting worse.
WE CAN support those in abusive situations WHILE respecting their right to lead.
WE CAN help survivors of violence AND feel confident doing so.
Network of Neighbours can help.
Our free online training program designed for caring community members who want to gain knowledge on gender-based violence. So you can learn strategies to reduce the harm it causes, then become a better ally.
See our next session dates!
This training is provided online, is free and open to those living in Waterloo Region. And accessibility supports, such as closed captioning, are available (please share your needs).
February Dates
- February 23: 7-9 pm
March Dates
- March 3: 12 pm-2pm
- March 14: 4-6 pm
- March 22: 6-8 pm
April Dates
- April 4: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- April 25: 4:30-6:30 pm
Project W: Network of Neighbours
Bringing folks a whole newly focused network of neighbours training. This time we’re looking at how we can help women experiencing homelessness around experienced of gender-based violence
We all have the ability to empower survivors and build a safer community. Network of Neighbours training teaches you how to break the cycle of violence through practical knowledge, so you can develop your own signature approach to providing support.
Feel ready to help someone in need.
Know you can confidently and comfortably support those in your community who may reach out for help.
Understand and recognize violence.
Learn the basics of gender-based violence, how to recognize it, and how power plays a role through different cycles of abuse.
Become a better ally.
Deepen your understanding of biases, intersectionality, reflexivity, and other factors to better support our neighbours.
Join a supportive community.
Build connections and be a part of a growing network across our Region dedicated to making our neighbourhoods safer.
Learn strategies to reduce harm.
Find ways to intervene, learn bystander training, and identify the resources available to help. Because these strategies help people flee violence.
Ready to get started?
If you are ready to step up to support someone experiencing gender-based violence, we have upcoming training dates available.
Training for every neighbour to become a better ally
Our versatile content is centred in providing survivors with the best support possible. What makes this approach different? First, explore the unique topics we learn about together:
- Gender-based violence, risk factors, and abuse
- Harm reduction techniques to reduce the impact of violence
- Prevention talks for folks with escalating/abusive behaviour
- Bystander strategies to help during tense moments
- Community resources and other people of safety
- Your role as a support and ally
You’ll explore these tough subjects from a flexible and gentle perspective. Then, you can have a deeper understanding of yourself, your assumptions, and the ways you can provide support…
… to a friend or loved one experiencing abuse…
… to someone fleeing a violent home…
… to someone being mistreated in a public space…
… to someone you help provide care for…
… to any neighbour in your community.
Here's how you can help reduce Gender-Based Violence.
Public Sessions Free for Individuals
Learn online in one of our free public sessions.
If you’ve ever felt you could do more to support someone experiencing abuse if you just knew some reliable strategies, these sessions are for you. We offer free training sessions to the public 2-3 times a month to help you become a better ally.
- Facilitated over Zoom (no subscription required)
- Opportunities for interaction and knowledge application
- Flexibility to engage in ways that feel safe for you — actively on-camera, by audio only, or observing with your camera off and following the chat
Come join a network of people across Waterloo Region building a safer community today and into the future.
Free Private Trainings for Groups
We offer FREE private training for groups of 10+ people.
Members of not-for-profits, governments, service groups, neighbourhood groups, social enterprises, or businesses working closely with our community might notice signs of gender-based violence. Give your team the right tools so when they’re asked to help someone in these situations, they’re ready.
- Context specific and relevant strategies to help someone using your services
- Customized content that reflects the learning goals of your group
- Opportunities to work through scenarios as a team and develop your own approach to supporting someone
So your team can feel confident and prepared to make a difference.
Our Survivor-Led Approach
The Network of Neighbours approach focuses on strategies where the survivor of violence leads us in our efforts to help them. Survivors have had their choices taken away through the cycle of violence. We can help them while prioritizing autonomy and respect, and supporting the path they choose. Even if we would choose differently.
Our instructors tackle every topic and scenario in our training with this approach in mind! You learn from trained advocates in gender-based violence who have experience in a variety of non-profit roles. So you learn from first-hand experiences of those in one-on-one support to systems-level advocacy.
This training is facilitated by expert instructors who actively research, develop, and design systemic interventions for survivors. Our team has extensive experience in this field through their direct service for and their advocacy on behalf of survivors of gender-based violence.
Giving space for survivors to lead their own journey is integral to reducing the harm of gender-based violence.
Upcoming Training Dates
This training is provided online, and is free and open to those living in Waterloo Region. But, registration is required as spaces are limited!
February Dates
- February 23: 7-9 pm
March Dates
- March 3: 12 pm-2pm
- March 14: 4-6 pm
- March 22: 6-8 pm
April Dates
- April 4: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- April 25: 4:30-6:30 pm
Accessibility supports, such as closed captioning, are available (please share your needs). If you have accessibility needs and wish to register via email please contact info@thefeministshift.ca.
Funding Provided By Canadian Women's Foundation
Funding for this initiative is provided by The Canadian Women’s Foundation Shockproofing Communities Grants, a fund developed through Women and Gender Equality Canada, designed to support women’s organizations in their ability to help address, prevent and reduce gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
