Riseup Society 

Spring is in the air, and we are excited to be featuring a new organization this month. Riseup Society is an incredible charity which offers individual counselling to those who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence and abuse in an Intimate Partner Relationship. Please continue reading about the important work they provide the community, and how you can help support their efforts. 

Offering counselling to those who have experienced violence and abuse in a relationship is incredibly vital. Any form of abuse has the potential to have a deep and long-term effect on an individual’s ability to live life fully. However, unravelling the complexities is difficult, and often requires the help of a trained and caring counsellor. The counsellors at Riseup Society specialize in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and abuse.  

They also offer healing groups for those impacted IPV. These are based on the understanding that profound healing is most often experienced in a safe and supportive community. All groups focus on educating participants on the dynamics and impact of abuse and assisting them in their journey towards holistic healing. 

Riseup Society is a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who recognize the impacts of Intimate Partner Violence and are committed to addressing the issue through their involvement in the organization. The team also consists of their Executive Director, whose role is to run the day-to-day operations of the organization. She also works with the staff to develop a presence in the community, workshops and more.  

Riseup Society currently has one, full time clinical counsellor who holds a Master of Arts degree in counselling in psychology and is a qualified Canadian Certified Counsellor. She is passionate about working with survivors of family violence, providing an empathetic and non-judgemental space for her clients to be heard. They also have a part-time Community Facilitator, whose role is to create programing, and help raise the profile of the organization in the community.   

Riseup Society counsels both men and women from the impacts of Intimate Partner Violence. Often, men don’t realize they can be impacted by verbal, emotional, or financial abuse from their partner. 

Riseup Society is looking forward to developing a Dating Violence Educational Package aimed at teens. The package includes a skit performed by local actors, educational support materials for students and presenters, and will include resources for teens affected by dating violence. The organization hopes to have the material ready for presentation before the end of the 2022 school year. 

Covid impacted Riseup Society as much as the rest of the world. Throughout the pandemic, intake numbers rose significantly. Able to access several Covid grants to help with the impact, between 2020 and 2022, they held counseling sessions virtually or over the phone while suspending group sessions. They look forward to reviving group sessions as restrictions ease and client comfort increases. 

Riseup is also grateful for the continued support of the community throughout the pandemic. Without that support, they wouldn’t be able to continue with the valuable work the organization does. Riseup Society would like to acknowledge some of their major supporters: Tier 3 I.T. Solutions, Amazon, Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign, North 49 Home Inspections, Dark Kiss Coffee, and Kevin Doyle – Remax.  

Riseup Society relies on the generous support of the community. With volunteer opportunities often available, those interested can contact the office to find out more. Individuals can also help by supporting with a one-time donation, or a regular monthly donation via: Canada Helps, Pay Pal Giving Account, or Square Giving Fund.  

Riseup Society is currently working on an online auction that will be going live mid-April. The link will be available through their website, so be sure to stay tuned for more on this exciting event! Another fundraiser in September is also being planned at Blackjacks Roadhouse, which will include live music and enjoyment.  

We want to thank Riseup Society for the incredible work that their organization does for the community and those impacted by domestic violence and abuse in an Intimate Partner Relationship.