On Nov. 23, the Catholic Family 鱿鱼视频app (CFS) of Toronto Foundation hosted its annual benefit concert at Hugh鱿鱼视频app Room in Toronto, placing its main focus this year on abuse of teenaged girls.
Denise Araiche, a committee chair member, said CFS staff was noticing that abuse cases were becoming quite common among teens. This year, CFS launched a new program to teach young girls what to look for in abusive relationships and how to steer clear from them.
鈥淰ery often you find, sometimes, people that are isolated or think that this is the only life they can get or they are loved because they have a boyfriend,鈥� said Araiche. 鈥淓ven though he鱿鱼视频app sometimes in a tantrum or sometimes he doesn鈥檛 treat me well, it鱿鱼视频app okay. We just want people to know that it鱿鱼视频app not okay.鈥�
Teens Healthy Relationships was launched in September in partnership with the Toronto Catholic School Board. CFS facilitates workshops in Toronto high schools to educate young girls on relationships and prevent the cycle of abuse at an earlier stage.
鈥淥ut of that program, I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l find different needs and we鈥檒l try to evolve with the program or change the program to fit those needs,鈥� said Araiche. 鈥淭hese concerts provide the necessary funds to keep these programs on going.鈥�
Board president Mary Kennedy said about one in four women experience abuse by their husband, boyfriend or ex-partner. In Canada, seven in 10 reported cases of family violence involve women and girls.
鈥淎buse is not just physical, it鱿鱼视频app emotional, it鱿鱼视频app mental and people manipulate others,鈥� said Araiche. 鈥淲e take care of anybody. Although we are the Catholic Family 鱿鱼视频app of Toronto, we will help anybody that knocks on the door. They don鈥檛 have to be Catholic, it鱿鱼视频app anybody who needs our help.鈥�
On the benefit stage, Canadian saxophonist Enrico Galante started off the evening鱿鱼视频app entertainment with the accompaniment of his friend and singer Dan Madison. Each performer, such as Lisa Simone and Danny Scott, just added to the crowd鱿鱼视频app enthusiasm and soon everyone was on their feet, dancing and clapping to the music.
The annual benefit concerts began in 2014 and have been a great success in the fundraising efforts of the CFS, said Araiche.
CFS Toronto was established in 1922 with programs involving women abuse, as well as counselling, wellness groups and marriage preparation.
Araiche said there are volunteer opportunities for youth to become involved and bring awareness to the issue of abuse.
鈥淲e want them to be aware that we鈥檙e in the community,鈥� said Ariache. 鈥淭hat we鈥檙e helping people with abusive relationships and for them to refer people to us and to donate to such a worthy cause. We want people to be aware of what we do and to be supportive of it.鈥�
(Azevedo, 17, is a Grade 12 student at Holy Name of Mary College School in Mississauga, Ont.)