Photo © Courtesy of The Sheen for She Foundation
Think self-care is just another trend? Think again. The Sheen for She Foundation is proving that self-care isn’t just talk—it’s a life-saving tool for confronting the aftermath of domestic violence and making life’s hurdles a little easier to overcome.
As the epidemic of violence against women escalates at an alarming rate in our communities, Sheen for She is implementing a widely overlooked strategy—empowering women to take charge of their health through self-care. This multidimensional approach doesn’t just cut down on unexpected medical visits; it creates opportunities for women to build lasting habits of self-love and personal responsibility, ultimately fostering both physical and emotional well-being. After escaping a long history of violence, Addison, a client of Sheen for She, shared, “For the first time in years, I felt love and respect for the woman I am—something I lost during my relationship.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheen for She Foundation has distributed more than 15,000 Perseverance Aid Kits (PAKs) to women and youth across the GTA and rural Ontario, providing vital support where it’s needed most. By partnering with over 80 women’s organizations and shelters, the foundation has made a measurable impact—helping to reduce violence, alleviate anxiety, and empower women to regain control of their lives. The success of the Perseverance Aid Project is just one example of the many programs at Sheen for She that highlight the transformative power of self-care, backed by evidence-based results.
A staff member from the Scarborough Health Network’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre commented, “As you know, many of the clients that we see have just gone through something traumatic. Being able to use Sheen for She’s items to shower and freshen up after the assessment and Sexual Assault Evidence Kit has made a huge difference in their care.”
A growing team at Sheen for She powers a variety of programs, including crisis counselling, medical esthetics, self-defence workshops, legal system navigation, and transitional personal health-care programming.
Eve, a dedicated volunteer with the Sheen for She Foundation for several years, shared her reflections on the experience: “Volunteering with Sheen for She has given me the chance to give back and is so important to me as a single mother. Hearing the stories of the women we’ve helped reminds me of the importance of self-love. I always tell my daughter that real strength starts with loving yourself, and if she can hold on to that, nothing can stop her.”
“The urgency of self-care is undeniable. It’s incredible to witness the immediate and lasting changes that occur when a woman takes crucial steps to protect her well-being, her family, and her identity. Self-care empowers women to build a stronger relationship with themselves, understand their needs, and navigate life’s challenges with grace. At Sheen for She, we support women as they rebuild their lives, reinforcing that their experience of violence does not mark the end of their life story,” stated Mary Hawk, CEO of the Sheen for She Foundation.
Visit sheenforshefoundation.com to learn more about how you can support this life-changing work. You can also find Sheen for She on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @sheenforshe and @sheenforshefoundation.
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