Women’s Counselling Services in Verona

Nov 04, 2010

Though often a topic that we prefer not to discuss, the truth is that many rural women are currently living with domestic violence.

In an effort to serve and support them, a partnership has been set up between the Women’s Program at the Kingston Community Counseling Centres (K3C) and the Verona Medical Clinic. K3C provides one day a week of counseling to women at the Verona Medical Clinic.

Donna Forster, the program co-ordinator with K3C, said that the service is benefiting rural women who often face challenges that might make them unable to get the help and support that they need.

“My job is to make sure that there is awareness in the community of this important service that we offer,' she said. “The difficulty for women in rural areas is that they tend to be isolated geographically, and to lack funds and the necessary transportation. Our service strives to support and encourage these women as they understand their options and learn more about the resources that are available to help them”.

Manijeh Moghisi is the K3C counselor who is counseling women at the Verona Clinic weekly on Tuesday mornings. She is a registered social worker and has been working with K3C for 19 years. She acquired a BSW from McGill University in Montreal and is currently studying for her Masters in Social Work at Carleton University.

“The service is geared to women who have been in or who are currently in abusive relationships. These women can often have a tendency to become depressed and not understand why. Through counseling, they come to understand the reasons why. Whether they choose to leave or to continue in the relationship, my goal is always to support their choice,” said Manijeh, who has been providing this service in Verona for four years.

For women who are struggling right now and are not sure what to do, Manijeh had this to say: “You are not alone, help is available and you deserve to be healthy and happy”.

The free service is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and serves a catchment area that includes the Road 38 corridor between Murvale in the south through to and including Cole Lake just north of Godfrey.

Residents in this area can call the Verona Medical Clinic at 613-374-3311 to set up an appointment. Residents outside of this area can call the K3C office at 613-549-7850 in Kingston to inquire about the services at other locations.