For 13-year-old Hannah Miller of St. Thomas, the takeaway message from this morning’s (Thursday) Breakfast for Everyone, was the joy she experiences helping others. Miller was attending the 15th annual community breakfast at the St. Thomas Seniors Centre.
She is a member of the Interact Club of St. Thomas, a service club for young people, who left the breakfast inspired by the message of speaker Liz Brown, executive director of Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County.
Liz Brown, executive director of Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County, reminded the 200 community leaders and students in attendance that abuse is not an assault by a stranger. Instead, it is a violation of trust. Abuse is about coercion.
Those words hit close to home for another Interact member who says while it is easy to become discouraged hearing the stories of abuse, she is pushing forward with her life.
We need to keep our hearts open to abuse, reminded Brown, we need to stand together shoulder to shoulder to create places of sanctuary.
Brown concluded her remarks by observing, “You chose to show up today with a full heart. And to create social change.” She told the 200 people in attendance there is a need to keep hearts open to abuse and to create places of sanctuary, love and hope.
