Women's Rural Resource Centre

Come for the coffee. Stay for the connection. ☕

Coffee Chats is a welcoming, relaxed space for women in our rural communities to connect, enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea, meet new people, or simply spend time in the company of others.

No pressure. No expectations. Just coffee, conversation, and community.

📅 Bi-weekly from October to December
⏰ 10:00–11:00 a.m.
📍 Women’s Rural Resource Centre, 145 Beech Street, Strathroy
💛 Hosted by Barb Mitchell

Upcoming dates:
Oct. 7 • Oct. 23* • Nov. 4 • Nov. 18 • Dec. 2 • Dec. 16

Please note: Oct. 23 is a Friday. All other Coffee Chats take place on Wednesdays.

Come as you are. There’s a seat for you.

Our hearts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the woman whose life was taken in London last night. We are sending them our thoughts, love and care as they navigate an unimaginable loss.

We recognize that news of a femicide can be deeply felt by survivors, families, advocates and those who have experienced gender-based or intimate partner violence in their own lives.

Femicide is the most devastating consequence of gender-based violence. Each life lost is a painful reminder of why our collective work to prevent violence, recognize the warning signs, believe survivors and create safer communities remains so important.

To anyone reading this who may be experiencing violence, fear or control in a relationship: you do not have to navigate it alone. You do not need to be ready to leave to reach out for support.

We will meet you where you are 💛

WRRC’s 24/7 HelpLine: 1-800-265-5390

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

Today, WRRC is proud to join the Thames Valley District School Board’s Summer Partnership Recognition Event, celebrating the impact that can happen when community organizations come together with a shared purpose.

For us, this work is deeply connected to violence prevention. When we invest in children, youth, and families, we create more opportunities for connection, support, safety, and wellbeing. Those relationships matter, and they can make a lasting difference in the lives of the people we serve.

We are incredibly grateful to TVDSB for investing in WRRC and for helping us strengthen our ability to connect children, youth, and caregivers with meaningful support and resources.

Thank you for recognizing the importance of this work and for continuing to build partnerships that help create safer, healthier, and more connected communities.

September 10 is World Su***de Prevention Day 💛

Today is a reminder to check in with ourselves and the people around us. Sometimes, a conversation, a moment of compassion, or simply letting someone know you’re there can mean more than we realize.

Mental health struggles can feel isolating, but support is available. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out.

WRRC’s 24/7 Help Line is available at 1-800-265-5390.

Together, we can continue creating space for open conversations, connection, and hope.

We’re hiring!

WRRC is seeking an Indigenous Counsellor & Outreach Support to join our Direct Care Team.

This role provides culturally safe, trauma-informed counselling, advocacy, outreach, and support, helping strengthen access to culturally relevant and responsive services for Indigenous women and families in our community.

The successful candidate will support participants through counselling, safety planning, advocacy, system navigation, housing support, community connection, and culturally grounded programming.

Application Deadline: September 11, 11:59 AM
Apply by email: [email protected]
Subject line: Indigenous Counsellor & Outreach Support
Learn more about the position: wrrcsa.org/get-involved/

WRRC strongly encourages applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates and values lived experience and cultural knowledge alongside formal education and work experience.

Please share with someone who may be a great fit. 💛

Get involved - Women's Rural Resource Centre Have an interest in offering your awesome skills to us? We’re always on the look-out for amazing volunteers. We’ll find a position that works for you.

💛 WHAT A DAY! THANK YOU, STRATHROY!

Our Rural Family & Friends Block Party was an incredible celebration of community, connection and family fun, with nearly 1,000 people joining us throughout the day!

We are so grateful to everyone who came out, brought their families and friends, stopped by community booths, enjoyed the activities and helped make the event feel so welcoming and full of energy.

A huge thank you to Thames Valley District School Board for partnering with us to make this event possible, and to all of the community organizations, service providers, performers, volunteers and supporters who gave their time, resources and enthusiasm to the day.

From live music to food, family activities, community resources and countless conversations, it was wonderful to see so many people come together in one space.

We hope you had as much fun as we did, and we can’t wait to do it again!

📣 Reminder: These Community Food Cupboard changes begin this Thursday.

Please review the updated hours and upcoming October appointment process below, and share this information with anyone who may need it.

📣 Important Community Food Cupboard update

Beginning September 1, WRRC’s Community Food Cupboard will be open on Thursdays only.

September hours:

🕘 9 AM–1 PM
🕒 3 PM–6 PM

No appointment will be required during September.

Beginning October 1, the Community Food Cupboard will transition to pre-packed food bags by appointment. Requests must be received at least three days before pickup. For Thursday pickup, requests must be submitted by Monday at 6 PM.

📞 For more information or to book beginning October 1, call 519-246-1526 ext. 601.

Please share this update with anyone who may need it.

Our hearts and shelves are full! 💛

A huge thank-you to Hustle & Heart 105.7 myFM and every business, organization, team, and community member who contributed to this incredible donation drive. Our shelves can run low quickly, and donations like these help us continue providing essential items, comfort, and support to the women and children who rely on WRRC.

We truly could not do this work without the care and generosity of our community. This was a huge undertaking for myFM and everyone who donated, and we are so grateful to each person who helped keep our shelves full and our hearts even fuller.

Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to honour the generations of women who challenged injustice, raised their voices, and fought for the rights and opportunities many people have today.

It is also a reminder that the work toward equality is far from finished. Women continue to experience gender-based violence, discrimination, economic inequality, barriers to leadership, and unequal access to safety, support, and opportunity. These challenges are often even greater for Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and rural women.

Meaningful equality requires more than recognition. It requires listening to women’s experiences, challenging harmful systems and attitudes, supporting survivors, and creating communities where every woman is respected, believed, valued, and safe.

Today, we recognize the progress that has been made while recommitting ourselves to the work still ahead. Together, we can continue building a future where all women have the freedom, resources, and opportunities they need to live and thrive.