who we are
At The Lotus Centre, our commitment to our clients is central to our service. Our organization aims to provide the highest level of assistance and best support possible.
We are client-focused
The Lotus Centre provides services and supports in the best interest of clients by communicating, collaborating, and consulting with the clients themselves, other members of the community, and staff about client care.
We are collaborative
The Centre is committed to working together with other agencies, partners, and stakeholders to pool common interests, assets, and professional skills in order to achieve common goals and outcomes that benefit our community. We work to ensure we have an equal voice at the table to address the needs of Colchester County.
Responsive to community needs
The Lotus Centre, working with its partners, designs new programs as needs are identified and funding obtained.
Team based
The Lotus Centre’s staff takes a team approach where everyone on the team is a leader and a manager, each person is equally responsible for the success of the Centre. Members cannot operate in isolation. Each team member must know and appreciate each other’s strengths and skills. Each member is responsible for their part, and the quality of work that is done. Joint ownership for results and the environment is demonstrated. Respect, appreciation, and validation are shared by the team.
Pro-Choice
The The Lotus Centre is a pro-choice organization. We accept the political and ethical view that a woman has total control over her fertility and pregnancy. This includes access to accurate sexual education, access to safe and legal abortion, support and resources for continuing pregnancies, contraceptive and fertility treatments; and legal protection from forced abortion.
Feminist based
We operate from a feminist perspective that is, by definition, rooted in women’s experience. Feminism is a political, social, and cultural movement dedicated to promoting equal rights for women in all aspects of life. We seek to achieve political, economic, personal, and social rights for women that are equal to those of men. Feminism is not a single ideology, but rather is characterized by a diverse set of perspectives and movements dedicated to promoting women’s rights.
our history
The Central Nova Resource Centre was envisioned as part of a class assignment in April 1998 by a group of women (Bonnie Joldersma, Jackie Ferdinand, and Verna Gibson) who were enrolled in the Community Economic Development Certificate Program at Nova Scotia Community College (Truro Campus.) As part of the assignment a basic plan/needs assessment was developed and conducted regarding establishing a Women’s Centre in the Colchester area. The results indicated an overwhelming response in favor.
In September 1998, a grant was received from the Community Health Promotion Fund to conduct a more “comprehensive” needs assessment; which showed a definite need for Women’s Centre in Colchester County. In May 1999, an executive with the Board of Directors was formed and in June 1999, we became incorporated as the “Central Nova Women’s Resource Centre”. In August 1999, start-up grants were received from Human Resources Development Canada and the Colchester Regional Development Agency. The Centre also joined in partnership with the Nova Scotia Community College – Truro Campus, to house the Women’s Centre on Campus. In November 1999, a Coordinator was hired and the Centre began operation.
We officially “opened our doors” in January 2000 from a one room office located at the Nova Scotia Community College (Truro Campus) – bottom floor of the Library. In November 2002, increases in client outreach required a physical move to a more accessible store-front location, and we began the first of a few moves that would allow us to provide on-site programming. In December 2004, due to tremendous client participation, and on-going requests for increased programming, the Central Nova Women’s Resource Centre relocated to a larger storefront location downtown on Prince St, where we stayed for almost 10 years.
In 2005 CNWRC acquired charitable status and we became a registered charity. Our core funding was received from the Development of Community Services, and along with various other sources of contributions, we have been able to see the realization of the Centre’s vision of “women helping women.”
From 2005-2015, the Centre has worked to meet the needs of women in Colchester County. Each year we have offered new programs including journaling, employment skills and leisure exploration. Our core programming focusing on coping skills remains unchanged, with updates to programs based on societal changes. In 2015 our core funding was moved from the Department of Community Services to the Nova Scotia Advisory Council On the Status of Women. This change has aligned us with a Government Department whose own focus is meeting the diverse needs of women.
In 2017, we purchased our forever home and are excited about continuing to work in partnership and collaboration with many community stakeholders who share our vision of an equal society that enhances the quality of life for all women by providing resources and services. The future of Central Nova Women’s Resource Centre is bright, and we are excited as we move forward towards true equality.
Why The Lotus Centre….The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again unscathed from the debris of the night. The lotus bud is compared to a folded heart or soul, which has the ability to blossom or awaken to divine truth. The flower symbolizes one’s journey from darkness towards the light of knowledge, and wisdom in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment. The Lotus represents the act of rising above all. Its unique quality is said to symbolize the human who rises from the darkness of the world into a new way of thinking and living
This is believed to represent the aspiration to rise above and move towards light. The lotus, therefore, symbolizes the journey from darkness (as depicted by the muddy pond) to the light of knowledge or wisdom.
This is the same journey we hope for all those who enter our doors.