The Willow Centre Sexual Violence Supports for Charlotte County

08/27/2026

Today we’re celebrating three incredible years of Sam pouring her heart into The Willow Centre and our community. 🩵

Sam is the definition of a dedicated and driven leader. If you’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with her, you know her willingness to step up wherever she is needed and her superpower of turning ideas into action. Through everything she does, it is clear how deeply she cares about The Willow Centre, its clients, her team, and the community.

From growing Teal Day, to creating a trauma-informed space for those affected by sexual violence, to continually finding new opportunities so The Willow Centre can better serve Charlotte County, the impact of her work is irreplaceable.

She is often the first one in the office and the last to leave, and somehow still always has time for the people around her. Whether it’s stopping for a conversation, rearranging the office for the hundredth time, or making sure there’s coffee creamer in the fridge even though she doesn’t drink coffee, it’s the little things that show how much she cares.

We are so lucky to have you leading the way. Here’s to three amazing years and everything still to come!

Help us celebrate Sam by leaving a message of appreciation or well wishes in the comments!

08/20/2026

We’re excited to see the Community Empowerment Fair featured on Southwest Magazine! 🎥

A big thank you to Vicki Hogarth for taking the time to chat with us about what’s coming up at the fair and why this event is such a great opportunity for our community.

Join us on Saturday, September 12 from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Garcelon Civic Centre for a free, all-ages event bringing together local organizations, resources, information sessions, children’s activities, seniors’ supports and more.

Check out our Community Empowerment Fair event page for all the details. The link is in the comments!

And be sure to follow CCAPN for updates as we get closer to the fair!

A major community event is coming to St. Stephen, bringing more tha...

08/20/2026

It is wonderful to see this partnership and the work behind it being shared with our community!

We want to extend another thank you to the St. Stephen Royal Canadian Mounted Police in New Brunswick for their continued collaboration and commitment to making this initiative possible.

Partnerships like this help create meaningful change in how people are supported in Charlotte County, and we are grateful to be working together toward that goal.

08/14/2026

Take a pause and reconnect with nature at our next Forest Bathing evening with The Willow Centre. 🌿

Join us on Thursday, August 20 from 6:00–8:00 PM at Ganong Nature Park for a guided evening focused on being present in nature.

Forest bathing comes from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku and invites you to experience the forest through your senses. Jeff Perry of The Cove, a trained forest therapy guide, will lead the evening with gentle mindfulness activities. No hiking or previous experience is needed.

Spaces are limited to 8–10 participants. To RSVP, email [email protected] and include any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Can’t make August 20? Our final gathering of the season will be September 17.

See the poster for what to bring, what to wear, and tick-safety reminders!

08/14/2026

We are incredibly proud to see this partnership come to life. 🩵

Creating a dedicated, trauma-informed forensic interview space at The Willow Centre provides a more comfortable and supportive environment while keeping individuals connected to local services.

We are grateful to the St. Stephen RCMP for their collaboration, and to the RCMP and CBSA members whose charity hockey game raised $7,000 in support of this project and our work.

This space is a powerful example of what can happen when community partners come together with survivors at the centre of the process.

The West District RCMP is proud to highlight a collaborative partnership between the St. Stephen Detachment and the Willow Centre that will enhance services and support available to victims of crime in Charlotte County.

Recognizing the importance of providing a safe, comfortable, and trauma-informed environment for victims, the Willow Centre and the RCMP have established a dedicated forensic interview space. The room has been equipped to support victim-centred interviews and meet investigative requirements.

Beginning in August 2026, the interview space will be available for RCMP use, marking an important milestone in the project.

The new space will provide investigators with access to a professional and supportive environment where victims can participate in sensitive interviews while remaining connected to local support services. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to reducing barriers for victims and ensuring they receive compassionate care and assistance from the time of disclosure through their recovery journey.

"This initiative is an excellent example of victim-centred policing and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaboration with community partners," said Sgt. Pierre Ladouceur of the St. Stephen RCMP. "By working closely with the Willow Centre, we are creating an environment that supports victims of crime while enhancing our ability to conduct sensitive interviews in a manner that prioritizes their well-being."

Community support has also played an important role in bringing this project to life. Earlier this year, a member of the St. Stephen RCMP partnered with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to organize a charity hockey game in support of the Willow Centre. As a result, $7,000 was raised to help advance the project and support services for individuals impacted by sexual violence.

"Healing doesn't happen through one person or one service. It happens when a community comes together to support someone through some of the hardest moments of their life," said Sam Gullison of the Willow Centre. "This partnership is about creating a space that offers wrap-around, trauma-informed care and places survivors at the centre of the process. We are incredibly grateful to the St. Stephen RCMP for their collaboration and support in making this important initiative possible."

This partnership demonstrates the value of collaboration between law enforcement, local agencies, and community organizations in delivering effective, victim-focused services and improving outcomes for those affected by crime.

https://rcmp.ca/en/nb/news/2026/08/4355896

08/13/2026

When does pressure become coercion?

Pressure can involve trying to influence someone’s decision. Coercion happens when that pressure takes away their ability to feel like they can freely say yes or no. When a person agrees to something they do not want because they feel afraid, guilty, or unable to say no, consent is no longer freely given. Everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected without feeling obligated or afraid to say no.

Guilt-tripping someone, using intimidation, threatening to end a relationship, taking advantage of a power imbalance, or continuing to pressure someone after they have expressed discomfort are all forms of coercion.

Understanding the difference between pressure and coercion is an important part of understanding consent.

08/11/2026

A little piece of Teal Day now has a permanent place at The Willow Centre. 🩵

When you walk through our doors, you’ll now be greeted by the official Teal Day declaration. It is a meaningful reminder of how awareness and community support can help create change.

Teal Day began as an initiative at The Willow Centre to bring greater visibility to sexual violence and show support for survivors. Having the declaration displayed in our space is something we are incredibly proud of.

A special thank you to By-The-Sea Framing & Photo for generously creating a one-of-a-kind custom frame for the declaration free of charge. Their care and craftsmanship helped make this piece even more special, and we are so grateful for their support of The Willow Centre and our work in the community.

Help us keep the spirit and awareness of Teal Day going all year long!

08/07/2026

Such a sweet way to celebrate Chocolate Fest! 🍫🩷

A big thank you to Chocolate Fest for inviting The Willow Centre to participate as a judge for the Recipe to Riches competition. We loved getting to see the creativity that went into each entry and being part of such a fun community event.

And of course, all the desserts were delicious!

Thank you for including us and for bringing people together for such a wonderful event!

07/30/2026

Support does not come with conditions.

You do not have to report your experience to the police to receive support. Reporting is a personal decision, and there is no expectation that you take that step before reaching out. You can access support while you are considering your options, if you have decided not to report, or simply because you need someone to talk to.

There is no “right” way forward. Whatever you choose, support is available to help you move forward in the way that feels best for you.