<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.5726" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=3>You are invited to join us at the
opening of <I>5314: a celebration of nurturance and connection,</I> a show at
the Smithers Art Gallerning honouring the twentieth anniversary of Passage
House, this Friday, April 3 beginning at 7 pm. You are also invited to attend a
series of lunch time events that share information and stories about the
services offered through Passage House and a final men's night on Friday, April
24 (see below for more details).<BR> <BR>Smithers' transition house first
opened its doors 20 years ago. Run by the Northern Society for
Domestic<BR>Peace, Passage House provides shelter for women and children in
crisis.<BR> <BR>5314 refers to the 5,314 times that women and children have
received support and protection at Passage House since 1989. The show coincides
with BC’s Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, April 18 -
25.<BR> <BR>"While it is hard to celebrate the need for a transition house,
it is important to honour the women and the children who have accessed the
shelter seeking support, safety and some peace, even if just for one night,"
said Carol Seychuk, executive director of NSDP.<BR> <BR>The show, which
runs from March 31 to April 25, features works by artists from across Northwest
BC in media ranging from painting and beadwork to pottery.<BR> <BR>"Our
contribution to the show is created by a group of women in recognition of
strength and beauty everywhere," said artist Vigil Overstall. "We must nurture
and care for these qualities, which sustain us all."<BR> <BR>Over the
course of the art show, NSDP will be holding a number of events at the gallery
related to violence prevention:<BR></DIV></FONT>
<UL>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">Friday April 3, 7 pm
Show opens with a birthday celebration for Passage </SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">House </SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">Wednesday, April 8, noon
How we support women </SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">Wednesday, April 15, noon
Passage House Herstory </SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">Wednesday, April 22, noon
How we support children </SPAN></FONT>
<LI><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">Friday April 24, 7 pm
Men’s Night, featuring the film Tough Guise and a </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">discussion of men's programs and
strategies for reducing violence against </SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">women </SPAN></FONT></LI></UL>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">For more information,
contact: Carol Seychuk, Executive Director Northern Society for Domestic
Peace </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14px">(250)
847-9000 or check the website at www.domesticpeace.ca <A
href=""><http://www.domesticpeace.ca></A> .
</SPAN></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>