Avante’s September News
but want to maintain this relationship and feel better about yourself? If someone you love has Borderline Personality Disorder, it’s like walking on eggshells — choosing what you say and do so carefully, because the wrong words or actions could trigger negative reactions. Even your tone of voice must be monitored. Everything is either black or white, right or wrong — no possible consideration of a different point of view. And moods vary like an on/off switch. Do you feel that some days you are looked upon as the best person ever, then suddenly you’re accused of being selfish and egotistical? You are not alone. “I Hate You — Don’t Leave Me”: a classic go-to book when searching out an understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder, states the obvious. More and more people are searching for answers — parents, families, and friends, because, depending on what’s happening, it can begin at any age, triggered by a mixture of temperament, genes, and environment. But they are wearing down over time and relationships are failing.
It is possible to live in harmony and have better lives however, by learning different ways to communicate more effectively and understand the dynamics of this relationship. Avante is partnering with Oasis, who has a tried-and-true program designed for families and friends of someone with these traits. Learn how to live your life in harmony with your loved ones and get support in making constructive changes. We will be offering “To Love and help someone who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder: a challenge that can be achieved” at the Bedford CLSC over 10 sessions every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, starting Oct. 5. Registration is required by calling Susan Laporte at 450-777-7131 or Barb at Avante 450248-0530 for more information.
You do not have to have a diagnosis of Borderline to participate, but to find out more about what it is, Susan will be our guest speaker at the Cowansville CLSC on Friday, September 22 for our first Health Matters session, starting at 10 a.m., presenting an overview of Borderline Personality Disorder. This activity is open to everyone, and we can take your registration afterwards as well.
Avante Outreach Coming to a town near you! We’ve decided to take to the road and visit different communities over the next three years to pick your brains about Avante. We plan to start this fall in Sutton, so please make a point to come to our “Meet & Greet” at the town hall on the following dates:
October 5 for a light supper at 6 p.m., or November 9 for a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m., or December 5 for a bowl of soup at noon
September Activities Activities at Avante start with a new program with our newest staff member, Kayla Chamberlin. Kayla has designed several workshops and information sessions for women under 40. Because women in this age group have limited free time, her workshops will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8, and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30. The topics for Tuesdays are, on the 12th – Meditation for Beginners and on the 19th, Yoga. A seven-part program on Building Confidence will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8, starting on September 13. Her Wednesday morning workshop will be held on September 20, covering personal finances.
Gayl will be hosting a quilting/sewing class on how to make an owl pin cushion, on the last Tuesday, September 26, from 6 to 8 p.m.
“Health Matters” returns to the
Cowansville CLSC every third Friday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a complimentary soup lunch. This month, Susan Laporte from Oasis Santé Mentale will be giving a live presentation explaining the basic traits and challenges of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Barb will be going to Knowlton twice a month again this fall, and in response to an awareness that our activities in Knowlton are only offered during the day, we are going to try offering the “Health Matters: Revisited” information sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. These sessions are recorded videoconferences by health experts offered to English speaking communities throughout Quebec. “Revisited” refers to the fact that the recordings have been shown previously in Cowansville, but back by popular demand.
Our first activity in Knowlton will be an afternoon Coffee Break on Monday, September 18, starting at 1:30. Barb will be guiding us through “Learning How to Say No in 4 Easy Steps.” As part of a stress management program, you will see how saying no to others means saying yes to ourselves!
Also, as there wasn’t much response to Barb being available for personal visits in the mornings, she will still be available, but with prearranged appointments only, either in the mornings before a Coffee Break, or afternoons, before a Health Matters: Revisited presentation.
Thursday, September 21 is our monthly “Soup Café,” from noon to 1 p.m. Drop in and enjoy a bowl of homemade soup with some great company, followed by a DIY craft project at 1:30. We’ll be making 3D autumn star hangings. All materials are provided, but we ask for a $2 donation. Please call to reserve your spot for the afternoon activity.
We would like to remind you that carpooling from Bedford to our activities in other municipalities is often available.
We would also like to remind you to bring your empty ink cartridges to the centre to help with the MIRA dog training program.
Avante Women’s Centre has been operating since 1997 with the mandate to reach out to anglophone women in the Brome-missisquoi area. Our services include monthly workshops and coffee breaks, popular education programs, and special activities aimed at encouraging women to expand their limits of experience. In a largely rural community, Avante offers an opportunity to meet other women, and discuss issues that concern them, where they can feel comfortable socializing in their own language. We aim to assist English women to reach their fullest potential, empowering themselves to become all they wish to be. Please drop in at 15 rue Du Pont, Bedford or call at 450-248-0530 to keep in touch with our services being offered. You can also visit our webpage – www.avantewomenscentre.org, or find us on Facebook.