RJ Lundquist

Dear friends and colleagues,

It has been a privilege to serve as a Board member throughout this remarkable journey with the Centre. I will now transition into the role of Past President, where I look forward to continuing my support for the Centre’s important work.

We have made significant strides in supporting survivors of gender-based violence. After decades of proven expertise in assisting victims of sexual assault, Surrey Women’s Centre has been awarded funding for Surrey’s first Sexual Assault Centre, which will provide trauma-informed, wraparound, and culturally safe services. While the Centre is scheduled to officially open in November 2025, we have already made substantial progress in 2023-2024 through collaboration with our existing partners, Fraser Health and Surrey RCMP. Your ongoing support will be crucial as we work to fully operationalize this vital initiative.

We are proud of our newly formed partnership with WomenattheCentrE, a grassroots Black women’s organization in Ontario. This partnership brought us back in touch with our founding Executive Director, Sonya Boyce to honor Black activists during Black History Month, fighting for justice at the intersections of race and gender.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible donors, remarkable staff, and dedicated leaders—Shahnaz, Samantha, and Neelam. Without each of you, this essential work at Surrey Women’s Centre would not be possible.

Warm regards,

Roni-Jane Lundquist (RJ) 

Shahnaz Rahman

A Year of Milestones and New Horizons.

This past year marked a significant chapter in our journey. We were successful in our bid to open Surrey’s first sexual assault centre, 1 of only 5 in BC. We are so happy to collaborate with our partners in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George and Kamloops. Together with the invaluable perspectives with our partners in medical, legal and police settings, we are carefully planning an enhanced model of wrap around services for survivors of sexual assault in Surrey.

The Need for Continued, Continued Financial Support.

As we move forward, securing flexible funding remains essential to sustain and expand our services. Your continued financial support allows us to strengthen our internal capacity, fortify our collaborations, and focus on delivering empowering, meaningful interventions for survivors of gender-based violence. Our commitment to creating a safer, more supportive community depends on this lifeline of resources.

A Glimpse into Our Impact.

In this report, we’re excited to share key program achievements, stories of resilience from our incredible staff, and inspiring accounts of how your contributions make a lasting difference. Among our successes is the Jane Doe Legal Clinic, which continues to grow, thanks to the generosity of Christine LaLiberte and her friends. Their contributions are enabling greater access to justice for our community’s most vulnerable members.

Gratitude for Our Supportive Community.

We are deeply grateful to our Board, our hardworking staff, and our committed volunteers. A special thanks to RJ for her impactful leadership and guidance over the past several years. RJ’s continued involvement as Past President reassures us that we will not lose her invaluable experiences and visionary leadership at our Board table.

And to you, our donors—thank you. Your support is the lifeline for so many. We invite you to join us in continuing this vital work and helping us make lasting change.

With heartfelt thanks,

Shahnaz Rahman

Executive Director