Portraits of Caring
A campaign to promote the good works of great youth in Greater Victoria
In the spring of 2020. Our Place worked with celebrated local artist, Elfrida Schragen to present Admired: Portraits of Influential Women. Elfrida’s 40 portraits featured dozens of admired women from Greater Victoria who have achieved notoriety in a variety of areas, including Community Connections: Carolyne Taylor, Politics: Lisa Helps; Theatre: Lina De Guevera; Religion: Shana Lynngood; Business: Catherine Holt; Media: Leslie Campbell; Education: Dawn Smith; Arts: Carol Sabiston; Health: Dr. Bonnie Henry, Indigenous Leadership: Florence Dick – Songhees Nation…
The campaign provided some very positive messages during very challenging times and we received over $47,000 in donations and so many positive accolades.
Click here to view the CHEK TV feature
With the success of our Admired campaign, we are embarking on a similar campaign for next spring (or beyond). It is an opportunity to again celebrate people who make lives better in Greater Victoria. Elfrida is returning to immortalize 25-30 youth (ages 18-25) who are making, or have made significant contributions to social services by improving nourishment, hope and belonging in our region.
We are reaching out to schools, community groups, businesses, government and charities to find and celebrate these young leaders (see attached nomination form).
As with admired, the portraits with be presented online on www.hibid.ca and will be either available for sale or donors can pay tribute to the portrait(s) they identify with though a donation. If possible, the portraits will be displayed publicly for a period.
We are providing sponsorships to local businesses and community groups who wish to brand themselves supporters of this campaign and of Our Place.
For more information and to be involved in the campaign, please contact me. During these challenging times, it is vital that we support our youth and our community.
Steven Seltzer
Manager of Special Events and Corporate Giving
Our Place Society
250-940-5064 stevens@ourplacesociety.com
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Admired: Portraits of Influential Women
Special Update:
Thank you to everyone who purchased a portrait or made a donation; to our Admired portrait subjects for participating and a very special thank you to Elfrida Schragen who made this all possible. Elfrida used her artistic gifts to make our community a better place! We are proud to announce that we have raised $46,000!
Please note, Dr. Bonnie Henry has purchased one of the two paintings that Elfrida has painted of her. The other portrait will ve auctioned off as part of our Virtual Hungry Hearts gala fundraiser. Click here or details.
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Looking back….
We have extended the deadline of our Admired campaign to the end of July with the additions of Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr.Mary-Wynne Ashford. Please click on the link to our online gallery to view these special portraits and honor them by making a donation.
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You are invited to the unveiling of 40 portraits of amazing female leaders in our region. This online gallery was created by artist Elfrida Schragen as a unique project to benefit Our Place Society. After spending time with each subject, Eflrida created portraits that reflect their personality and story. Visit and be inspired!
“I painted these portraits to honour women in my community whom I, and others, find admirable and effective in whatever they do in life.”
All the money raised will support the vital work Our Place offers to some of Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable women struggling with poverty, mental or physical challenges, or homelessness.
Thanks to the support and co-operation of her subjects, Elfrida’s portraits feature dozens of admired women from Greater Victoria who have achieved notoriety in a variety of areas, including: Community Connections: Carolyne Taylor, Politics: Lisa Helps; Theatre: Lina De Guevera; Religion: Shana Lynngood; Business: Catherine Holt; Media: Leslie Campbell; Education: Dawn Smith; Arts: Carol Sabiston; Indigenous Leadership: Florence Dick – Songhees Nation.
Ready to be Inspired… and Help Women in Your Community?
Please visit the Our Place Online Gallery to check out each portrait and read their story.
Then, decide which of the women portrayed you would like to pay tribute to by making an online donation to Our Place Society. We are hoping to reach the goal of $1,000 for each portrait. Perhaps consider forming a group to reach that goal? All bidders will be invited to a future art show of the completed portraits and will receive a tax deductible receipt.
Funds raised will support the Women in Progress project and our Next Steps to Employment program. In its first year, the Next Steps job readiness program saw 106 participants graduate, and 60% have been hired or are in work experience programs. The unique Women in Progress project was developed by manager, Ashley MacDonald. It invites those who identify as female to complete customized skills training sessions, and ensures they feel safe, confident and encouraged to take the ‘next steps’ to a better future for themselves and their families.
