November 10, 2007 Discover the Path…
A Touchstone for Health and Wellness
8 Caroline St. W.
Creemore, Ontario
L0M1G0
Dear Friends,
It will soon be three years since the passing of my Dear Friend Gyma Dawson. Although it hardly seems possible
to accept that a young and vital life could have ended, the passing of time makes this reality concrete. Her loss to
our community is indeed immeasurable.
The house in Singhampton, ‘The Lighthouse’ as another dear friend calls it, stands empty and forlorn. I had
thought to sell the house and invest in other things that may or may not bring help to the community we serve but
this has not happened.
There was a time when Gyma and I had a dream. We hoped to make Singhampton’s ‘Lighthouse’ a resource
centre for women. In part we were successful in getting things underway but like many hopes and dreams, they
were dashed with the death of Gyma. This is not the first time that we have had to overcome obstacles, including
death but since I have not been able to move on selling the property, I must realize that indeed the dream should
go on.
This letter is not asking for money specifically, although all donations are welcome, but help in securing the
resources to create that sanctuary for women. We had planned to welcome all women who felt lost and alone but I
realize that there must be a focus to the work.
I was recently approached by a research analyst who would be willing to work with our group to gather grants and
resources to rebuild the Resource Centre and Sanctuary for women who are Survivors of Childhood Sexual
Abuse. If you read Gyma’s story ( Profiles in Courage) you will know that she was a survivor as are many other
women. There is no adequate number of resources in Ontario for these women and certainly no home-like
residential facility.
There is such a precedent for a combination of services including Alternative and Complimentary Therapies
already located in Saskatoon. (http://www.tamarashouse.com) It has been a wonderful resource for that
community. My goal is to create such a place in Ontario that will be the intermediary service between home r other
Mental Health Facilities that lack the ‘home’ atmosphere for women in Southern Ontario. In the Greater Toronto
Area the Barbara Schlieffer Clinic and CAMH serve that community.
The cost of hiring an analyst would fall under ‘seed grant’ resources. I wish to explore this resource or any other
that would help to make Gyma’s Dream into Gyma’s Place for women. If anyone who reads this letter knows of
access to resources that would enable this dream to be a reality, please email me at iinformation @ discover the
path.ca .
I also welcome comments and stories from women who are survivors. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome
and any ideas that would help. To create a service that is indeed unique to the needs expressed would be the
best memorium to someone who lived a life truly as an inspiration to others.
Gratefully,
Judith Andrade, RN RLC DD
705-466-2387
A Touchstone for Health and Wellness
8 Caroline St. W.
Creemore, Ontario
L0M1G0
Dear Friends,
It will soon be three years since the passing of my Dear Friend Gyma Dawson. Although it hardly seems possible
to accept that a young and vital life could have ended, the passing of time makes this reality concrete. Her loss to
our community is indeed immeasurable.
The house in Singhampton, ‘The Lighthouse’ as another dear friend calls it, stands empty and forlorn. I had
thought to sell the house and invest in other things that may or may not bring help to the community we serve but
this has not happened.
There was a time when Gyma and I had a dream. We hoped to make Singhampton’s ‘Lighthouse’ a resource
centre for women. In part we were successful in getting things underway but like many hopes and dreams, they
were dashed with the death of Gyma. This is not the first time that we have had to overcome obstacles, including
death but since I have not been able to move on selling the property, I must realize that indeed the dream should
go on.
This letter is not asking for money specifically, although all donations are welcome, but help in securing the
resources to create that sanctuary for women. We had planned to welcome all women who felt lost and alone but I
realize that there must be a focus to the work.
I was recently approached by a research analyst who would be willing to work with our group to gather grants and
resources to rebuild the Resource Centre and Sanctuary for women who are Survivors of Childhood Sexual
Abuse. If you read Gyma’s story ( Profiles in Courage) you will know that she was a survivor as are many other
women. There is no adequate number of resources in Ontario for these women and certainly no home-like
residential facility.
There is such a precedent for a combination of services including Alternative and Complimentary Therapies
already located in Saskatoon. (http://www.tamarashouse.com) It has been a wonderful resource for that
community. My goal is to create such a place in Ontario that will be the intermediary service between home r other
Mental Health Facilities that lack the ‘home’ atmosphere for women in Southern Ontario. In the Greater Toronto
Area the Barbara Schlieffer Clinic and CAMH serve that community.
The cost of hiring an analyst would fall under ‘seed grant’ resources. I wish to explore this resource or any other
that would help to make Gyma’s Dream into Gyma’s Place for women. If anyone who reads this letter knows of
access to resources that would enable this dream to be a reality, please email me at iinformation @ discover the
path.ca .
I also welcome comments and stories from women who are survivors. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome
and any ideas that would help. To create a service that is indeed unique to the needs expressed would be the
best memorium to someone who lived a life truly as an inspiration to others.
Gratefully,
Judith Andrade, RN RLC DD
705-466-2387
When the house was first purchased, it was loved by both of us. Gyma wanted a home with hardwood floors
and a fireplace. Fire, for her, had a wonderful healing quality. She understood that fire was necessary for
transformation. Looking into the embers and flames allowed her in some way to find her healing path.
I, on the other hand wanted a place close to the river. For me, water is the healing agent. It seems easy to
send my thoughts out to the river and feel like the water is carrying them away and cleansing at the same time.
Many of the decorations in the house contain the symbol of Kokopelli, the mischievious symbol of the
Southwest natives.
There is also a connection to other mythological creatures, like Loki, Mercury or Hermes, the Pied Piper of
Hamelin or the court jester of years gone by. There is a perpetual youthful quality to the symbol. Many
survivors who have lost their childhood through no fault of their own, often cling to that inner child in a
protective way and so I have chosen Kokopelli as a symbol of hope and a symbol of the inner child waiting to
be freed from the constraints of the past.
Check back here for updates and progress on our efforts to get support for this project.
and a fireplace. Fire, for her, had a wonderful healing quality. She understood that fire was necessary for
transformation. Looking into the embers and flames allowed her in some way to find her healing path.
I, on the other hand wanted a place close to the river. For me, water is the healing agent. It seems easy to
send my thoughts out to the river and feel like the water is carrying them away and cleansing at the same time.
Many of the decorations in the house contain the symbol of Kokopelli, the mischievious symbol of the
Southwest natives.
There is also a connection to other mythological creatures, like Loki, Mercury or Hermes, the Pied Piper of
Hamelin or the court jester of years gone by. There is a perpetual youthful quality to the symbol. Many
survivors who have lost their childhood through no fault of their own, often cling to that inner child in a
protective way and so I have chosen Kokopelli as a symbol of hope and a symbol of the inner child waiting to
be freed from the constraints of the past.
Check back here for updates and progress on our efforts to get support for this project.
gymasplace">To help our project get underway please vote in your support