News
July 19, 2010- We are very happy to announce that The Shield of Athena was one of the presenters at the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 13, 2010. The conference is part of an ongoing series of conferences dating back to 1981. The focus of this year’s conference was on research studies where researchers, scientists and service providers shared their acquired knowledge on family violence.
The Shield of Athena’s director, Melpa Kamateros and co-ordinator Polly Tsonis presented in the workshop entitled “Community assessment of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment”. Their presentation consisted of an overview of the organization’s first 3 public awareness campaigns and their impact in changing perceptions in ethnic communities about family violence, the police procedure and the use of resources.
June 4, 2010- Chris Ann Nakis, owner of Baton Rouge de la Montagne welcomed over 200 guests Wednesday night for the Shield of Athena’s 2010-2011 Membership Campaign Launch. Nearly $25 000 was raised for the organization’s multilingual support, prevention and intervention services to victims of family violence. Follow the link for the complete press release. Photos
April 27, 2010: For National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, a federal symposium was held in Ottawa on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Old City Hall. The Shield of Athena Family Services was honoured to be part of this very enriching and memorable event in the company of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, law enforcement agencies and victims’ rights organizations. The Shield of Athena's presentation was entitled “ Providing Responsive Services to Victims of Crime”. Executive Director, Melpa Kamateros and co-ordinators, Maud Pontel and Polly Tsonis presented on the Shield of Athena’s network of services to women and children victims of family violence, including the organization’s four public awareness campaigns.
December 2, 2009. The entire team at the Shield of Athena Family Services is proud to announce that President Pearl Eliadis is the winner of the Montreal Council of Women’s “Woman of the Year Award” for 2009. Congratulations!
December 2, 2009. The Shield of Athena's launch of a multilingual help line in Laval makes the front page of the Laval News.
November 28, 2009. The Shield of Athena's new multilingual line for Laval resources for sexual abuse victims receives mention in the Greek language newspaper Ta Nea, page 11.
November 24, 2009. Launch of the multilingual Laval line for victims of sexual assault. At Laval Police headquarters, the Shield of Athena launched its Laval phone line as part of the campaign on sexual assault “Do you have a secret?". Press release and Photos
November 11, 2009. The Suburban, p. 16 covers the Shield's Art Auction.
November 10, 2009. Honourary Co–Chairs Tom & Gwen Nacos thank supporters and 400 plus guests who attended the 16th Annual Art Auction on Sunday, November 8, 2009. Special guest, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, opened the auction along with auctioneers Demetrius Manolakos and Eramelinda Boquer, raising nearly $100,000 for victims of family violence. Press Release and Photos
November 9, 2009. Mike Boone's article in the Gazette. An interview with the Shield's Executive Director, Melpa Kamateros.
November 2, 2009. The Shield of Athena, received the prestigious Prix Plaidoyer-Victimes on Thursday October 29 2009. More than 100 people were present at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Montreal to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of Plaidoyer Victimes, an association whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of victims of criminal acts. Press release
October 13, 2009. At a press conference today at City Hall, the Shield of Athena Family Services introduced the 16th Annual Art Auction. Presentations were made by Municipal councillor Mary Deros, President Pearl Eliadis and Executive Director Melpa Kamateros. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, artists, members and CTV that came to support our cause. Press Release
September 24, 2009. "Safe at Home": Cycle Two students from Dunrae Gardens Elementary School in T.M.R. will be participating in the Shield's 16th Annual Art Auction at Marché Bonsecours on November 8. The students will paint artwork with the theme Safe at Home to showcase efforts to support non-violence for children in the home environment. The project is coordinated by education students who are doing their practicum with teacher Litsa Pelonis. (Adapted from Fielding Focus: Vol. 12, No 2).
September 15, 2009. The Shield launched its new campaign on sexual violence: "Do you have a secret?". The event was held at Tudor Hall and broadcast by CTV's Herb Luft on CTV News. It was also covered by the Journal de Montréal, 24H Montreal, and The Suburban, pp. 7-8. With 110-plus in attendance, we thank the media and the many community organizations that made the event a success. Press release and Photos.
August 16, 2009. Our shelter, Athena's House, held its first Annual Bazaar at St. Nicholas Church. It was organized by our shelter worker, Angela Paradissis.
June 24, 2009. An article appeared in Corriere Italiano about the Shield of Athena's information session on family violence held in Italian at the Leonardo da Vinci Center.
May 20, 2009. "Shield of Athena vital to community" explains Joel Goldenberg on page 12 of The Suburban.
May 13, 2009. Hosted by Chris-Ann Nakis' Bâton Rouge team, the Shield launched its membership drive at a sold-out dinner event. With 200 plus in attendance, keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire Trudeau discussed her passionate advocacy for women and children and the right to be free from violence. Also speaking were Executive Director Melpa Kamateros and President Pearl Eliadis. Event sponsor Air Canada Kid's Horizons offered two round trip tickets to anywhere in North America. Read more.
March 26, 2009. Melpa Kamateros is interviewed in Katherine Wilton's article "System must do a better job" in the Montreal Gazette. Kamateros notes an increase in the number of immigrant women coming to the shelter, which she attributes to successful outreach programs her organization has done with the different ethnic communities to educate them and their families about conjugal violence.
March 18, 2009. Scotiabank's Jean Talon West Branch presented the Shield of Athena with a cheque for $20,000. The entire branch staff joined forces to raise funds through various activities that took place at their branch. We would like to thank them all for their hard work, enthusiasm, outstanding determination and compassion for our cause.
January 19, 2009. Executive Director Melpa Kamateros and the Shield's Maud Pontel participated in the launch of a $1.1 million multi-media campaign yesterday encouraging family members who have witnessed conjugal violence to come forward. Ms Kamateros was interviewed by Cheryl Cornacchia in the article on conjugal violence, "Don't turn blind eye, video urges", in the Montreal Gazette.
November 23, 2008. The Shield was featured by Jennifer Campbell, Social Notes columnist in "Good Girl Bonding": Auction Extraordinaire" that appeared in the Montreal Gazette:
"... we move now to historic Marché Bonsecours, for the Shield of Athena Family Services 15th annual special edition art auction benefit. Attended by a record-breaking 450 guests (including driving forces Consul General of Greece Maria Karnoutsou, honorary chairpeople Gwen (founder of Cedars CanSupport) and Tom Nacos, honoured guest Madam Justice Dionysia Zerbisias, Shield president Pearl Eliadis and auctioneer Eramelinda Boquer) the glittering celebration of art (hundreds of exquisite pieces were up for live and silent auction) raised over $100,000."
November 2, 2008. The Shield held its 15th Annual Art Auction at Marché Bonsecours. With a record-breaking 450 plus guests in attendance, the Art Auction was once again our major annual fundraising event. It featured 42 artists and 112 works, as well as an exciting silent auction featuring original jewellery, sculpture, fur coats, objets, vintage wine and certificates at Montreal's best restaurants.
October 2008. The Shield thanks Furi Designs for its generous donation of winter coats for the women residents of Athena’s House. Furi Design creations are inspired by an exquisite attention to detail, quality materials, and fine craftsmanship sourced from around the globe. The Furi Design team has over 20 yrs of combined experience providing private label design and production of ladies outerwear to Canada and US retailers.
September 2008. The Shield was featured in Le Journal du Barreau, no. 9 in "Violence conjugale : Briser les tabous et informer les communautés culturelles" by journalist Myriam Jézéquel. The article can be viewed at: http://www.barreau.qc.ca/pdf/journal/vol40/200809.pdf.
July 17, 2008. The Shield recieved $5,000 donation from the Toskan Casale Foundation. Many thanks for its generous contribution to our grassroot organization!
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