Nova Vita’s La Bella Notte promised an evening filled with beautiful fashions, inspiring stories of women in our community, an exciting live auction and delicious Italian-inspired food.
Held in honour of International Women’s Day, La Bella Notte was a new direction for Nova Vita this year. The fundraising event proved to be a tremendous success, selling out Brantford’s Rossini Lodge and delivering a wonderful mix of fashion, inspiration and female empowerment.
Millards Chartered Professional Accountants made a donation to the event that helped raise over $6,000 for Nova Vita, an organization providing essential services in Brantford and surrounding area.
Pam Merrylees, CPA, CA from Millards Chartered Professional Accountants says the local organization plays a vital role in our community.
“Nova Vita makes a real difference for those in need and Brantford should be proud of this one-of-kind not-for-profit. Nova Vita has been operating since 1983 and during that time they have offered hope and healing to thousands.”
Over 20,000 women, children, and men have engaged in various Nova Vita counselling programs since the organization began.
Katie Maas, Supervisor of Residential Services for Nova Vita says that Nova Vita’s 33-bed emergency shelter provides safe refuge for over 200 women and children every year, often operating at or above capacity.
“Last year 259 women and children stayed at Nova Vita. The average length of stay was 44 days. That’s approximately 11,500 times our beds were slept in last year alone.”
Two former clients of Nova Vita made heartfelt and powerful presentations to the sold-out crowd.
Sajwan, an immigrant from India in 2007, told the dramatic story of her abuse and the organization that helped her transition to a new life.
“I’m happy because I get out of my ex abuse and I am safe and alive now. It’s make me and my children’s life safe and it’s gave us new life.”
Austin Fowler also told his story. The young Brantford resident was a Nova Vita client in his teens and now gives back as a volunteer.
“Now I work with kids that are just like me, who grew up in a home where domestic violence was the regular occurrence. I listen to their stories, and I talk to them because I understand their story. I lived their story.”
In addition to the client stories, the La Bella Notte 2016 program included an auction and fashion show.
The fashion show featured local stores and models showcasing their clothing and accessories in support of Nova Vita. The sponsors included Debbie’s Basic Black, The Cheshire Cat, Closet Couture, Nina – Brie and Trends On The Grand.
The well received event ended with Linda Lega, The Auctionista, leveraging her unique style to motivate and entertain the receptive crowd. Lega’s high energy presentation resulted in a fund raising effort exceeding expectations and raising essential funds for Nova Vita’s programs.
Watch the highlight video showing the “best of” moments, fashion and fun of Nova Vita’s La Bella Notte!
Leave A Comment