Manpreet K Dhillon

Dear friends, colleagues and champions of the Surrey Women’s Centre,

As I write this report at the close of my first year as Board President of Surrey Women’s Centre, I am filled with both gratitude and resolve; gratitude for the unwavering dedication of our community and resolve for the work ahead. This past year has been one of significant progress, meaningful partnership, and quiet challenge. I am profoundly inspired by the strength of the survivors we serve, in awe of the resilience of our staff, and deeply appreciative of our Board, volunteers and donors who make this work possible.

To start, we have taken bold steps forward. Most notably, we are inching closer to opening Surrey’s first dedicated Sexual Assault Centre; a milestone in our province’s commitment to supporting survivors of sexual violence. While renovations on the physical space are still underway, the work of the Centre is already in motion. Surrey Women’s Centre continues to provide trauma-informed, wrap-around and culturally-safe services every day; ensuring that survivors receive the care, advocacy, and support they need, even before the doors officially open. The new hub will soon bring these vital services together under one roof, strengthening our ability to respond swiftly and compassionately to those who need us most.

In parallel, we maintain strong relationships with community partners across health, justice and social services. Together with our partners, we are building an ecosystem of care that supports survivors not just in moments of crisis, but along their longer healing journey.

And yet, this year was not without its difficulties. Demand for our services continues to grow, and the gap between need and capacity remains real. Our staff and volunteers have shown remarkable resilience as they navigate heavier caseloads, more complex needs, and organizational change associated with the new Centre. The renovation process itself has required strong oversight, patience and flexibility. Financial pressures continue to test us, and sustainable funding and flexible resources remain essential if we are to meet the promise of our vision.

As we move into the next year, our focus will be on effectively executing on our ongoing programs and commitments, maintaining strong community partnerships, and ensuring the wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, and always with a view to putting survivors first. 

I am honoured to serve as Board President in this chapter of our journey, and I look forward to seeing where we go from here.

With heartfelt thanks and optimism, 

Manpreet K Dhillon

Board President

Surrey Women’s Centre