We are finding that a lot of people just won't answer their doors even after a couple of attempts. This is embarrassing for the person as well as for us. So far, we are getting into about two percent of the homes. On one side of a small street not one person answered their door. Betty and Cathy could see the people watching them when they went to the other side of the street. That's very discouraging. We suggested they leave the questionnaires in the mailbox and go back later to pick them up. They didn't want to do that so they'll try again.

The questions don't seem to be working out; people don't seem to understand them. So we are re-wording them as we go. This is working much better and it makes for a much more casual conversation.

Before we even started the survey, we believed that there was a need for programs specifically for women at the Centre. But we needed to confirm our belief by actually talking about it with women in the community. We asked them, "Would you as a woman like to be involved in programs with other women?"

Most of them said, "Yes." Many indicated that programs in general were good for women, if only to get them out of the house - sometimes without the children. Many women said such programs would keep them active, allow them to meet and get to know other women, keep them involved in and informed about their community. One woman who was recently divorced said that she never goes out and she would like to begin to live again.

Another woman we interviewed is involved with the Learners Program, the Women's Group, Kirby House (shelter for battered women and children), and Al-Anon. She said: "I'm going through a divorce. I was controlled by my husband. I find it difficult to be on my own, but the support I get from groups helps me to get on with my life."

Reflections - End of March 1992

People are still not answering their doors. When a man answers the door he will often say that the woman is not home, but we have a feeling she is. Many of the same issues are coming up again and again: abuse, isolation, childcare and household responsibilities, financial insecurity, lack of support from family, husband and community.

Sometimes it feels like a lot of women are not interested in anything outside their homes.

One woman, when asked about the Centre, talked about homosexuals keeping women from going to any centre. She was referring to the media representation of a recent "lesbian scare" at our local Women's Centre, which forced it to close. She went on to say: "My husband doesn't want me to go anywhere, there's no trust. Some men think women should stay home and tend on them."

Another woman responded to our questions about the Centre by asking, "What difference will it make if I get involved in outside activities or go to the Centre? Will it put food on my table? Will it pay my bills?"