Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

A new wellness and creativity event is set to offer women a space for self-reconnection and
empowerment. Un Temps pour Elle, a unique occasion dedicated to sacred feminine energy
and personal well-being, is the vision of Sophie Durand, CEO of Créations Sophistiquées.
Organized in collaboration with Anne-Claire Benoit Joffroy, the gathering will take place on
March 16, at Centre Aydelu, 94 Rue du Patrimoine in Aylmer, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bringing together 33 exhibitors—including artisans, authors, and creators—the salon will feature
creative workshops, yoga, meditation, and interactive experiences designed to help women
awaken an often-overlooked inner power. The event is free to attend, with specialized
workshops available for a registration fee, ensuring a rich and personalized experience.

Beyond personal well-being, Un Temps pour Elle is also a call for solidarity. Durand and her
team are using the event as a platform to raise funds for L’Autre chez soi, a shelter supporting
women and children affected by domestic violence. “This cause is deeply personal to me,” said
Durand. “I have experienced it myself, and I know how much violence can destroy lives. We
need to break the silence and extend a helping hand to those who need it. Together, we can
make a difference.”

Funds raised will go toward setting up a dedicated wellness and training room at the shelter,
providing a space for healing and rebuilding. Visitors can contribute by purchasing raffle tickets
for a chance to win a gift basket donated by artisans and sponsors. All proceeds from the raffle,
along with a portion of sales from the on-site café, will go directly to L’Autre Chez Soi.

Durand expressed her gratitude to those supporting the initiative, including her assistant, Carole
Lynn Puckett, and co-organizer Anne-Claire Benoit Joffroy. She also gave special thanks to her
three daughters, Kassandra, Vanessa and Véronique, for their unwavering support. “I couldn’t
do this without them,” she said. “Their belief in me gives me the strength to keep moving
forward.”

As Un Temps pour Elle approaches, Durand hopes the event will not only provide a moment of
peace and inspiration but also serve as a reminder that empowerment and compassion go hand
in hand. “When women come together with purpose and heart, incredible things happen,” she
said. “This event is about lifting each other up, and I believe its impact will extend far beyond
just one day.”

Photo: France Dubois, director of L’Autre Chez Soi (left), and Sophie Durand, director of Les
Créations Sophistiquées (right), come together in support of women’s empowerment and well-
being at Un Temps pour Elle. (TF) Photo: Halyssia Jean