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APHRODITE'S ROOTS
HOW IT BEGAN
"...a continuation of a legacy, a weaving of the old and new, a remembrance of those who came before us, and grief for what was lost and never will be."
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Growing up, my grandmother's house was the hub where family and friends gathered from near and far. Her dining room table was the container that held everything — celebration, food, secrets, and stories.
One of the things that was so beautiful about my Yiayia was how she welcomed everyone as they were. And no matter what kinds of "trouble" I got myself into, she never withheld her love for me.
But behind her warmth resided deep pain, shaped by a time and culture where abuse was normalized, and healing rarely spoken of. In her final years, I witnessed bits and pieces of untold stories creep to the surface, and it was heart wrenching to watch.
Part of my life's work is to honour her spirit –– her authenticity, the comforting elements of my Greek culture, and the sacrifices she made — by creating spaces that are a conscious reflection of my dear Yiayia's dining room table.
Thus, Aphrodite Health symbolizes a continuation of a legacy, a weaving of the old and new, a remembrance of those who came before us, and grief for what was lost and never will be. It's a stride toward liberating ourselves from generational patterns and cultivating new ways of being, anchored in truth, courage, and embodiment.
With love & courage,
Melissa
Afroditi Klimis
1928 - 2023
Meet the Founder
Melissa Vrouvides is a community organizer, women’s group facilitator, and the founder of Aphrodite Health, a women’s community-centred initiative based in Montréal. Her work is rooted in devotion to women’s healing—returning to the body, our cyclical nature, and honoring the many seasons and transitions that shape the female journey.
With training in somatic work, nervous system–based approaches, therapeutic arts, and psychedelic harm reduction, Melissa’s work weaves together relational healing, creative expression, and approaches informed by depth psychology. She is deeply interested in how the mind, body, and spirit intersect in women’s lived experience, and how community can become the vessel that holds that exploration.
Melissa’s vision for Aphrodite Health is to create living, breathing, multigenerational spaces where women can gather with other women, learn from one another, and reconnect to the intelligence of the female body.
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Melissa Vrouvides
Naturotherapist (ACNN)
Founder, Aphrodite Health
Our Village
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We are grateful for the women who generously share their time, skills, and creativity with our community.
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out via info@aphroditehealth.co
Horticulturist
Josiane Philion
Josie has been part of Aphrodite Health since the very beginning, serving as a pillar of our community. A horticulturist and true lover of plants, animals, food, and culture, she embodies a profound relationship with the earth. Her deep empathy and connection to nature infuse our work with beauty, grounding, and care.
Artist
Leila Labadie
Leila joined the Aphrodite Health's team as a volunteer after recognizing the value of community and sisterhood. She has a passion for healing the mind, body and spirit and integrates her experiences through her artwork.
Follow along her artistic journey via @holdthevision.art