VICTORIA, British Columbia, February 8, 2008 — The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding for the Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre, as part of the Government of Canada's partnership approach with not-for-profit organizations to enhance the quality of life in communities.
The Centre will receive close to $105,000 to expand and share the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIPs) project with five other organizations in Victoria. TIPs will help these organizations respond more effectively in supporting youth who are experiencing trauma as a result of sexual violence.
"The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to children, families and communities. With our support, community organizations can develop innovative solutions that will respond more effectively to the needs of the community. The Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre will work with other organizations to expand services to youth who are survivors of sexual violence," said Minister Lunn.
Through the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Government supports community not-for-profit organizations to benefit children, families and communities across Canada.
The Government of Canada recognizes the important social and economic role that the not for-profit sector plays in strengthening the nation. Community not-for-profit organizations employ 2 million people, involve 12 million volunteers and contribute $135 billion to the economy.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
backgrounder
Trauma-Informed Practice (TIPS) for Youth-Serving Agencies
Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre
The Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre (VWSAC) will disseminate the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIPS) to five youth-serving organizations in Victoria to increase their ability to respond to youth who are struggling with the impacts of trauma due to sexual abuse and violence. The Centre will design curriculum and deliver five workshops that will summarize recent research on the psycho-biological impact of trauma, provide information on sexualized violence and its impact on survivors, and share skills and strategies on how to respond effectively to youth survivors of sexual violence. Youth workers have the tools and skills necessary to help youth deal with the effects of sexualized violence and trauma.
This project will allow VWSAC to provide community and agency-specific training that will reflect the unique aspects of services for youth in Victoria. In addition to the curriculum and workshops, articles will be submitted to conferences in western Canada, and for publication in mental health, anti-violence and youth journals and newsletters.
Social Development Partnerships Program
Supporting Innovation in the Community Not-For-Profit Sector
Funding for this project is being delivered through the Voluntary Sector Strategy component of the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP). The SDPP supports the Government of Canada's overarching social goals to enhance the quality of life and promote the full participation of all Canadians in all aspects of Canadian society.
Under the Voluntary Sector Strategy, HRSDC is supporting innovation in the community non profit sector. While the sector's capacity to innovate is long-established, sharing information about innovative ways to develop and deliver services is a challenge because of the sector's size and diversity.
Pilot projects that share proven innovations with at least five other organizations in communities across Canada are being funded. Areas of particular interest are innovative services to vulnerable populations and creative approaches by which organizations mobilize their collective resources to increase program efficiency and effectiveness. Funded organizations assist their partner organizations to adapt and implement proven innovative approaches to delivering services to individual Canadians.
