July 16, 2009
Kenora, ONTARIO – The Government of Canada is proud to provide support to a project that will equip girls and young women in the Kenora area and neighbouring First Nations communities to protect themselves from violence and make healthy lifestyle choices. On behalf of the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), Mr. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made the announcement today in Kenora.
Women's Place Kenora, a resource centre owned and operated by women for the past 30 years, is receiving $64,322 over 12 months for its project, Safe Spaces and SafeTeen: Creating a New Culture of Non-Violence with Kenora-Area Youth.
The project provides intensive five-day SafeTeen Train-the-Trainer seminars to youth workers and other adults, preparing them to conduct SafeTeen workshops and to apply the principles to their daily work with youth. The workshops, which are offered in schools and low-income neighbourhoods, equip participants to defuse dangerous situations and avoid conflict, bullying and assault.
"This project addresses our priority issue of ending violence against women and girls by enabling girls and young women from the Kenora region and neighbouring First Nations communities to protect themselves and their peers from violence," said Minister Guergis. "I am proud of our Government's support for projects like Safe Spaces and SafeTeen, which will help foster a culture of non-violence and empower women to make positive and lasting changes in their lives."
"This project is already making a difference in the lives of local teens and young women," said Mr. Rickford. "I am so pleased to see the hard work of Women's Place Kenora being acknowledged by the Government of Canada. With this funding, I know they will continue to contribute meaningfully to the lives of women and girls across the riding."
"Violence against women remains an all too prevalent problem," said Ms. Erika Olson, Executive Director of Women's Place Kenora. "For this reason, we are pleased to have the support and endorsement of the Government of Canada for this project that will directly benefit 175 women, and indirectly benefit many more, as we work to create safer communities for women and girls."
Funding for the Safe Spaces and SafeTeen: Creating a New Culture of Non-Violence with Kenora-Area Youth project comes from the Women's Community Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Sherine Mansour
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women)
819-956-4000
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
