The Violence Intervention Program based in
Weyburn will expand its program to include an educational support
group for children who have witnessed violence in the home.The Violence Intervention Program based in
Weyburn will expand its program to include an educational support
group for children who have witnessed violence in the home.
The V.I.P. program received a grant of $1200 from Municipal Government, a disbursement of casino profits from the Associated Entities Fund established by the provincial government.
The grant will fund the resources necessary to set up and begin the eight-week support group, said V.I.P. director Patt Lenover-Adams.
Some of the topics to be covered include self-esteem, anger, problem-solving and some education on family violence, she said, adding that it should be up and running by early February. Participants will also learn that violence is an ineffective method for solving problems, and will learn safe and effective problem-solving techniques.
"It's a self-awareness model. It's the first time the kids can talk with other kids who've experienced this," she said, adding that the grant will help bring in a facilitator to run the support group, and buy resources for the group to use.
Children can come to the group by self-referral, from other agencies (like Social Services) or from clients of the V.I.P. program, and "it has to be children who are safe to come to the program," said Ms. Lenover-Adams.
The need for such a support group came up as counsellors with V.I.P. were asked by clients if they could see their children as well, she said.
Violence Intervention saw over 300 clients last year, and had 226 women attending their support groups. There were 23 people sheltered (women and children) in 1997, and 15 were transported by volunteers and staff to transition houses in Moose Jaw and Regina. Arrangements for accommodation in Estevan and Weyburn were made for 45 clients.
Volunteers and staff with the program did 128 presentations throughout the year to schools, service clubs and the general public, covering such topics as partner abuse, bullying on the playground, dating violence and older person abuse.
The Associated Entities Fund was set up to distribute a portion of casino profits, with grants to community organizations for programs and services that support children, youth and families. Since 1997, five community organizations have received more than $17,000 in grants from the fund.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: production@weyburnreview.com
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.
