News Release

R+R gets a new boost of funding

On 23rd April 2008, Ida Chong, BC Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues, announced new funding of $500,000 to SWOVA to continue their unique work during the next school year.

The new funding will provide training and continued program delivery of R+R to approximately 3,000 grades 7 to 10 students, enabling their participation in workshops over the next year. In addition to the Gulf Islands, the following school districts will receive training, support and/or money for program implementation: Prince George; Valemount/McBride; Port Alberni; Gold Trail; Cowichan; Boundary; and Kamloops.

PRESS RELEASE – PASS....IT....ON

SWOVA has just received $126,000 from Status of Women Canada, and $20,000 from the Proceeds of Crime/Civil Forfeiture program, for an exciting new project called ‘Pass...it...On’. This funding will provide the means to pilot test a model of adult women supporting and mentoring young women who then mentor and support younger girls- hence, ‘pass-it-on.

The project will start by asking girls and young women to explore and prioritize the top four risky behaviours that are currently threatening their health and safety in our community and leave them vulnerable to violence and abuse. We will then develop locally-based strategies to address these behaviours. We will train women to mentor young women who will in turn mentor girls at risk.

About SWOVA

SWOVA Community Development and Research Society is a non-profit society and registered charity in British Columbia. Its members are women and men who work for social change, helping to create a world where women and children are valued and able to live without fear of violence and abuse.

The mandate of SWOVA is

To work to prevent violence.

To develop community solutions to violence.

To promote research into violence issues.

To support and enhance violence prevention in the schools.

The objectives of the society are

To conduct research in order to better understand the complex issues surrounding violence and abuse against women and children.

To educate the public about violence and abuse issues through media, workshops, vigils, letter writing campaigns, etc.

And to work within our community to eliminate violence and to empower local girls and women.

Our Policy on Inclusiveness
As a society, SWOVA acknowledges the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We strive to foster a world that honours diversity. SWOVA is an equality-seeking society. We actively oppose all forms of discrimination based on sex, race, sexual orientation, age, spiritual choice, or ability. SWOVA works to re-dress the unequal distribution of power, resources, and privilege, that we see in society. We actively work in the community and schools to stop oppression in all forms, including sexism, racism, and homophobia.

 

 

"Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society's margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies."
--Kofi Annan

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