Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Healthy Relationships: Children and Youth

Program name:

Especially for GIRLS (Girls Initiative Regarding Life Skills)

Organization:

Status of Women office

Location:

Makkovik, Newfoundland

Target Group:

Girls between the ages of 10 and 16

Contact Name:

Tracy Evans

Phone:

709-923-2368

Email:

tracy_evans@nunatsiavut.com

Website:

N/A

Program Overview
History:

The program started in the summer of 2011 and ran for 10 weeks. The program is in the process of evaluation to see if it will be offered again.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To have a safe place for girls to learn about the world around them and to be able to touch on subjects that aren't discussed in schools, including reducing violence and increasing personal safety.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

N/A

Components of program:

The program created youth groups that would meet once per week. Each session would focus on a different area of learning. The areas explored were: self-esteem, influence of the media, gender power and dating violence, bullying, communication conflict resolution and assertiveness, peer pressure, making healthy choices and leadership. The program had seven coordinators, each being responsible for a community participating in the program.

Services/How they work:

Services are provided on site at the facility.

Funding:

The funding came from the Tasiujatsoak Trust, which is supported by a nickel mine.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

N/A

Partners:

Violence Prevention Labrador; and the Department of Health and Social Development.

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

An evaluation is in process.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

N/A

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured against the feedback of clients who have participated in the programming.

Achievements:

N/A

Challenges:

Holding the program over the summer made it difficult to gain participant enrolment due to conflicts with families going on vacations, and other summer programs in the area.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. No advice has been given.

Resources:

Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.