In Airdrie, North Rocky View Community Links (NRVCL) offers programs and resources for families involved in the cycle of family violence. Alberta has marked Family Violence Prevention Month each November since 1986 after it started as a grassroots effort in Hinton.
“No single organization or sector is going to solve family violence,” Minister of Human Services Irfan Sabir said in a release issued Nov. 2. “Everyone has a role in ending this complex social issue. Recognizing the warning signs, and knowing how to support family, friends, neighbours and co-workers is a solid start.”
NRVCL provides families in crisis with a variety of support services including individual and family crisis support through the Family Violence Prevention Counsellor, support for parents, the provision of education, information and resources on a variety of topics and appropriate referrals within the agency or to agencies elsewhere in the community.
According to information published by NRVCL on their website, the organization Community Links provides comprehensive support to 125 to 200 individuals affected by family violence each year. As well, its school programs bring education about the signs and effects of family violence to 400 to 500 children and youth each year.
Protecting Our Women with Emergency Resources (P.O.W.E.R.) is a group of residents working towards attaining non-profit status and, ultimately, to building an emergency shelter to the community.
Crystal Boys with P.O.W.E.R. said the group close to achieving non-profit status.
“We just sent in the last piece of paperwork and it shouldn’t be too long now,” she said. “The next step is we’re going to start fundraising and really putting some pressure on looking for either some land or a building. We’re just feeling things out at the moment but as soon as we get our status we’ll be aggressive in that area.”
Boys said the group will also be looking for new members as soon as they are granted non-profit status.
P.O.W.E.R is helping to bring awareness to Family Violence Prevention Month in a very simple way.
“We got together and made a bunch of purple ribbons for awareness for this month,” she said. “They are available at a few (places) in Airdrie – Summerhill Florist, Angela Pitt’s MLA office, Forever Keepsakes and the Hair Lounge. Go in and grab one – they’re free for the taking.”
