Yukon
Violence Prevention Grants

Yukon Family Services Association, Whitehorse (2007) $20,000
“Outreach to Young Women at Risk" provides outreach to young women who are substance users and have experienced violence and abuse. Support is provided through a weekly drop-in service in partnership with the women’s centre, and the “No Fixed Address” outreach van. A female counsellor provides advocacy, support, information, counselling and referral services to young women to encourage positive life choices, harm reduction and safety. The outreach van allows the counsellor to connect with young women and encourage them to access support services or the drop-in program, while the weekly drop-in provides information, support, counselling and referrals. Women who visit the drop-in are also provided with a hot meal, shower, and educational/fun activities. At least 200 women are expected to participate.

Liard Aboriginal Women’s Society, Watson Lake, Yukon (2007) $19,340
Young Aboriginal women in Canada are at least five times more likely than all other women to die as a result of violence. In addition, rates of spousal violence are higher in the territories than in the provinces. “A Vision of Power" puts the power of change in the hands of women who have experienced domestic violence. This 16-week domestic violence leadership initiative works with 12 women and trains them in community development and policy-making. Training includes strength-based approaches to domestic violence advocacy, traditional mediation and conflict resolution, colonization and violence against women, power and empowerment in policy making and resisting oppression in the social services system. Women also learn life skills in assertiveness, self-esteem and stress management. Participants spend eight weeks brainstorming and planning a domestic violence strategic plan and then work with community groups, First Nations leaders and the town council to implement these initiatives in the community.

Yukon Women’s Transition House and Society, Whitehorse: $23,000 (2005)
The CWF grant was used to complete the first phase of the Children Who Witness Abuse (CWWA) program. The goal of the first phase was to rewrite the CWWA manual using the BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses model as a base. As the program will be offered in the North it needs to be revised to reflect the values of First Nations families and reinforce the healing of the family as a whole.