THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY GRANT
DESCRIPTION OF WINNING PROGRAMS
2009 Respect, Safety, Violence and Prevention Program (RSVP) of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (founded in 1928) won the 2009 $25,000 grant. RSVP has been in operation since 2001 and fulfills the Family Services’ mission: “Strengthening People, Families and Communities.” It is a free, school-based early intervention and prevention program available for at risk children (grades 5-7) and youth (all grades) in Vancouver. Kareen Hudson, MSW, RSW, Manager of the program wrote, “RSVP helps Vancouver’s at risk children and youth who have been exposed to abuse, violence or neglect. Counsellors teach these children skills which will help them develop and foster healthy relationships thereby preventing further violence and abuse. To date we have worked with over 4,000 children and youth in the RSVP program. We receive excellent feedback from program participants, school personnel, caregivers and community partners. This group program has become a valuable tool in helping vulnerable children and youth learn how to stay safe and engage in healthy relationships with others. Providing children with these skills is in the best interest of everyone in our community.”
Group sessions are facilitated in a flexible way to meet the needs of the group. In applying for the grant Ms Hudson wrote, “The children are often victims of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse in their home or community…. Some youth in our project have already begun to experiment with high risk activities related to gang involvement, substance abuse, prostitution and other self-harming behaviours…. We have seen how participation in RSVP challenges children’s attitudes and violent behaviors and helps develop feelings of self-worth.”
