North Bay program earns more R.E.S.P.E.C.T

An abuse prevention program developed in North Bay has won an award.

Further details are included in the following news release issued by the Foundation for Rural Living:
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Guelph, Ontario, Oct. 22
Respect yourself – that’s the message that a unique abuse prevention program hopes to convey to women and girls living in remote Ontario communities – a move that has earned the project an award.

The R.E.S.P.E.C.T. project is the winner of the Excellence in Community Leadership award. It is one of seven projects that received recognition for its innovative work at the 6th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence on Oct. 18, 2004.

Hosted by the Foundation for Rural Living (FRL), the awards recognize and honour rural communities, organizations and groups who, through programs, projects and initiatives act on their vision of a better rural Ontario.

The ultimate goal of the project is to build and strengthen rural and remote communities in the North Bay region and give a voice to the more vulnerable members of the community, explained Project Co-ordinator Roberta Oshkawbewisens.

“We know that women and girls may be vulnerable to violence, particularly if we are aboriginal females, or if we have a developmental disability.”

The vision of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is to provide - Resources, Education, Safety, Prevention, Empowerment, Community-building and Training – to these vulnerable members of the community.

By forming partnerships with other social agencies, RESPECT has been able to offer a variety of unique programs. These include information sessions around violence and prevention for both boys and girls as well as education for rural practitioners. RESPECT also runs outdoor camping retreats for women and girls.

Beginning in the spring of 2002 with the help of a few agencies, the project has continued to grow and now enjoys the support of more than 20 project partners.