Executive Director Awarded Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) Executive Director Patricia Arango was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal on December 16.

Arango was awarded the commemorative medal along with Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) CEO Mark Jones during a lunch hour ceremony held at the CACAC’s office.

Both medal recipients received the recognition from Minister of Education Adriana Lagrange. Arango was awarded the medal for her involvement with the development of the Centre of Excellence and her dedication to working towards eliminating sexual violence in the community.

Arango has been the Executive Director of CASASC since 2016.

During the ceremony, after receiving the medal, Arango told the crowd filled with CASASC staff, the medal was not hers alone. She stated “this medal is really for all of you.”

The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal will be awarded to 7,000 Albertans throughout 2022 in recognition of significant contributions to the province.

The medal was created to mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Platinum Jubilee Medal program is continuing as planned despite the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and will conclude on February 5, 2023.

Monthly update – CASASC Connections – December

Welcome back to CASASC Connections. This is a space where we provide updates on our services, programs and all things CASASC for the month of December.

 

Need for online + virtual volunteers – email ewillmer@casasc.ca

We are in need of volunteers to join the 24/7 help line, with shifts available through the phone and text/webchat.

We are looking for volunteers who can take one or two shifts a month with our helpline. Evening and weekend support is a bonus.

Using an eight-hour shift-based schedule the help line volunteers provide a listening ear, supportive conversation and resource referrals to children, youth and adults who are in need of support. Previous education and training are not needed. Seeking respectful, caring and supportive individuals.

 

24/7 Sexual Violence Help Line

1-866-956-1099

www.casasc.ca

Call, text or webchat – We provide 24/7 confidential and anonymous support and a friendly conversation with the end goal being information, support and referrals.

 

Holiday Office Hours

Our office will be closed from Friday, December 23 to Sunday, January 1. We will re-open in the New Year on Monday, January 2nd.

 

Thank You

November was Family Violence Prevention Month (FVPM) and we’d like to thank everyone who participated in some way throughout the month. If you shone purple lights, shared a message of support, wore purple on November 25 – thank you.

A big thanks also to our community partners who shared their support on our collaborative DRVIC (Domestic Relationship Violence Initiative Committee) promotion poster – Soroptimist, Purple Light Nights, The City of Red Deer, IMPACT Central Alberta Regional Vision for Non-Violence, Outreach Centre, Red Deer City Victim Services Unit.

 

Out in the Community

November 25 – December 10: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On this day we remember the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal in 1989 and all victims of gender-based violence.

December 10: International Human Rights Day

  • Join CARE for Newcomers for their Human Library from 2-4pm at the Blackfalds Library as the hold interactive conversations with local Newcomers. They will share their culture and immigration experiences to help community connect with them and their journeys.

 

CASASC in the Media

Segment on CASASC Help Line on CTV Edmonton (Aired Nov. 11) https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2561684

“Calls to Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre help line surges” Red Deer Advocate (Nov. 8) https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/calls-to-central-alberta-sexual-assault-support-centre-help-line-surges/

“Record number of calls to help line run by Sexual Assault Support Centre” rdnewsNow (Nov. 8) https://rdnewsnow.com/2022/11/08/record-number-of-calls-to-help-line-run-by-sexual-assault-support-centre/

 

Virtual Learning Series

Our monthly learning series continues in December in its current format. Stay tuned for 2023 dates and changes.

If you would like to see a learning series program added to our list, or have some topics of interest please let us know as we look to bring the most up-to-date and relevant programming to our communities email education@casasc.ca

 

What happens on a 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline (45min)

CANCELLED – Tue, Dec 13 @ 6-6:45 pm MST

 

Ask the Expert – Parenting and Sexualized Behaviour Support (60 min)

Wed, Dec 21@ 4-5 pm MST

Visit the link for session dates and times and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/306744500057

 

Services + Programs at CASASC (30 min)

Mon, Dec 5, 12:00-12:30 pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305069279427

 

Introduction to Sexual Violence (60 min)

Tues, Dec 6, 9-10 am MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305057193277

 

Supporting Disclosures (45 min)

Mon, Dec 12, 12-12:45 pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305060773987

 

Consent 101 (60 min)

Tues, Dec 20, 9:00-10:00 am MST

Tues, Dec 20, 11:00am-12:00pm MST

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/305082248217

 

A Season of Giving

We’ve launched our first holiday gift giving campaign.

We know that during this holiday time of year community members often reach out and support causes close to their heart.

Sexual violence impacts a large portion of our population. As individuals who have been targeted by the violence or as individuals who know of and support others who have been impacted.

Help give Central Albertans affected by sexual violence a voice and a choice on their healing journey.

Donate to our Season of renewal, empowerment, healing, giving through scanning the QR code or clicking the link

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/central-alberta-sexual-assault-centre/campaign/a-season-of-giving/

 

Engagement Strategies Toward Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment workshop

Starting in the new year, CASASC will be offering (by request) an innovative 3-hour online workshop, proven to build the skills that help people understand, respond to, and prevent workplace sexual harassment.

Available for business, workplaces, and organizations.

All staff our encouraged to attend and require their own computer/technology device.

This program is by request only and will open up booking in the new year.

$75 per person or $50 per person if your organization has signed on to the #momentsmatter campaign

Connect with us at education@casasc.ca for more details.

 

First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training

January 24 and 25, 2023

9:00 am – 5:00 pm MT

Calgary, Alberta

Join us for FRT training – Facilitated by a member of our CASASC team.

Early bird cost available to those who register by November 15.

Registration Required

$299 after Nov 15, 2022

Register at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/associationofalbertasexualassaultservices/752612/

This comprehensive training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals, and community members to respond effectively to disclosure of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment from children and adults. Training covers the full continuum of topics related to sexual violence across the lifespan.

2022 Front Line Service Providers’ Awards

 

The CASASC team attended the 2022 Front Line Service Providers’ Awards on Nov. 28 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino.

The 18th annual awards ceremony, hosted by the Domestic and Relationship Violence Committee (DRVIC), is a time for front line service providers to come together to recognize each other and the meaningful work being done within these communities.

CASASC Crisis Support and SART Manager Erin Willmer was nominated for a Front Line Service Providers’ Award for working collaboratively with her colleagues and community partners as a compassionate leader, support and community connector.

“Erin is compassionate and caring and exemplifies respect, knowledge and leadership. She advocates for clients and those impacted by sexual violence and places their needs at the highest priority. Erin wears multiple ‘hats’ within her roles as a manager, front line responder, volunteer coordinator, team lead etc. and is excellent at switching between these roles in appropriate and knowledgeable ways.”

“Empowering victims on their next steps, Erin leads with compassion, care and respect.”

CASASC would like to congratulate all of the nominees and recipients at this year’s award ceremony.