By: Tanner Smith and Ashley Lavallee-Koenig
The province is providing $2.5 million to support those affected by gender-based violence, and the Pembina Crisis Connection Society (PCCS) is set to benefit.
The funding will support 36 community organizations across the province in an effort to end gender-based violence. Of the total recipients, 14 are in Calgary, seven in Edmonton, four in southern Alberta, seven in central Alberta and four in northern Alberta.
Grants range from $15,000 to $150,000 and are intended to provide services such as “justice-system navigation, safety planning, crisis intervention and restorative justice programming,” the province says.
“Real progress on gender-based violence happens when governments, service providers and advocates work together,” comments Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “By investing in the people and organizations leading this work across Alberta, we are helping those affected, improving outcomes and building a safer future for all Albertans.”
Serving Drayton Valley, Brazeau County and surrounding rural regions, the Pembina Crisis Connection Society provides “trauma-informed support, legal education and crisis intervention services to individuals impacted by gender-based violence,” the organization says.
Through the grant, officials say the PCCS will receive $75,000 to support staffing and direct program delivery, including justice system navigation, safety planning, referrals and advocacy, rural outreach, program materials and practical supports for clients experiencing domestic and gender-based violence.
Representatives of the organization say its work often intersects with the justice system as clients may be navigating legal and court processes while also dealing with immediate safety concerns.
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