Quebec
Violence Prevention Grants

Assault Sexuel Secours, Val D’Or
2008: $10,500
Many Aboriginal women never access the full range of services available to them due to lack of knowledge and accessibility issues. In response, the sexual assault centre will coordinate resources by establishing a committee of six Aboriginal women from three communities in the area of Val d'Or. Together the group will find ways to fill gaps in cultural understanding and program delivery. Through outreach, intervention and other activities, workers will be able to reach over 1,000 women and girls, forging links that will aid future collaboration and service delivery. 

Bureau de la communauté haïtienne de Montréal
2008 : $25,000
This program will work with young Haitian women who have faced social exclusion, violence and discrimination. Through mentoring and group work, 15 to 20 young women will begin to work toward achieving their personal and professional goals by developing an action plan for their future. The program includes an examination of violence against women and its root causes, women's rights in Quebec, safety in their community and relationships, and future planning using an asset-based approach. Power Camp (a CWF Girls’ Fund grantee) will provide additional programming and support in the area of female youth empowerment and leadership development.

Halte-femmes Montréal-Nord
2008: $25,000 (2007: $19,440)
This initiative is working to break down the isolation and marginalization of immigrant women by helping them to develop a sense of security, ownership and belonging in their community. This program is taking place in an area that has long been associated with gangs, street violence and lack of safety. Activities include a "vigilance" committee, a community walking group, lunch-time presentations, and other activities suggested by participants. Partnerships with the police and Tandem (a City of Montreal program for home security and safety), as well as other community groups, will ensure women have additional support. 

Maison Anita Lebel, Baie-Comeau
2008: $27,679
This second-stage shelter is setting up a satellite shelter service in Sept Îles which does not currently have a local shelter (the closest shelter is in Baie-Comeau which is 223 km away). Women’s groups and community organizations in Sept Îles fully support the establishment of this new shelter.

YWCA of Montréal
2008: $25,000
Working in collaboration with a “girls’ council”, the YWCA is developing violence prevention training tools to help other women’s organizations enhance their programming for girls. This initiative will build on existing gender-specific violence prevention work in schools and community centres, and expand the scope of existing adult training. Using the film Sexy Inc, an excellent documentary developed at this YWCA, the program will travel around Quebec to raise awareness about how to support girls who are surrounded by images of hyper-sexualized girls and women. 

CALACS: Centre d’aide et de Lutte contre les agression à caractère sexuel, Châteauguay
2008: $28,000
This initiative is being led by teen members of GAP (Groupe Action Prevention), a healthy relationship leadership youth group. Together, the group developed and hand-made a giant Snakes and Ladders game to use in high schools as a tool to raise awareness about healthy relationships. The 25 young people want to continue outreach to other teens in their schools and community. 

Maison L’Océane, Montréal
2008: $10,300
This is a violence prevention program for women who are residents or former residents of second-stage housing. This initiative offers group sessions, individual follow-up, and accompaniment to community services. Women will discuss parenting, stress, types of violence and other topics as requested. The program also includes an interactive presentation for families and friends about domestic violence and its impacts. 

L’Antre-Hulloise, Hull
2008: $25,000 (2005: $9,350, 2006: $9,350, 2007: $9,350)
This is a new initiative from L’Antre-Hulloise which will develop 10 violence prevention workshops for young urban and suburban women. Phase one will train 25-30 young women to co-facilitate violence prevention workshops in schools.  Workshops will be designed with reference to the societal context of gang recruitment, intense expectation of sexual activity and substance use.

Fédération des Ressources d'Hébergement pour Femme (2007) $23,000
“The Domestic Violence Prevention Project for Aboriginal Women: Sharing our Experiences, Creating Sustainable Relationships” is increasing services for Aboriginal women who are victims of domestic violence. Based on a partnership between the non-Aboriginal women's shelters and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal resources, this program enhances the capacity and increases the skills of service providers through training sessions. Eleven sessions are being offered to 165 service providers over a period of two years.

Service a la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montréal (2007) $10,000
“Breaking the Traditional Image” addresses the effects of domestic violence and promotes healthy relationships amongst teens and young mothers. Participants attend workshops and use discussion and role-play to explore a different topic. Following this, they produce a written article about the issue discussed, which is then published to raise broader awareness. Twenty teens and young mothers are expected to participate.

La Passerelle, Drummondville (2007) $20,000
“Mission Possible” is a sexual assault prevention program for girls, aged 14 to 15, in the area of Nicolet-Yamaska, where no sexual assault centres exist. Participants work on building self-esteem and critical thinking skills to prevent sexual assault and ultimately, become agents of social change in their community around the issue of sexual assault. Up to forty girls are expected to be involved. CWF’s funding is being used to support a project coordinator.

Halte-femmes Montréal-Nord (2007) $19,440
“Women in Action, North Montreal Citizens Project” empowers women who have experienced violence to improve their life conditions. In addition to the creation of a local advisory committee against violence, the initiative is organizing a neighbourhood-watch walking group and a series of activities for sixty women, including safety workshops and self defense. As well, six lunch activities are being offered to discuss safety, domestic violence and the hyper-sexualization of young women. Child care services are provided on site.

La Maison des Femmes Sourdes de Montréal (2007) $21,700
This initiative adapts services for women victims of sexual assault to meet the needs of Deaf women. With the support of sexual assault centres, the group is producing a DVD which will be used as an intervention and education tool. The content will be presented in sign language, and visual aids will be added to facilitate women's comprehension. This will be followed by the development of training and personal development workshops and the creation of a protocol for partnerships with sexual assault centres. As a result, Deaf women will receive culturally-appropriate services from qualified social workers in their language.

Le CALACS du Centre-de-la Maurice/Mékinac, Shawinigan: $20,000 (2006)
This school-based initiative facilitates the development of material by and for youth (13 to 15-year-olds). Participants produce video clips and create games that educate them about dating violence, sexual assaults, rape, drugs and sexuality.

L'Antre-Hulloise, Hull (2005: $9,350, 2006: $9,350, 2007: $9,350)
This program works with Deaf or hard-of-hearing women, who have experienced violence, to help them increase their resiliency and acquire personal and social skills. In partnership with the regional association for Deaf people, the program provides art workshops, intervention, individual support and accompaniment to other services. As well, a training guide for community and institutional social workers is being produced.

Participants receive 30 hours of individual support, 45 hours of group workshops and 10 hours of accompaniment to different services.

Maison L'Océane (Multi Femmes Deux), Montréal: $20,000 (2006)
This grant will help Maison L'Océane offer a support program to 20 women who have been victims of violence. The 20-week program addresses security, accessing community resources, harassment and violence prevention, conflict resolution and living conditions.

L'Arrêt-Source Inc, Montréal: $20,000 (2006)
This is a support program for 18 to 25-year-old former shelter residents, and offered in partnership with the Violence Prevention Research Centre. It provides housing, legal and administrative services, budget planning, health services, job search help, access to community kitchens and food banks, and second-hand furniture. Ongoing support, coaching and counselling is offered by phone and on-site.

Fonds de ressources éducatives, Rivière du Loup: $22,520 (2006)
This grant will help Fonds de ressources éducatives, a sexual assault centre, offer an outreach and awareness program. The group plans to organize a regional consultation to understand the needs of women, in various age groups, with regard to violence prevention. The feedback will be used to tailor educational and support programs to meet the age-specific needs of women. Community partners, such as senior women's associations, women's centres, shelters, and high schools will aid in outreach to these groups of women.

CALACS Coup de Coeur, Joliette: $18,000 (2004, 2005)
This program provides violence prevention services to Aboriginal women living in urban areas. Participants are offered a support group and self-defense classes. A support worker will be in contact with all participants

Maison Mikana, Amos: $2,528 (2005)
“Branche ton antenne” is a violence prevention program for grade 5 and 6 students. The program is delivered as a workshop in the classroom, and also includes a training component for shelter workers, a program guidebook about power and control, and a manual for youth facilitators. This program was developed by the Provincial Association of Shelters in Quebec.

Info-Femmes, Montréal: $14,358 (2005)
The Info-Femmes Women’s Centre has devised a group support program for women who are survivors of domestic violence. The program consists of three parts: “Emotional Autonomy” encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences on the issue; “Personal Autonomy” guides women toward personal independence; and “Financial Autonomy” helps women to re-enter the job market by helping them overcome their fears, recognize their skills, and rebuild their self-confidence.

Women AWARE / Femmes averties, Montréal: $10,000 (2005)
This is a support and education program for domestic abuse survivors using writing therapy as an empowerment approach. The program will set up a planning committee consisting of 12 survivors to develop a public forum presentation. An anthology book with testimonies, poems, etc will be produced and disseminated at the forum. Eight public forums will be held over 12 months in a downtown church. In the second year, a potluck dinner will be added to the public forums. An electronic database will be developed and incorporated into the website. The anthology will include writings from forum participants sharing their experiences.

Power Camp National/Filles d'action, Montréal: $10,000
The Girls’ Club addresses race, class, sexual orientation, gender, and the continuum of violence, including sexual violence in relationships, for 11 to 15-year old girls. Participants attend workshops, engage in creative expression and receive popular media training. At the end of the year they hold an exhibition for friends, family and the community.

L'Élan, Centre d'aide et de lutte contre les agressions sexuels, Mont- Laurier
(CALACS) $20,000 (2005)
"ZAPS", a sexual assault prevention program for 12 to 17-year old teens, is offered to 3 regional high schools and 9 youth centres. As well, the program has been adapted for women with intellectual disabilities and is delivered in partnership with the Association of Intellectually Disabled People of Laurentides (APHIL). This pilot project educates those who access the services of the centre. Also included is an outreach component for isolated, disabled women.

Maison des Femmes de Québec: $6,020 (2005)
“Chocolat rencontres” (hot chocolate meetings) is a self-help group for young women, aged 12 to 15, who have witnessed domestic violence. Participants share the consequences of violence in their lives and ways to prevent continuing the cycle. The goals of this group are to support youth with coping mechanisms, prevent repetition of the behaviour they witnessed, and help them develop self-esteem.

Maison Communautaire Missinak, Québec: $18,300 (2004)
“Women’s Circle” was developed in response to a lack of services for Aboriginal women living in urban communities. The goal of this women’s healing circle program is to bring together Aboriginal women, living off-reserve, who have experienced violence. Participants learn to break their isolation, network, raise awareness on domestic violence and women’s sexual assault in the Aboriginal community, and increase self-esteem. A portion of the program focuses on expression through Aboriginal cultural, handcraft and spiritual activities.

CAPAS Chateauguay, Châteauguay: $15,000 (2004)
“J’avise” addresses sexual assault and is designed, implemented and delivered by teens. Students plan, research, organize, deliver and evaluate activities and participants have the opportunity to express the issue of violence through video or graffiti.

Bureau de la Communauté Haïtienne de Montréal: $20,000 (2004)
This 3-year empowerment program is directed at young women and girls in the Haitian
community, and focuses on violence in intimate relationships. The youth acquire leadership skills that help them improve their self-esteem, and are encouraged to promote social change and justice in their community. The grant awarded by CWF will enable the organization to leverage other partners and funders for this project.

CALACS Région Côte Nord, Côte-Nord: $18,300 (2004)
This is an outreach and awareness program for Innu women living in mountainous remote and isolated communities. Participants network, receive information on sexual assault, domestic violence and other types of violence, and undertake social actions to prevent violence. The workshops are designed to take into consideration the needs of Aboriginal women and their native language. The project targets teens and young women and is delivered at secondary schools in 8 communities. Community leaders are involved in organisation and planning.

Regroupement Provincial des maisons d'hébergement de transition pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, Montréal: $10,000 (2004)
The goal of this project is to enhance the overall efficiency of women’s groups’ services on domestic violence. Delegates from different organizations, including shelters, work together at a conference to develop an inclusive intervention strategy, including prevention and social integration. The grant awarded from CWF will be used for the second stage of the spring conference, focusing on women and safety. The conference will focus on intervention and common strategic planning, to provide a continuum of support to women victims of domestic violence and their children.