Fort Nelson youth program getting a boost in local schools

A program aimed at helping young people in Fort Nelson build healthier relationships and deal with everything from bullying to conflict is getting a little bigger this school year, with more presentations planned across five local schools.

S/Sgt Jason Rumming advising partners of the successful application (From left to right: S/Sgt. Jason Rumming (Northern Rockies RCMP), Tabatha Jacobs (NRCDA), Teanna Perry (NRCDA), Acting Mayor Lorraine Gerwing (NRRM), and Roy Tavuyanaygo (NRCDA). (RCMP media release)

The Northern Rockies Child Development Association is expanding its Violence is Preventable program after a successful application for funding through the RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund, with Northern Rockies RCMP supporting the application earlier this year.

More than 200 applications were submitted from across Canada, with the Fort Nelson proposal successful in securing funding to expand the school-based program locally.

“The Northern Rockies RCMP is committed to collaboration by providing guest speakers for the VIP Program, which also allows our officers to make important connections with our local youth,” said S/Sgt. Jason Rumming, Detachment Commander for the Northern Rockies RCMP.

The additional funding will mean more VIP presentations in five Fort Nelson schools, giving students age-appropriate sessions covering healthy relationships, communication, bullying and cyberbullying, conflict resolution, cultural safety, substance use, bystander intervention and where to turn when they need help.

There is quite a bit packed into the program, with younger people also learning about understanding their emotions and triggers, self-regulation and coping skills, while other sessions get into leadership, peer influence, community responsibility and putting those lessons into practice.

Northern Rockies RCMP will be part of that work as well, with officers joining some of the presentations as guest speakers, while Rumming said expanding the program gives the community another opportunity to build on the work already being done with young people.

“Expanding this program within schools is an incredible opportunity to build on the valuable work the NRCDA is already doing with young people here in Fort Nelson, with the ultimate goal of building a safer community for everyone.”

The federal Family Violence Initiative Fund is aimed at raising awareness around family and relationship violence, supporting victims and helping with crime prevention in Indigenous communities.

The NRCDA plans to deliver the expanded presentations over 24 weeks, beginning this month.