Press Releases
Free On-Line Community Resource Guide
![[Free On-Line Community Resource Guide]](cmsimages/sm240510631guidesm.jpg)
New Website Provides Free On-Line Community Resource Guide for Lambton County
SARNIA, ONTARIO - An On-Line Community Resource Guide is one of three programmes developed as a result of the recommendations generated by participants of the $200,000 study, Bridging the Service Gap for Sexual Assault and Mental Illness Survivors. This three year study by the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General "Community Capacity Building" grant and the co-researchers, Denise McKinlay, M.S.W. and Carol Kauppi, PhD, are pleased to present the website to the Lambton County Communities.
The On-Line Community Resource Guide will provide access to current knowledge about community services, programmes and resources that are available to assist people in the community. It lists detailed and accurate information about each of the programmes offered including the criteria for admittance to each programme, the referral process and a description. A search engine will allow people to identify an issue and locate the many programmes available to them. The On-Line Community Resource Guide will assist service providers and those in need of services. There is no cost for the use of the resource guide.
Over 130 organizations and over 400 programmes are now listed and the number is increasing daily. Any organization or agency wishing to become part of the resource guide may contact the study for inclusion in the guide at no cost.
The website www.bridgingtheservicegap.com provides the On-Line Community Resource Guide, a Community Events Calendar for social service activities and access to over 80 free trainings for community organizations who wish to become part of the In-Service Cross-Trainint Initiative (for information about this programme contact the study). There is no cost to join the Cross-Training Initiative.
Community members are invited to explore the website and the study welcomes any comments or suggestions. Click on the Contact Us button and send your message directly to the study. All messages will receive a reply.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edited: Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:28 PM
Posted: Monday, February 19, 2007 11:24 AM
Social Action Project Pilot Programme
![[Social Action Project Pilot Programme]](cmsimages/sm953575272puzzlepress.jpg)
Social Action Project Pilot Programme Presents a Risk Reduction Resource Puzzle to Lambton County
SARNIA, ONTARIO - On October 27, 2006 at 10 a.m. at Central Untied Church on 220 George Street, the members of the Social Action Project pilot programme will present a risk reduction resource puzzle to Mayor Bradley and the community. As a result of a $200,000 research grant, one of the three pilot programmes, the Social Action Project programme, has developed a risk reduction puzzle called "Knowledge is Power: Putting all the Pieces Together" to be donated to Lambton County area organizations, schools and agencies. The Social Action Project and two other programmes are the result of the recommendations generated by participants of the study, Bridging the Service Gap for Sexual Assault and Mental Illness Survivors, and the direction given by community members at a Community Forum. This three year study by the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia Lambton is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General "Community Capacity Building" grant and the co-researchers, Denise McKinlay, M.S.W. and Carol Kauppi, PhD, are pleased to present these three pilot programmes that are being delivered in the community in 2006-2007.
1. The Social Action Project pilot programme was facilitated for 12 weeks and provided supports for community members, addressed the problems of stigma in the community through public awareness and education, promoted positive social interaction with peers, built communication and social skills, helped to break the members' sense of isolation, increased self-confidence while providing an opportunity for people to share their strengths, knowledge and abilities with others. The project members developed an educational resource to be employed with adults, teens and children that will provide accurate information about sexual abuse and sexual assault while reducing risks by promoting safety skills and healthy strategies for managing emotions. The Social Action Project pilot programme produced:
- A 4' diameter risk reduction floor puzzle
- A discussion guide for facilitation of the puzzle activities
- Follow-up activities
- Parent handbook
- Manual for the facilitation of a Social Action Project group
This is the first time that a project of this type has been developed by community members for community members!
2. The 2nd pilot programme, In-Service Cross-Training Initiative, has begun and it will increase community resources, provide extensive free training opportunities for agencies and organizations, improve collaboration between area organizations, provide networking opportunities for front-line staff and reduce barriers to services. Over 80 free workshops are now available for community organizaions to exchange their skills and practice knowledge. This is the first time a formal initiative of this magnitude has been undertaken in the community!
3. The 3rd pilot programme, On-Line Community Resource Guide, will provide access to current knowledge about community services, programmes and resources that are available in the community to assist people with a mental health issue and a sexual trauma history. A search engine in the guide will allow organizations and the public to enter key words and all the organizations and programmes that deal with that issue will appear with information regarding the referral process, the criteria for entrance into a service, and when and where the service is available. This is the first time that such a resource guide has been available in the community!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edited: Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:27 PM
Posted: Sunday, October 29, 2006 1:34 AM
$200,00 Research Grant Funds
![[$200,00 Research Grant Funds]](cmsimages/sm863197050pressrelease3.jpg)
Three New Pilot Programmes For Lambton County To Assist People With A Mental Illness and Sexual Trauma History
SARNIA, ONTARIO - Three pilot programmes are the result of the recommendations generated by participants of the study, Bridging the Service Gap for Sexual Assault and Mental Illness Survivors, and the direction given by community members at a Community Forum held on December 2, 2005. This three year study by the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre Sarnia-Lambton is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General "Community Capacity Building" grant and the co-researchers, Denise McKinlay, M.S.W. and Carol Kauppi, PhD, are please to present these three pilot programmes that will be delivered in the community during the next year.
1. The pilot programme, In-Service Cross Training Initiative will increase community resources, provide extensive free training opportunities for agencies and organizations, improve collaboration between area organizations, provide networking opportunities for front-line staff and reduce barriers to services. Free Professional Training Workshops by experts in the mental health field will be offered in 2007.
2. The On-Line Community Resource Guide will provide access to current knowledge about community services and programmes and resources that are available to assist people with a mental health issue and a sexual trauma history.
3. The Participant Social Action Projects pilot programme will provide supports for community members, address the problems of stigma in the community through public awareness and education, promote positive social interaction with peers, build communication and social skills, break the sense of isolation, increase self-confidence while providing an opportunity for people to share their strengths, knowledge and abilities with others.
The first year of this three-year study, encompassing the region of Lambton County, examined the experiences of 112 people with mild, moderate and serious mental illness who also had a trauma history of sexual abuse/assault. The knowledge and practices of 68 local service providers added further information to this study. The study identified the existing strengths of our community, problems and barriers with existing services, gaps in services for this population and barriers to disclosing and reporting sexual abuse/assault to the police. The participants of this study generated 29 recommendations for community initiatives to address these problems and build on the community's strengths. The next year and a half of the study will be devoted to the facilitation and evaluation of the new pilot programmes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edited: Friday, October 06, 2006 12:23 PM
Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006 10:21 AM
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.