A Windsor-Essex agency that advocates for young abuse victims has been awarded a grant by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Windsor-Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) has been given $85,600 from the foundation to support an interim support program.
The program supports children who are waiting for victim support services.
"We're grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation in helping us create this interim support program," said Dr. Nila Das, WECYAC Executive Director. "By providing children with coping kits that reflect their individual interests and strengths, and by offering remote monitoring services that allow us to check in with them regularly, we hope to reduce the negative impact of waiting for services and help children feel empowered and supported."
The coping kits are tailored individually to the needs of the young client and may include items such as art supplies, stress balls, journals, and other tools. Remote monitoring will also be supported by the Trillium funding, and it will allow the Centre to effectively follow up with the client.
"I am privileged to be able to congratulate the organization on the award of this OTF Resilient Communities Fund grant which will have such a direct positive impact on these children," said Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky in a media release.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie also praised the work the WECYAC does.
"Protecting our young people is of the utmost importance, and providing them with spaces where they feel safe is our collective obligation," said Dowie. "It is our duty to listen to youth and to reflect on the insights drawn from their lived experiences, and the Windsor Essex Child and Youth Advocacy Centre fulfills exactly that purpose for those in our community."
Complete information about the WECYAC can be found on its official website.