With a goal to better equip central Alberta communities with the tools they need to support people affected by family violence, the province has stepped up with some funding that will benefit 13 local communities. 

The Town of Sylvan Lake was awarded $150,000 which will be put into action by the Central Alberta Regional Vision for Non-Violence Coalition to create Centre's for Positive Relationships in each community. 

As Coalition Regional Coordinator Colleen Lewis explains, they will work to respond to the unique needs in each centre.

“We start with taking an environmental scan from each of the communities, so we ask survey questions about domestic violence in their community and identify gaps and needs and strengths.  Then I will return to each of the communities with a Community Action Plan and together we will create what can be done, what are our actions”. 

Lewis says the grant dollars will help ensure all partner communities have the same tools, training and resources available to offer the best help and guidance to those impacted by domestic violence.

There's a huge need for training according to Lewis.

“The training series that we have created, that was identified in the environmental scan that 75% of respondents said they did not feel adequately trained to deal with domestic violence that they saw, that was coming through their doors”. 

The 13 communities under the coalition are Sylvan Lake, Benalto, Bentley, Blackfalds, Bowden, Delburne, Eckville, Elnora, Innisfail, Lacombe, Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler.