Two centres at University of the Fraser Valley are launching a new chapter as one new entity.
The BC Centre for Safe Schools and Communities and BC Centre for Social Responsibility held an official launch on Monday under their new joint name – the UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities (CSSC).
The centre promotes safe, nurturing and inclusive schools and communities for children and youth.
A day of workshops and activities celebrated the occasion at UFV’s Clearbrook Centre at 32355 Veterans Way (below the Clearbrook Library).
The two centres each mark nearly a decade of leadership in specialized areas of school and community safety, addictions, and strategies to promote the wellbeing of British Columbians.
They began as a provincial/university partnership, and are now amalgamated and fully operated by UFV.
With endorsement from the provincial government, this restructuring will enable the new UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities to build on its successful record of service to the public and work with local, regional, provincial, and national initiatives while engaging UFV faculty and students in new and exciting ways, said centre coordinator Annette Vogt.
Expanding on the previous incarnation of the centres’ already well-established networks and activities that facilitate the merging of theory and practice, the newly integrated centre will also be seeking opportunities to continue to strengthen linkages with Aboriginal communities to support Aboriginal students in the K-12 educational system.
“These centres have provided many opportunities for BC schools and communities to engage in developing evidence-led practices, as well as access to a wide range of timely and important resources,” said Vogt.
“They have also helped British Columbians to mobilize for positive change. We are happy to be continuing to offer these services, resources, and research under this newly amalgamated framework.”
A new website will provide more interactive communications and access to information, activities, and services. For more visit www.ufv.ca/cssc/