On Thursday, October 5th, partners Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre (Cornerstone) and Cobourg Police Service (CPS), announced funding from a new Victim Support
Grant awarded in September 2023.
The Victim Support Grant program was developed to help build resources and address the needs of victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. The grant helps police services to collaborate with community-based agencies to develop or enhance community initiatives.
The $100,000 grant from the Ontario government will help expand CPS and Cornerstone’s Intimate Partner Abuse Response Strategy program. The investment will help expand the geographical reach of the program, increase staffing capacity, add services for sexual assault victims, increase training for officers linked to intimate partner abuse, and collaborate to develop best-practice documentation.
“We continue to foster a positive working relationship with Cobourg Police Service and we are truly appreciative of the Victim Support Grant program that will provide the opportunity to continue our partnership with Cobourg Police Service and enhance our ongoing collaboration with them and Port Hope Police Service,” commented Nancy Johnston, Executive Director of Cornerstone.
“With the funding, we are excited to expand this program to support victims and survivors. The grant will allow us to create an innovative framework that can be applied by other interested police services over a larger geographical area, furthering our shared work of supporting our local and larger communities in creating a violence free future” continued Nancy Johnston.
“Our partnership with Cornerstone is vital to supporting victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.
The support from the Province through this grant money means our ability to come together to stand against the intimate partner violence epidemic by focusing on collaborative solutions, increasing the number of people connected to Cornerstone services, enhancing training for officers to ensure the readiness of our team at CPS and in Port Hope to support the community,” commented Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Cobourg Police Service.
“Partnerships and collaboration can help us succeed in creating safe and resilient communities.
Cornerstone continues to support those impacted by gender-based violence, and we are pleased to be a partner. Strengthening families, youth and individuals through programs and services always results in a stronger community. We are grateful for the Province’s investment in Northumberland County through this grant. We will continue to work towards sustainable funding for the long term to support the safety, health, and wellness of our community.” – Chief Tim Farquharson, Port Hope Police Service.
Established in 1983, Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre (Cornerstone) is an accredited violence against women agency working to end gender-based violence by providing accessible,
compassionate, and best practice modeled programs and services inclusive of shelter, counselling, housing support, and prevention through a support system that inspires hope, creates safety, and fosters resilience.
Author: Pete Fisher
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