OUR VISION & MISSION
OUR VISION & MISSION - LENDING STRENGTH
Traditionally, when a child needed to report abuse, they were forced to do so in the same manner as an adult; in an institutionalized setting with adult expectations.
- The child is expected to go to the police station, surrounded by sometimes scary strangers in the waiting area, then shuffled through the interview process expected to tell their stories a number of times to various players involved in the investigation. One could only imagine this intimidating endeavor for a child who finally mustered the courage to disclose.
- Knowing how difficult this process can be, several community agencies partnered together to establish a more streamlined and child centered approach to investigations.
- Now, children are able to utilize the Caribou Child and Youth Centre, which uses a multidisciplinary team. This collaborative approach strives to minimize stress, anxiety, and trauma to the child witness while working to promote safety, protection, and justice.
WHAT IS PROVIDED AT THE CARIBOU CENTER
The Caribou Child and Youth Centre house’s a child welcoming venue for RCMP and Children’s Services to conduct interviews of alleged crimes of abuse against children. It also provides:
- Audio Video recording of the interview to be used in court proceedings.
- Crisis intervention, support and counseling to child victims of crime and their non–offending family members.
- Share information about the criminal investigation process and court process and provide regular court updates.
- Help children prepare for criminal court proceedings.
- Provide a space for children to testify remotely during court proceedings.
- A facility dog to support children during child forensic interviews and court proceedings.
- Advocacy and referrals on behalf of the child victims of abuse.
The Centre offers a safe and comfortable environment for children to go through the investigative process. We help to simplify this process and decrease some of the stress associated with reports of child abuse. We advocate for the child within the criminal justice system and help find supports within our community. We believe in trying to attain “best practice” standards while being child centered, with our focus on helping children and families move forward in the most advantageous way.
WHY THE CENTER WAS NAMED CARIBOU
Local Aboriginal Elder Darlene Cardinal opened the launch of the Caribou Child & Youth Centre with a traditional Cree prayer and an explanation of just how the centre got its name.
“Caribou travel in herds and they keep each other together where the young ones are in the centre (with) the elderly and then the warriors and the bulls are on the outside,” Cardinal said of the Dene-inspired name.
“This practice helps the stronger in the herd protect the more vulnerable, according to Cardinal, something the new facility embodies.”
“They work as a community, as a nation and they hold each other and encourage each other,” she said.
In short, the Caribou Child and Youth Centre’s name was chosen to reflect the level of caring and protection that the adult Caribou provide to their young and the vulnerable members of their heard.
The Caribou demonstrates strength, fortitude and perseverance in the journey. It also possesses the power of adaptability in adversity, caution in surroundings and tenacity to get things accomplished. Furthermore, the Caribou displays moving forward, finding inner peace and placement as they walk through life.
Our Mission Satement and our values
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide wrap around services and support to children and youth who have experienced sexual, physical or psychological abuse, exploitation, and/or neglect and their families.
Our Values
- Children and families always come first. Advocacy and support are offered to help reduce trauma for the child, youth and supporting family members.
- All of our services are delivered in welcoming, physically and psychologically safe, neutral, trauma-informed and comfortable child -and youth-friendly settings.
- Our Multidisciplinary Team is built on respect – for each other, survivors, and our shared vision to eliminate child abuse.
- We strive to provice cultural, linguistic and socially inclusive services to all children, youth and their families.
- We are driven to get things right. We take pride in our practice and our collaborative model knowing it comes from the latest and best knowledge in our field.