Past/Current Initiatives:

Youth Transition Kits in Partnership with the Federation of Youth in Care Network

This project is a partnership with SurreyGirlz and Sexual Exploitation Prevention Program where I am working with a group of youth to create transitioning kits for youth in the sexual exploitation trade. We have decided to put the resources and supplies into ‘little black purses’ and have received donations from the Body Shop and Subway. The kits will contain bus tickets, protein bars and resources on a very cute and tiny address book. SEPP has a history of creating innovative projects…this is the newest and we are very excited about it. The project ends March 31 2006.

In February of 2006 Trina Rickettes and I began offering outreach supplies to women who work in Surrey’s street level sex trade once a week. After 4 months the Front Room agreed to donate space once a week for 3 hours. Fraser Health gave us a grant as did Surrey Women’s Center. Our services now include cooking classes, drop-in and a research project with Strathcona Research Group. 7 women have received employment through this project and many have gone into treatment and/or housing.

Sexual Exploitation Prevention Program

I created SEPP in August of 2004 in response to a constant request for speaking engagements. SEPP now offers 4 training and education workshops for youth, parents, professionals and teachers. The Ministry of Family and Children recently funded SEPP for 2 years and the program is now extremely stable. The evaluations from participants are glowing. Many organizations have accessed the day long training for their staff including Covenant House Vancouver, PLEA Family Services, Aboriginal Mothers Center and many more.

Prostitutes Alternatives Counseling and Education

PACE hired me to complete their education-training manual. I am happy to report that in 4 months we summed up a four-year project with an excellent video, manual and final report.  I have since become a board member of the Society. 

Prostitutes Education and Empowerment Resource Society Vancouver

In 2001 I moved to Vancouver and with Shelley Woodman, BSW began the PEERS Vancouver Society. Establishing board, constitution and writing all the major funding proposals including 350,000 annual from HRDC and 1.5 million from MHR. Hundreds of sex workers access the PEERS exiting programs, the most popular being the 6 month program I developed and facilitated in 2003 called ELEMENTS. ELEMENTS is a 6 month three phase program with a built in continuum and plenty of alternative approaches. The program is extremely successful.

BC Coalition of Experiential Women

I have been involved with the BCCEW since its conception and have taken on various roles including 2 research projects and a policy analysis of services in Prince George BC.

Prostitutes Education and Empowerment Resource Society Victoria

For a year I acted as the Director of Public Education creating education forums and resources on the issues surrounding the sex trade.

I was a support staff to Gretchen who is an inspiration to many young women. Part of my duties included advocacy. My proudest moment came when a man who came into the office with only a top set of 20-year-old dentures was able to get a full set of new dentures through my advocacy efforts.

This pilot project addressed the issue of women hiding in hotels/motels, particularly with children. This project included outreach to these hotels during the Victoria Transit Strike, which lasted more than a month. This was a very special project and was eventually turned into an on-going program.

Provided clerical and client support to the staff at the center. Attended community outings with clients and advocated for better services and improved access.

Research

Publications

Media Exposure

Bad Date Reporting-BCCEW

Interviewed organizations and women on how they report/receive bad dates. Results will be presented at our closed conference March 24^th 2007

From the Curb- BCCEW

32 of the 96 respondents were surrey sex workers. The research looked at issues of violence and trafficking.

In The Here and Now

Also a BCCEW initiative. I was the co-ordinator of this research, drafting the questions, relevant forms and managing the researchers. The research exposes current trends and realities of street-level sex workers in Victoria, Kamloops, Vancouver and Prince George. I interviewed 46 of the 70 respondents.

Under the Radar-Dr. Sue McIntyre of the Hindsight Group, Calgary, AB

I was one of two researchers who spoke one on one with 20 men in the sex trade in Vancouver. The research is one of a kind and addressing the difference in the male experience of what Sue calls the ‘sexual exploitation trade". The research has been conducted in AB, BC, Man, and Sask. The BC results will be released in November 2006.

This research looked at the experience of indoor sex workers in Victoria, BC.

Sex Trade Education and Awareness Manuals 2001-

A series of manuals on sex trade awareness. A manual was tailored to each of the following groups, parents and teachers, youth, professionals and health care providers.

An aid to professionals working with sexually exploited persons.

Understanding the current realities of street-level sex trade in Prince George, Victoria, Vancouver and Kamloops, BC.

A manual on engaging sex workers in peer learning exchanges.

The Westender, Vancouver Sun, Canada AM, ‘Getting Out’-Vancouver Film School documentary, Times Colonist, Vancouver Magazine, Fanny Keifer Show, Bill Good Show, CTV, coop radio Vancouver, University of British Columbia student radio, North Shore News, Mountain FM, Documentary-Celebrating Volunteers, Georgie Straight, CBC’s The Current, Surrey NOW, The TYEE

2001 Impacts

2005 Leadership Vancouver

2006 Vancouver Police re: Picton Trial

PACE Board Member

Leadership Vancouver Alumni class of 2005/2006

BC Coalition of Experiential Communities

RISE

Better Employment Strategies and Techniques at Camosum College

Mental Illness First Aid

Serving it Right, SuperHost and Food Safe

Leadership Vancouver

Absolutely excellent computer and Internet Skills and an able instructor. The web sites I have built and continue to maintain are www.surreygirlzfashions.com and www.sepprogram.com