(Alberta Council of Women's Shelters)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

ACWS’ Leading Change™

Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters partners with AJHL in violence prevention program

Sep 17, 2022 | 9:10 AM

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) have announced a new partnership and the AJHL’s participation in ACWS’s Leading Change™ program, Building Leaders in Violence Prevention.

Officials say ACWS’ Leading Change™ team will conduct sessions with each of the 16 AJHL member teams in the 2022-23 season.

The program is said to focus on building a strengths-based conversation among players about domestic and gender-based violence prevention. The session is expected to provide players within the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the tools they need to begin leading the change to end domestic violence and abuse and contribute to a larger culture change.

“Hockey has deep roots in Alberta, and we are pleased to be partnering with the AJHL in this important movement,” said ACWS executive director, Jan Reimer. “Through Leading Change™, we have been working with sports organizations at both the junior and professional levels for over a decade to support players in better understanding the complexity and pervasiveness of gender-based violence, the fundamental concerns of consent, and healthy masculinities. There is a real need for everyone to become active bystanders when we notice signs of abuse.”

“We believe that our players can use their position as role models and leaders in Alberta communities to contribute to positive change and promote anti-violence,” said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk. ‘The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters will provide our young athletes with education on abuse prevention and consent, and assist in identifying how they can model this leadership in their everyday lives.”

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

Dec 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Officials note the partnership between AJHL and ACWS currently has an interested funder, with more news expected to follow soon. ACWS says it is also looking for additional sponsors to support additional trainings with interested teams.