NEWS: SAFFRON CENTRE LTD.

WE HAVE CHANGED OUR NAME AND EXPANDED OUR SERVICES!

On Sept. 28, 2009, the Board of Directors and members voted to change the name from SAFFRON Strathcona Sexual Assault Centre to SAFFRON Centre Ltd.

This change will ensure that SAFFRON Centre Ltd. will be able to continue to provide services, not only to victims of sexual violence, but also to all victims of trauma and abuse who access the agency for services.  The mandate for the Centre has expanded to include  more immediate services to victims of crime, to provide information and resources as they access the criminal justice system.

Vision: Our vision for the future is: ‘Healthy children, healthy families, healthy communities; free from trauma, abuse and sexual violence.’

Mission: ‘Working to support the healing and empowerment of those who have been affected by trauma, abuse and sexual violence; and to promote change in attitudes, beliefs and social norms.’

Organizational Values and Beliefs

- That all persons have the right to a peaceful existence free of fear and exploitation

- That crisis intervention, affordable and timely counselling as well as on-going support must be readily available for victims and survivors of trauma, abuse and sexual violence.

- That there is a need for greater education, public understanding and action regarding the effects of trauma, abuse and sexual violence.

- That services are provided to all victims and survivors of all ages, abilities, gender, cultural or ethnic background.

SAFFRON Centre Ltd. is a registered charitable not for profit organization located in Sherwood Park, Alberta.  SAFFRON Centre Ltd. works locally in Sherwood Park, County of Strathcona, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, and the surrounding areas offering services to victims of trauma, abuse and sexual violence and/or their family members. 

SAFFRON’s Seeds of Healing Counselling Program

SAFFRON has qualified therapists that provide one-to-one counselling for individuals and families working with various methodologies and specialties.  SAFFRON also provides various group services including:

- ‘Healing from the Hurt’ for parents and/or caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Support and court accompaniment is provided for participants as they deal with involvement as victims in the criminal justice process.

- ‘Roots of Healing’ Level One (8 weeks) and Level Two (14 weeks) for adult women who are survivors of sexual abuse or sexual assault.

- ‘ONYX’ Teen Girls Program’ for young women who are dealing with the various issues faced today  with several topics including: self-esteem, body awareness, media influences, setting personal boundaries and being safe in a digital world. 

- ‘ELEVATE’ – a new group being developed to work with teen boys to deal with issues facing young men today in an interactive and physical program that will build self-esteem, communication skills as well as provide tools for conflict resolution.

SAFFRON’s ‘Making Connections’ Public Education Program

SAFFRON provides various programs and services locally as well as throughout Alberta for public education and awareness about issues that affect victims of trauma, abuse and sexual violence. One component of the ‘Making Connections’ Program is the:

‘Secure Connections: Communicating Safely in a Digital World’ is a unique program that provides various presentations that deal with the risks and threats of technology, how it impacts our children and the often tragic effects when it is misused.  SAFFRON presenters are continually gaining new information and updating presentations with the latest research in the area of internet safety and the effects of inappropriate use of the technology.

SAFFRON provides public education and awareness presentations throughout the province to schools, parent groups, as well as at workshops and conferences as requested.