UFV launching Centre for Safe Schools and Communities

Two centres at UFV are launching a new chapter as one new entity. Together, the BC Centre for Safe Schools and Communities and BC Centre for Social Responsibility are marking nearly a decade of leadership in specialized areas of school and community safety, addictions, and strategies to promote the wellbeing of British Columbians.

Having begun as a provincial/university partnership, these two centres will now be amalgamated and fully operated by the University of the Fraser Valley under a single name, the UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities (CSSC).

Together, the BC Centre for Safe Schools and Communities and BC Centre for Social Responsibility are marking nearly a decade of leadership in specialized areas of school and community safety, addictions, and strategies to promote the well-being of British Columbians.

“These centres have provided many opportunities for BC schools and communities to engage in developing evidence-led practices, as well as access to a wide range of timely and important resources. They have also helped British Columbians to mobilize for positive change,” said Annette Vogt, coordinator of the centres. “We are happy to be continuing to offer these services, resources, and research under this newly amalgamated framework.”

With endorsement from the provincial government, this restructuring will enable the new UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities to build on its successful record of service to the public and work with local, regional, provincial, and national initiatives while engaging UFV faculty and students in new and exciting ways, said Vogt.

Expanding on the previous incarnation of the centres’ already well-established networks and activities that facilitate the merging of theory and practice, the newly integrated UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities will also be seeking opportunities to continue to strengthen linkages with Aboriginal communities to support Aboriginal students in the K-12 educational system.

The new combined centre will continue to engage a diverse range of UFV students through experiential learning and on-campus activities, and it will also undertake to establish links with research associates with common interests from other universities and agencies in British Columbia, Canada, and internationally.

“We view this centre as a significant opportunity to assist in fulfilling our university goals of being a leader in the social, cultural, economic, and environmentally responsible development of the Fraser Valley, to provide the best undergraduate education in Canada, and to be innovative, entrepreneurial, and accountable in achieving its goals,” said Vogt.

“We are grateful to all our local, provincial, and national partners. Among the various groups, we especially value the initial foresight of the provincial government to launch these centres at UFV to promote research and resources in the areas of public safety and health. The CSSC is also grateful to UFV for its continued in-kind donations, along with vital support from faculty, departments, and students, who have contributed greatly to the centre’s long-term health and sustainability.”

The UFV Centre for Safe Schools and Communities looks forward to the many ways in which it will continue to contribute and engage with members of the public to offer leading edge opportunities for promoting the safety, health, and well-being of all British Columbians.

A new website will provide more interactive communications and directional access to information, activities, and services.

Centre Vision: British Columbians live, learn, and work in safe, healthy, and socially responsible schools and communities.

Centre Mission: To facilitate the use of evidence-informed approaches to promote safe, healthy, and inclusive schools and communities.

For more information, contact Annette.Vogt@ufv.ca or 604-504-7441 local 4222.