Local agency benefits from province’s strategy to end gender-based violence

By Lethbridge Herald on October 28, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The provincial government is providing $1.36 million in funding to community-based organizations as part of the provinces 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre will be receiving $75,000 through the Community Pathways to Justice Grant Program, which funds programs that focus on victim support, education and awareness, legal navigation, system co-ordination and restorative justice.

The centre, which opened in January 2019, provides trauma-informed, inclusive and evidence-based support to people of all ages who are affected by sexual violence.

Kristine Cassie, chief executive officer of Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, says the money will go towards a program which addresses workplace harassment, focusing on youth and those entering into the workforce.

The centre will be collaborating with 5th on 5th youth services to educate the youth and also introduce them to the services they offer and have plans to branch out to other youth groups in the future.

“We’ll be, hopefully, forging some additional relationships with other youth groups, be they with the faith community or with other social service networks or other places that exist within our region,” says Cassie.

Cassie says this training will have “enormous potential” as it will address all forms of workplace harassment and will give participants tools on how to identify and intervene as a bystander as well as how to seek help if they are involved.

The training will be available for free and those who are interested can contact their office by calling 403-694-1094 and asking for someone in public education.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre is one of 18 grant recipients from across the province for the fiscal 2025-2026 year.

Grants range from $37,000-$145,000 and recipients are required to use them for operational activities.