SparkFest – Sparkling Inspiration

Super Hero Reflects Diversity

Examining the relationship between stereotyping, the media, and violence is a major focus of SWOVA's Respectful Relationships program (R+R). Our workshops examine how media stereotyping can legitimize and normalize inequality and treat generalizations about groups of...

In An Age of Social Media – A Project Founded on Human Relationships

In an age of social media, along comes a project founded on human relationships. Pass It On – Phase II has been a project inspired by a mentorship pilot project of the same name implemented on Salt Spring Island in 2009. With funding from the Status of Women Canada,...

Sexual Health for Youth

This spring SWOVA organized the first Sexual Health Fair at Gulf Islands Secondary School and an afternoon of workshops on sexual health for the grade 11 students. There were information booths set up during the lunch break for students from the whole school to browse...

Spark Fest Unplugged

What does it take to reach out to the community and let your voice be heard? A clear vision, a number of passionate willing youth, and ways to engage your audience. Kate Maurice, the Mentor Supervisor for the Pass It On Project on Salt Spring Island had the vision - a...

SWOVA Facilitator Training Goes Online

We thought if we were going to enter the 21st century, we would go all out! We are making our Respectful Relationships (R+R) Facilitator training program more accessible using online tools. This is an exciting new path for us, utilizing E-learning. Soon, when...

Sparking the Interest of Youth in the Community

One of the unique aspects to any of the initiatives conceived and implemented by SWOVA is that Salt Spring Island plays the distinct role of a Petri dish. The broader community on Salt Spring Island has always embraced SWOVA’s projects, with School District #64 being...

A Fearless Approach

The Pass it On Project had a late start in Uclulet, but the insights and learning from this unique collection of five distinct communities are enriching and enlightening. The five communities include Opitsaht, Esowista, and Hitacu which are reserves, as well as...

Feeling Rejuvenated

Val Jordan, the Mentor Supervisor of the Pass It On Project in Prince George, knows her community well. Prince George is the Northern capital of British Columbia with a population of approximately 70,000. There is a strong multicultural and Aboriginal component to the...

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