We are starting a new year, and with it a new decade is ahead of us! For those of you are new to Radius Child and Youth Services and to those of you who have supported Radius for some time, I want to say a big “Thank You”! Thank you for working along side us throughout 2019, spreading the word, building awareness, donating time, funds or resources, and ensuring that we continue to work towards ending the cycle of abuse, neglect and violence. 2019 was a great year and I am thankful for all that we have accomplished, the small and the big steps we have each taken to change lives!
I am excited about 2020 and what we have in store!
During 2019, we received confirmation from Public Safety Canada, a federal government department, that Radius was awarded 1.6 million dollars over five-years to fund a Youth Dating Violence (YDV) Intensive Intervention Project. This project, unique to Canada, will research, design and then make available a specifically tailored assessment and treatment program for youth who have engaged in violence with a dating/relationship partner. YDV will be an important initiative that will contribute to developing knowledge/best practices with this population and strive to end the cycle of intimate partner violence. The coming year will see significant development of this program including a pilot project with a small group of youth to evaluate our measures and our approach to treatment.
Our uniquely qualified staff and consultants will continue to train and spread knowledge to professionals throughout the province and beyond, enabling us to reach more children, youth and families affected by abuse. In fact, four of our staff/consultants will be training in Iqaluit in February- it will be cold!
We are also proud to have a leading role in the organizing committee who are in the midst of planning the 2020 Continuum Conference, which is celebrating 25 years of providing insight to individuals and organizations on topics related to the assessment and treatment of youth who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviour. This is knowledge translation and dissemination at its best!
Radius sponsors several research projects which furthers our capability to develop and implement best practices in the assessment and treatment services we provide directly to our clients in the GTA as well as indirectly through our training and consultation programs. Several of these research projects will conclude in 2020.
During the next year, we have signature events planned, including; The Roaring Twenties Party in April, the Moon in June Road Race in Burlington, the Tournament of Hope in August and our newest event in October, Bowl for the Goal. We look forward to seeing you throughout the year!
More than anything, I hope that the beginning of this next decade brings health and happiness to you, and to all the families we strive to help.
Let’s make the next decade, the best one yet!
Allan Bishop
Executive Director
