DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - A local housing organization is asking the City of Dawson Creek to support a proposed security training program aimed at improving employment opportunities while helping address community safety concerns connected to the Nawican Friendship Centre Shelter.
According to correspondence included in the agenda for Dawson Creek’s inaugural council meeting Monday, Jennifer Pringle of Mamwentuh Housing Society is seeking a letter of support from council.
The society is planning a 12-week security training program that would be delivered in partnership with Northern Lights College.
The proposal would provide training for between 12 and 20 participants, focusing on both traditional security skills and training related to frontline social service environments.
The program would include basic and advanced security training, mental health first aid, drug awareness, naloxone administration, violence prevention, trauma-informed practices, patrol tactics and self-defence.
In the letter, Pringle points to findings from an environmental scan of the Nawican shelter presented to council in August, which identified concerns around community safety, service gaps, shelter accountability and public complaints.
The housing society says the goal is to train workers who can fill security positions in a variety of settings, including shelters and recovery centres, while helping ensure appropriate measures are in place to keep both shelter users and the surrounding community safe.
“We hope that by running this program with NLC, that we will be able to provide the training that helps put the proper measures in place to keep everyone safe in a dignified and respectful way that meets the needs of all involved,” the letter states
The society previously partnered with Northern Lights College on a facilities maintenance program funded through the Community Workforce Response Grant.
According to information provided to council, 10 of 12 participants completed that program and received industry training, tools and employment supports.
Council is expected to receive the correspondence during its inaugural meeting on November 2.
The letter requests a formal endorsement to support an application for grant funding for the proposed training initiative.