Liberty Lane's Healthy Relationships Program Awarded Fredericton Community Foundation's Game Changer Grant

In an exciting reveal at our "For Good Forever Showcase" last night, we proudly announced Liberty Lane as our Game Changer Grant recipient. This year's $30,000 grant will empower Liberty Lane to launch the "Youth and Young Adults: A Healthy Relationships Plus Program," a transformative initiative set to positively impact the next generation in our community.

Meet Liberty Lane:  

Liberty Lane is a community organization dedicated to offering second-stage housing for women who have escaped family violence, along with domestic violence outreach services catering to individuals of all gender identities. Their mission revolves around empowering individuals to achieve personal and financial independence, fostering a future free from violence for them and their children. 

"At Liberty Lane, we believe every person knows their needs best. We are here to help them do what they feel is best for them." 

A Game Changer for Fredericton: 

With the one-time grant of $30,000, Liberty Lane will spearhead efforts to prevent gender-based violence through education. This comprehensive program will equip youth and young adults with knowledge and skills essential for cultivating healthy relationships. Among its objectives, the initiative aims to create a safer, healthier, more supportive, and inclusive environment, crucial for diminishing bullying, substance use, and unhealthy sexual practices in our community's future. 

To achieve this, young adults will engage in in-person sessions facilitated by community professional educators within small group settings, receiving certificates upon completion. 

Why This Initiative?  

Unhealthy family relationships, conflicts, violence, and relationship breakdown contribute significantly to youth homelessness. Alarming rates of police-reported Intimate Partner Violence and Domestic Homicide in New Brunswick further emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues. 

 

Recent Student Wellness surveys underscore the prevalence of sexual and dating violence among youth, particularly impacting LGBTQ2+ identifying individuals. The 2018 PIT count in New Brunswick revealed that 22% of the homeless population were aged 16-24. 

These compelling reasons solidify our choice of Liberty Lane as the Game Changer for 2023. We firmly believe in the power of education and a united community that supports each other in understanding the challenges our younger generation faces daily. 

  

A Grateful Note:

Our heartfelt thanks to our caring donors, committed board members, and diligent grant committee for their unwavering support. Together, you embody the core values of the Fredericton Community Foundation, working together to build a better community for all. 

Sam MacInnis