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BIG BEAR CHILD & YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE

A Better Outcome for Everyone.

We are a non-profit society working together with a multi-disciplinary team to collaborate responses to child & youth maltreatment investigations. We make children & youth the top priority in the process.

October is MONTH OF GIVING to Big Bear Fundraising Drive... for more info please go to our Events or Contact/DONATE page.

THANK YOU!

About Big Bear CYACSupport & Services

Month of Giving to Big Bear

100% of donations go to Big Bear and will directly support the essential services of coordinating a collaborative and holistic response to child maltreatment that promotes long term healing and well being for the children, youth and their families.

All donations are very appreciated!

Don’t forget to get your Bear Paw for Nov 5th event to make a ‘Bear Wish’! (Click button below to print one!)

YES! I'd Like to DonatePre-order your food (proceeds to Big Bear) for the 4th Annual Bright Lights Night at Riverside Bandshell (Nov 5th - 5-7pm)Click here to get your Bear Paw for Nov 5th event! (Print, cut, decorate, bring on Nov 5th and redeem your prize before you hang it on a tree and make a 'Bear Wish' & also think about children/youth who have been impacted by violence)
Warner Rentals – Donated $10,000
Gary & Kathy Belik – Donated $1,000
Ted Stadnichuk – Donated $1,000
In honour of Andrew Graham, the donation of $500
Jason Belik & family – Donated $200
Trans Mountain – Donated $1000
Donation of $500 – In loving memory of Glenn Miller
IG Wealth Management – Donated $500
Leonard Piggin – Donated $100
In honour of Cynthia Davis, the donation of $100
$100 donation in memory of Hazel & Eric Lowe
$100 donation in memory of Ross Ettinger
$100 donation from Tina Lange-Henzler
$2000 donation from Drew Atkinson
In Honour of Fraser & Vivian Ettinger $100
Kamloops Large Animal Veterinary Clinic – $2500 donation
Kim & Greg Munden – $250 donation
Rachel Andrews – $100 donation
Bridget Jensen $100 donation
Lucille Dempsey $100 donation
Spencer Fauteux $100 donation
CLICK here to see our Big Bear Documentary!

Children and youth who have experienced maltreatment undergo additional challenges of now having to be involved in the criminal justice system. In many cases, this involvement is extremely traumatic for the child/youth and their families with having to travel to several places that can be quite intimidating (i.e: Police Station, Child protection offices, Hospital & Emergency services, Court). Big Bear CYAC has been developed to address these challenges by coordinating the response in child maltreatment investigations and creating one safe location where all the professionals come to the child and not the other way around! Support and advocacy is the priority! Big Bear CYAC also works to connect children/youth and their families with the right healing and support services that will fit with their needs and cultural well being.

Big Bear CYAC is like every non-profit society where donations are greatly needed an appreciated. October is Big Bear CYAC month of giving, followed by Bright Lights for our Children & Youth – a family night on November 5th at the Riverside Park Bandshell (5pm -7pm – food, music, tree lighting and fun!). If you are interested in a donation to Big Bear and/or would like more info on donations, the donator bear paw plaques demonstrated within Big Bear CYAC, or Bright Lights event, please email info@bigbearcyac.ca

A Community Working Together for a Better Outcome for Everyone!

Big Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.

(Kamloops and Region)

BIG BEAR CYAC’S MISSION

Big Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre development was guided by:

• Our Vision – To have a community where all children & youth are respected and heard and maltreatment is not tolerated.

• Our Mission – To provide a collaborative response to child maltreatment through advocacy, intervention and continued support in a child-friendly environment.

 

The photos with Big Bear were kindly provided by two wonderful youth in Kamloops: Miranda Hrycewich and Ericka Campbell. The beautiful Big Bear artwork has been created by our amazing artist: Meg O’riordan

 

Thank you ladies for sharing your talent with Big Bear!!!

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Support & Services

BIG BEAR CYAC Supports & Services: 

  • Collaborate the response to child abuse investigations (with Law Enforcement, Child Protection & Interior Health (Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect Clinic (SCAN clinic) & making the family a part of this team! – TOGETHER…A BETTER OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE !
  • Multi-disciplinary team planning (involving Law Enforcement, Child Protection, Interior Health, child forensic interviewing specialist, mental health expert and trauma expert)
  • Helping to create a prepared and tailored child forensic interview experience in a welcoming, child-friendly and culturally-safe space!
  • Family Advocate Services – Provides continual support, advocacy and shares information with the child/youth/family from the onset of the investigation. For example, the advocate supports the child/youth/family during the child forensic interview and medical evaluations that are conducted under the Big Bear roof. The advocate provides continual follow up services to help decrease barriers and enhance connection to appropriate services based on each client’s unique set of needs to promote long-term healing and wellness!
  • Mental Health and Wellness support – Out Mental Health & Wellness Assessment Team helps to learn what children/youth/families need in order to promote long-term healing.
  • REFERRALS to Big Bear CYAC are through Law Enforcement, Child Protection (MCFD, DAA), Interior Health medical practitioners & the Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect Clinic)

If you or you suspect that someone who is under the age of 19 is being harmed:

  • If in immediate danger call 9-1-1.
  • Children & Youth Hotline 250-310-1234
  • If the child/youth is not in immediate danger but you have reason to believe the occurrence of abuse or neglect – call the Ministry for Children and Family Development: 1-800-663-9122, toll-free (24 hours a day).

Having the courage to speak up is not always easy. Reporting abuse on a minor is both a moral and legal responsibility.

As a community, let’s protect each other—especially those who cannot protect themselves. Saying something is always the right decision.

More information on child abuse and support on reporting child abuse and neglect feel free to connect with Big Bear CYAC or go to:

(*Click each to go to their website)

Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do?

What is a Child & Youth Advocacy Centre?

Children and youth who have experienced maltreatment undergo a challenging involvement with the criminal justice system; in many cases, this involvement is extremely traumatic for the child/youth and their families. Child Advocacy Centres/Child & Youth Advocacy Centres (CACs/CYACs) address these challenges by providing a coordinated and collaborative approach to support children, youth and their families during investigations of child maltreatment.

More About UsWhat is Child Maltreatment?

What is a Child & Youth Advocacy Centre?

Children and youth who have experienced maltreatment undergo additional challenges of now having to be involved in the criminal justice system. In many cases, this involvement is extremely traumatic for the child/youth and their families with having to travel to several places that can be quite intimidating (i.e: Police Station, Child protection offices, Hospital & Emergency services, Court). Big Bear CYAC has been developed to address these challenges by coordinating the response in child maltreatment investigations and creating one safe location where all the professionals come to the child and not the other way around! Support and advocacy is the priority! Big Bear CYAC also works to connect children/youth and their families with the right healing and support services that will fit with their needs and cultural well being.

Big Bear CYAC is like every non-profit society where donations are greatly needed an appreciated. October is Big Bear CYAC month of giving, followed by Bright Lights for our Children & Youth – a family night on November 5th at the Riverside Park Bandshell (5pm -7pm – food, music, tree lighting and fun!). If you are interested in a donation to Big Bear and/or would like more info on donations, the donator bear paw plaques demonstrated within Big Bear CYAC, or Bright Lights event, please email info@bigbearcyac.ca

A Community Working Together for a Better Outcome for Everyone!

More About Us

News & Community Events.

We're closely connected with the Kamloops community and always have news to share. Learn more about community activities, as well as organizational news and developments, by clicking the links below.

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