PEACE Program

ages 5 - 18

prevention, education, advocacy, counselling, and empowerment

The SOWINS Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling, and Empowerment (PEACE) Program is a short-term psycho-educational program for children and youth ages 5-18 who have witnessed/experienced emotional, mental and/or physical abuse in their home. Support is also provided to the non-offending parent/caregiver. Our program offers children and youth a safe environment to share personal experiences and to learn healthy coping skills through one-on-one sessions or group sessions.
 
Our team offers Individual counselling, group sessions (age specific), support for parents and caregivers, community education and school presentations through the Violence is Preventable Program.
Without intervention and support, children often grow up with unresolved feelings and without the necessary tools needed to heal from their trauma. 
The primary goals of the PEACE program are:
 
  • to support children and youth to feel safe, respected, valued, and heard.
  • to support emotional health and self-esteem.
  • to reduce isolation and let children and youth know they are not alone.
  • to identify and develop safety skills and strategies.
  • to educate non-violent ways of resolving conflict.
  • to view emotions and responses not as pathological, but rather as a natural response to traumatic events.
Program counsellors can empower children and youth through psychoeducation by: providing accurate information that helps the program participants better understand their experiences of violence and the impacts it can have on them, providing reassurance, helping program participants explore their feelings, providing emotional support, setting, and teaching boundaries, fostering and acknowledging resilience, assisting with goal setting, teaching skills, such as grounding skills and safety planning, challenging thinking patterns, exploring, acknowledging, and validating their responses to violence, and providing opportunities for social interaction with safe adults and peers.
 
Self-referrals and agency referrals are welcome.
 
For more information, contact our office at 250-493-4366 or email peace@sowins.com
 

Violence is Preventable (VIP) Program

Violence is Preventable (VIP) is a free, confidential, school-based violence prevention program for students in grades K-12. VIP presentations are delivered by Prevention, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment (PEACE) Program counsellors. Presentations increase awareness of the affects that domestic violence has on students, while connecting those experiencing violence to PEACE Program counselling.
 
Contact the Children & Youth Counsellor at 250-493-4366 ext. 102 or PEACE@sowins.com for further information on individual counselling or the Violence is Preventable program for your school. 
 

frequently asked questions​

Not sure what to expect or where to start?

This FAQ answers common questions about the PEACE Program and how we support children and youth who have experienced domestic violence. If you don’t see your question here, please reach out, we’re here to help.

How much does the PEACE Program cost?

This is a free program funded by MPSSG – The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 

Even if signs are present, the child needs to be developmentally ready to engage. 

  • Can the child express emotions or thoughts, even in basic terms? 
  • Does the child show some awareness of feelings like sadness, fear, or anger? 
  • Is the child able to engage in play, storytelling, art, or games (which are often used in child counselling)? 
  • Is the child able to separate from caregivers for short periods without extreme distress? 

If you are unsure, the counsellor will assess the child’s readiness over the first few sessions to determine if sessions will continue or if it is better to wait. 

Due to high demand, children and youth are usually placed on a waitlist before meeting a counsellor. Once a counsellor becomes available, the parent or caregiver will attend an intake session to help set goals for counselling. Counselling sessions typically last 30–45 minutes and take place in our dedicated PEACE room, a safe, warm, and welcoming environment. Counsellors use client-centered approaches such as play, storytelling, and art, and focus on both program goals and personal goals set with the child and family. Children typically attend 10–12 weekly or bi-weekly sessions, with the possibility of additional sessions based on progress.

PEACE Counselling is most often one-to-one, but may include siblings or parents when appropriate. Children from the same family (ages 5–18) who have experienced domestic violence can attend individually or, in some cases, together. Group counselling may also be offered when children have several children with similar goals and similar ages.  

Yes, under the Infants Act in BC, a youth may consent to health care that is defined as “anything that constitutes a therapeutic, preventative, palliative, diagnostic, cosmetic or other health related purpose, and includes a course of healthy care.” (Infants Act, sec. 17, subsection 1) Though the Children and Youth Peace Program does promote parent’s involvement in their children/youth’s counselling there may be situations in which this is not possible. Children and youth can ask for and receive support without obtaining their parent or guardian’s consent. 

Let your child or youth know that PEACE offers a safe place to talk about their feelings and experiences with someone neutral. Young people like to feel they have some control in their lives; counselling can give them a place to explore their feelings and frustrations and talk about their experiences in a safe, supportive environment.   

Children and youth decide how much or how little they want to share with the counsellor and have some say in the direction counselling takes.  They decide if they want to talk or participate in discussions and activities.  Counsellors will respect the child’s right to decided whether they want to engage in counselling session at all. They will also respect their right to confidentiality, as well as the parent’s/caregiver’s right to confidentiality. 

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to be involved. Counsellors can provide guidance and help connect you to additional supports. To build trust, it’s important not to pressure your child to share details. The counsellor won’t disclose specifics from sessions but will keep you informed of general progress, strengths, and concerns.

A referral for our PEACE Program is typically not appropriate if, 

  • The child or youth is still being exposed to violence and not in a safe space. 
  • There is suspected or known sexual abuse 
    • In which case we would refer them to the SAIP program or our SAS program (depending on their age and situation) 
  • There is an open, ongoing, or upcoming court date in relation to parenting time, custody etc.  
  • If either parent with parenting rights does not approve of the child engaging in peace program services.  
  • The child or you has expressed that they are not interested in counselling 

To find out more about the program or to register- Give us a call at 250-493-4366 ext. 102, or email peace@sowins.com 

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Cindy

Growing up in Penticton holds very special memories so it seemed natural to bring her family back here to experience some of that magic.
Over the last 25 years, Cindy has enjoyed a fulfilling career in home improvement and design as well as donating her time with charity projects through-out the community.

Closest to her heart is spending as much time as possible with family and friends entertaining, camping, bike riding and most of all, traveling. “Sharing in the ways other people celebrate their cultures with music, food and story telling enriches one’s perspective on life.”

Cindy joined SOWINS in 2024 as part of the 1st INSPIRING HOPE Design team.

Kristi

Kristi is a leader in the utilities and infrastructure sector, with hands-on experience delivering complex capital programs from engineering design through project management. She leads a dedicated team of program and construction managers, fostering a culture centered on safety, quality, and genuine community impact. Known for her collaborative and people-focused style, Kristi is passionate about growing strong teams and creating environments where individuals thrive.
Kristi brings to the SOWINS board strong operational insight, experience in governance and risk management, and a commitment to supporting vulnerable women and families. She is proud to contribute to an organization that plays such a vital role in the South Okanagan community.

Marvin

I relocated from Saskatchewan to Vancouver in 1987 and spent the next 30 years building and operating several small businesses—including launching my own financial management services company. Over the years, I’ve worked with startups, well-established retail operations, and consulting firms, providing full-service bookkeeping, accounting, and financial oversight.

Between 2015 and 2016, my stepson played hockey in Penticton, which gave my wife and me the opportunity to visit the area frequently. We quickly fell in love with the community and made the decision to purchase a home here in 2019—a choice that’s become one of our very best.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I have a longstanding commitment to community service. I have been actively involved in organizing and volunteering at squash events, fostering sportsmanship and community engagement. Additionally, I have successfully led fundraising initiatives for various health charities, demonstrating my dedication to supporting vital causes and making a positive impact.

I’m excited to join the SOWINS finance committee and contribute my skills to support the organization’s critical work in the Penticton community.

Lorraine

After spending 25 years in Saskatchewan and 25 years in Alberta, Lorraine has decided to make Penticton her forever home. And what a beautiful place to be.

Lorraine brings 30+ years of office administration and financial understanding to the Board including Director of Finance at 2 not-for-profit organizations. After serving on several boards, she brings financial insight, board development, and special project management.

She is honoured to bring her unique experiences and abilities collaborating with others for a community without violence and abuse.

Anne

Anne is a retired leader in community services, having served as the Director of Parks, Culture and Community Services and before that Manager of Social Services for the District of West Vancouver, as well as Executive Director for Parkgate Community Services Society. She also has experience working in community based roles in Calgary and Melbourne, Australia. She has extensive experience in board governance, building community partnerships and collaborating with government and non-profit organizations. Anne currently serves on the Board of the North Shore Neighbourhood House. After spending over 30 summers here with her family, she and her husband moved permanently to Penticton two years ago. Anne enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, hiking, biking and all water sports, and continuing to help make a positive impact in her community. Anne looks forward to contributing her experience to support SOWINS vision of a community without abuse or violence.

Rick – Director of Finance

Rick oversees the accounting and financial operations of the organization.
He is a CPA with extensive work experience in banking, construction, environmental services, and non-profit organizations.
Rick was also on the Board of Directors for several years with two non-profit organizations when he resided in the lower mainland.
You can reach Rick at rick.k@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 112.

Erica – Director of Community Based Programs and Services

Erica has had various roles in SOWINS since 2000. Her passion for supporting children led to her working with families and children in the transition house and then to working as a PEACE Counsellor. Erica began to work in the Stopping the Violence program as a coordinator and counsellor. She then stepped into the role of Director of Continuous Improvement supporting staff to work from a trauma informed lens. Today, Erica is in the role Director of Community Based Programs and Services.
Erica can be reached at erica.mp@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 104.

Jessica

Jessica is a Senior Financial Planner at RBC and has been helping families and entrepreneurs reach their goals for over eight years. She specializes in business succession planning and estate planning. She has a passion for helping people achieve their goals and while sitting on the board of SOWINS she hopes to help women in need do so as well. She is excited to bring her skillset to the table alongside other inspiring women to help those in need!

Kayla

Kayla is a CPA based out of the BDO Penticton office and has over 8 years of experience providing audit and accounting services to a range of organizations including municipal governments and not-for-profit organizations. She also has extensive experience volunteering with another organization that supports women through education and women’s issues are a top priority for her. She is very excited to be able to serve her community through the important work that SOWINS does in South Okanagan.

Brenda

Indigenous Tourism Association BC – Chair, Tourism Industry Association of British
Columbia – Board Member, Coalition of BC Tourism & Hospitality Businesses
As a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Brenda graduated as a Registered Nurse specializing in Indigenous health with a focus on community development, and worked with the Osoyoos Indian Band in the area of community health. Brenda is honoured and humbled to have been awarded the Order of BC in 2021 for her work in Indigenous Tourism.

Liz
Working in organizations to address community needs, program development and teaching are the threads that run through Liz’s work and volunteer life. She has worked in community recreation, employment readiness and fire prevention education. Her skills lead her into the fire service where she worked with children, youth and adults in fire prevention initiatives in Penticton and Indigenous Communities throughout BC. Liz is pleased to be a member of the SOWINS Board and looks forward to being a part of a team that actively supports healthy families and communities.

Sydney Bell

Sydney

Sydney moved to Penticton in 2022 and is delighted to be living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with her husband and two dogs, Nigel and Penelope. Sydney is a prairie girl, having been born and raised in Saskatchewan. After living recently in Ontario for a few years she is glad to be back in Western Canada. A registered social worker, Sydney has contributed to the communities she has lived in through her work as a community developer, program manager and various volunteer roles. She also provides counselling support to individuals through an online psychotherapy practice.

Sydney has a long history volunteering and working with organizations that support vulnerable women and families and is thrilled to contribute to the good work of SOWINS in her new community as a volunteer board member.

Kerri

As a communications professional with a business development background, Kerri enjoys bringing people together. Through her work in media and promotions, Kerri strives to provide innovative solutions and make meaningful connections for people and businesses. She looks forward to promoting and supporting all the great work that SOWINS does.

Sharon – Secretary
Sharon has been in business for 35 years. She has a Family Studies degree and an MBA. Over the years, Sharon’s commitment to her community has included the Penticton Rotary, the Penticton Chamber Board, and the Penticton Economic Development Committee. She is now retired and looking forward to supporting SOWINS with the critical work they do in the South Okanagan.

Susie

Susie has been working in the design and marketing field for the past 15 yrs, operating her own studio, with a strong passion for women-owned and small business. She is currently also on a planning committee for an attainable housing project in Summerland. Susie is honoured to help support SOWINS, and the invaluable work they do for women and families in our communities.

Danielle Goulden – Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and academic sectors, Goulden is able to draw from multiple disciplines and professional experience to lead SOWINS into its next chapter of sustainable growth to meet the growing needs in the South Okanagan. Goulden believes that a fundamental component of any non-profit organization’s philosophy is to continuously strive for excellence through effective partnerships, collaboration, planning, and action.

To chat with Danielle, you can contact her at execdirector@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 101

Marni – Fund Development Advisor

Marni has been fundraising and raising awareness for community charities for more than 20 years. She manages all SOWINS fundraising initiatives, marketing, and media!

Reach out to Marni with any questions you may have about donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, media, and marketing at fundraising@sowins.com or by phone at 250-488-1268

Irene – Manager, Residential Services

Irene started with SOWINS in 2003 as a Practicum student and it did not take long for her to be hired as a Women’s Support Worker in 2004.

For the past 6 years, Irene has been Manager of the Transition House and take pride in providing client centered support.

To connect with Irene, you can email her at TH.manager@sowins.com or call 250-809-6563.

Liz – Executive Director

For over 28 years, Liz has been employed with SOWINS in various roles. Her first 22 years were spent as a Family Support Worker and PEACE Counsellor and later moved into the Housing Coordinator role. In 2021, Liz stepped into the newly created Director of Community Based Programs and Services, overseeing the numerous support services SOWINS provides to families in the South Okanagan. Today, Liz is in the role of Executive Director for the organization.

Liz can be reached at liz.g@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 120.

Korina – Director of Human Resources

Korina joined SOWINS in 2020 as our Director of Human Resources and brings with her over 15 years experience navigating collective agreements, policy, and legislation in municipal government. She is passionate about supporting the organizational greatest asset, its people!

You can contact Korina at hra@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 110.

Sharon – Director of Strategy and Operations

With a BA in Administrative Studies Sharon enjoyed providing administrative support to SOWINS since 1993 and is proud to be a part of the client services that SOWINS provides.

Sharon can be reached at sharon@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 116

Danielle Goulden – Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and academic sectors, Goulden is able to draw from multiple disciplines and professional experience to lead SOWINS into its next chapter of sustainable growth to meet the growing needs in the South Okanagan. Goulden believes that a fundamental component of any non-profit organization’s philosophy is to continuously strive for excellence through effective partnerships, collaboration, planning, and action.

To chat with Danielle, you can contact her at execdirector@sowins.com or 250-493-4366 extension 101