Oh, the back-to-school season! Leaves are coming down, textbooks are being cracked, and Vancouver Community College is preparing to take action on gendered violence under WAVAW’s leadership!  WAVAW’s C.A.R.E. (Campus Allied Response Effort) About Gendered Violence project at VCC aims to get students, instructors and staff members learning about the root causes of violence and working together to make campus safer for the women studying and working on campus!

Here’s just some of what’s in store for C.A.R.E. in the fall term:

• On October 2^nd and 3^rd, the VCC community will celebrate the launch of C.A.R.E. by taking in some live music from Peak Performance Project Finalist and WAVAW supporter Melissa Endean, speakers, cake, and a visual display of students’ ideas for creating a safer campus. Come join the fun!
• WAVAW is recruiting students, faculty members and staff to sit on the C.A.R.E. Taskforce.  Beginning in early October, the Taskforce will meet twice monthly to take stock of VCC’s current policies and resources, identify the College’s strengths and areas for improvement, and develop a Campus Action Plan to better prevent and respond to gender-based violence on campus.  Before the project officially wraps up in September of 2014, the Taskforce will take concrete steps to make the Campus Action Plan a reality.
• From September 9^th to 27^th, all registered VCC students had the opportunity to complete surveys online or in person to share their thoughts about gendered violence and VCC’s services and policies. Students’ input will shape the Campus Action Plan developed by the C.A.R.E. Taskforce.
• In November, VCC students will be invited to create artwork that expresses their vision of a safe and inclusive campus, with the opportunity to win prizes or have their work displayed on campus.
• Throughout the term, the C.A.R.E. Coordinators will reach out to students through workshops, info sessions and special events!

To learn more, visit the C.A.R.E. About Gendered Violence web page, follow us on Facebook, or email us at carevcc@salalsvsc.ca.