STRATEGIC PLAN
2008 to 2013
OUR MISSION:
To empower women and children affected by sexual violence, violence in relationships, and/or who are
in conflict with the law to achieve dignity, security and equality in the community.
OUR VISION:
A safe and healthy community characterized by personal dignity, mutual respect and shared
accountability.
Counselling
and Emotional
Support
Practical
Advocacy &
Support &
Social Change
Information
STRATEGIES
Excellence in
planning & Prevention &
resource Education
development
Training &
Skill
Development
STRATEGIC GOALS:
For women and children:
To foster immediate and long term safety of women and children.
To promote self determination and independence of women.
To address barriers to women’s social and economic equality.
To foster wellness and personal development.
To advance a strong voice in the community on behalf of criminalized and victimized women
and children.
For organizational excellence:
To optimize our resources for the greatest impact.
To foster a productive and positive work environment for staff and volunteers.
To set a course driven by a clear values, purpose, and priorities.
To strengthen community support and financial resources.
Background:
In 2007, the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society commemorated 35 years of service to our local
community. We also began the process of planning for the next five years. Together, we reaffirmed our
commitment to shared leadership and sustainable long term solutions for our organization as well as for
the community we serve.
Our Changing Community
A review of emerging local, provincial and national trends revealed a number of key issues affecting the
Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society (COEFS).
Our review drew from feedback from those accessing services and from staff and volunteers providing
direct services at our Society. Another important source of data for our review was the 5th edition of
Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report issued by Statistics Canada in March of 2006.
Individuals accessing services from our organization have increased in number as well as in the
complexity of needs and challenges.
A review of each core service area of COEFS revealed the following trends:
There has been a 17% increase in the number of victimized and criminalized women and
children accessing our individual advocacy and support services.
There has been an increase of 27% children and youth and 49% adult women and men seeking
counselling services to overcome the effects of sexual abuse or assault.
Structural barriers impacting the wellbeing and security of those accessing services at COEFS
include: economic disadvantage, lack of affordable housing, and lack of adequate health care,
legal aid, and child care resources.
BC continues to report the highest child poverty rate of all the provinces (Source: Statistics Canada’s
Income Trends in Canada 1980-2005). According to the 2007 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in
Canada, “Lone mothers and their children continue to be one of the most economically vulnerable
groups with almost 1 in every 2 female lone parents living in poverty” (Campaign 2000).
Women’s involvement in the criminal justice system continues to reflect women’s social and economic
disadvantage. Women continue to be considerably more likely than men to be victims of violent crimes
such as sexual assault and criminal harassment (stalking). There has been no change in the rates of
spousal violence reported during the past five years (Women in Canada 2005).
While women’s involvement in criminal activities is low in comparison to that of men, the rate at which
women are being charged with offences is rising. Most charges against women are for poverty-related
offences such as theft and prostitution.
These challenges reinforce the critical role of the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society in providing
vital services and in advocating for positive social change.
COEFS Strategic Plan At-a-Glance
Core Service Strategies Range 0-2/2-5/5-10 Progress
Sexual Abuse / Provide flexible short and long term counseling services to adult and child victims of sexual violence. Ongoing
Assault Counselling Adopt evidence-based therapeutic models for treatment of abuse-related trauma. Ongoing
Centre Increase accessibility of counseling services by developing outreach services and by hiring more counselors as resources
become available. 0-5 Partial meet
Develop services which proactively address inter-generational risk factors for sexual abuse. 2-5 Funds req’d
Individual Support & Increase awareness of services available and legal rights of women served. 0-2 In progress
Information Foster collaborative partnerships within the community and criminal justice system. Ongoing
Maintain services available at Kelowna Law Courts. Ongoing
Implement Shaping tomorrow: A Central Okanagan Strategy for Action of Sexual Violence as resources become
available. 0-2 Partial meet
Establish services on the Westside as resources become available. 5-10
Increase availability of Outreach Services as resources become available. 0-2 Partial meet
Act as a conduit to medical, legal, social ,and economic remedies. Ongoing
Abuse Prevention & Increase awareness of the impact of and solutions to violence against women and sexual abuse of children. Ongoing
Education Increase awareness of the needs and rights of criminalized women. Ongoing
Provide self protection skills to children and youth at risk of experiencing abuse. Ongoing
Address underlying societal attitudes regarding gender-based violence. Ongoing
Women’s Bridging Assist women affected by abuse to overcome the economic and psychological impact of abuse. Ongoing
Employment Training Provide personal development services. Ongoing
Provide job coaching, mentorship, and training to women. Ongoing
Advocacy & Social Monitor and address systemic barriers to social and economic security of women. Ongoing
Change Promote community involvement on behalf of criminalized and victimized women. Ongoing
Monitor the barriers to women’s equality and basic human rights and take action on behalf of vulnerable women and
children. Ongoing
Put forward a strong case for improving policies and services responding to sexual violence. 0-2
Put forward a strong case for improving community-based options for criminalized women. 0-2
Maintain effective partnerships with local service providers, provincial, and federal associations. Ongoing
Human Resources Provide a healthy and flexible work environment for Society staff and volunteers. Ongoing
Invest in training and professional development for staff and volunteers. Ongoing
Develop a succession plan for CR’s and ED. 0-2
Make effective use of volunteer resources. 0-2
Finance Develop a fundraising strategy that strengthens and sustains program and capital requirements and supports future
growth. 0-2 Completed
Support resource management and planning through the provision of timely and accurate information. 0-2
Strengthen our endowment fund as resources become available. 5-10
Communications Advance a strong brand for the Society that is appealing to the diversity of our clients and partners. 0-2 Completed
Act as a strong and credible voice on behalf of criminalized and victimized women and children in our community. Ongoing
Facilities Upgrade computer equipment for all programs. 0-2 Completed!
Make improvements to group counseling space in order to accommodate larger groups, training workshops, and yoga
activities. 0-2 Completed!
Purchase our own building. 2-5 / 5-10?
Governance Set a clear purpose and compelling vision for the Organization. Review in 2010
Monitor based upon organizational performance benchmarks of excellence. 2010