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A safe haven for abused children
centre, provides a safe, neutral and confi- dential environment where young victims of physical and/or sexual abuse can meet with police services, Children’s Aid Society of SD & G and others. The driving vision for the centre began in 2006, when a group of volunteer community members formed as a response to the Cornwall Public Inquiry Phase 2: Healing and Reconciliation. The group became an incorporated organiza- tion named PrévAction and was asked to provide input to the Commissioner. It was recognized that the development and im- plementation of a Child and Youth advoca- cy centre was needed for the region. “The intent of this centre is to minimize the impact and effect of the abuse on chil- dren and their interactions with victims and witness professionals such as crown attorneys, police, child welfare workers and medical personnel, explained Parkinson. The Cornwall Community Police Service is proud to have been involved for the past several years in the evolution and creation of this invaluable service to victims of crime.” “What a great day it is today,” said Richard
FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
CORNWALL | About 60 people packed Ko- ala Place, on May 22, for the official open- ing of the centre. Several dignitaries such as MP Guy Lauzon, MPP JimMcDonell and acting mayor Glen Grant were amongst the familiar faces that could be seen dur- ing the ceremony. Since January 6, the centre has helped 36 children and teens. “The creation of Koala Place is the culmi- nation of an effort by many individuals and community organizations, stated Daniel Parkinson, chief of the Cornwall Community Police.“It comes as a response to the recom- mendations of the Cornwall Public Inquiry and is modeled after successful centres across the province, country and continent.” “We’ve been organizing it since 2009,” explained Elyse Lauzon-Alguire, executive director for Koala Place. “With the help of Justice Canada, we finally managed to es- tablish the centre earlier this year.” Koala Place, a child and youth advocacy
Photos Francis Racine
About 60 people packed Koala Place, on May 22, for the official opening of the centre. Elyse Lauzon-Alguire, execu- tive director, delivered a passionate and emotion-filled speech in front of the crowd that had gathered. Allaire, chair of Koala Place. “Cornwall has played a decisive role in the establishing of the centre. If it wouldn’t be for the Fed- eral government, we wouldn’t be here right now.” Later on during the presentation, Allaire was honored with a large plaque, high- lighting his many local feats and his dedi- cated work towards Koala Place.
5 e journée des enfants disparus
Photo Francis Racine
Pour la cinquième année de suite, Jean Bédard, ainsi que son équipe, ont voulu sensibil- iser le public au sort des personnes disparues dans notre communauté. «C’est un événe- ment vraiment important», a expliqué Syd Gardiner, conseiller municipal, lors de la journée qui eu lieu le 21 mai dernier au Cornwall Square. Plusieurs autres dignitaires importants de la communauté, comme Gérald Samson et Elaine McDonald, étaient présents. Ci-dessus, on reconnaît Michel Pilon, Mike Vernier, Jean Bédard, Syd Gardiner, le caporal Marc Rose, Jocelyne Tremblay, Crystal Bonin ainsi que Gérald Samson.
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