In the News

Our tattoo raffle is live.Tattoo’s may be only skin deep, but when you enter our Beyond the Surface tattoo raffle, you show support that comes from the heart. The Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC) invites you to go Beyond the Surface and help provide support and services to children when they need it most. You could win one of 10 fabulous prizes donated by a very talented group of local tattoo artists.

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month, an important time to recognize the role that we can all play in preventing child abuse. This is an important issue which impacts many of us. In fact, one in three Albertans will experience sexual violence or abuse before they turn 18. Observed annually, Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the prevalence of child abuse in our community and empower individuals to become advocates for children in need.

The ability of art to communicate powerful messages is being harnessed this May by the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre to raise awareness of issues related to sexual violence. On May 5,, the Centre launched a unique art show at the Yates Theatre Gallery designed celebrate the strength and resilience of those impacted by sexual violence while fostering important conversations about the subject. Impact Unveiled: Beyond the Silence is a show curated from contributions from local artists sharing messages of survival, strength, empowerment and the emotions tied to these experiences.

We were so excited to introduce our new Facility Dog Link to the community. Click the links below to watch some of the stories from our local media partners: MyLethbridgeNow CTV Lethbridge Lethbridge Herald Bridge City News Link II will work primarily at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a program of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, as part of a team helping children, youth and families deal with the traumatic effects of abuse.

To mark the beginning of Sexual Violence Prevention Month in May. Heidi Echavarria from Bridge City News stopped by to chat with Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie. To watch the full story click here

March 20, 2025

Heidi Echavarria from Bridge City News chats with Cheryl Patterson, manager of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre about the upcoming RunWild fundraising run which raises funds for Child and Youth Advocacy Centres across Canada. Click here to watch

Catholic Central High School’s production of the iconic musical Mamma Mia! is hoping to connect with audiences and community. The production is donating $5.00 from each ticket sold for three special “sing-along” performances March 15, 19 and 22 to the Chinook Cild and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC). Cheryl Patterson, Manager of the CCYAC, took part in a press conference to promote the production. Mamma Mia! runs from March 14 until March 22 with performances at 7:00 p.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie was interviewed by My Lethbridge Now about why it is important that we continue to be involved in Pink Shirt Day.

Click here to read: https://www.mylethbridgenow.com/51633/news/community/no-better-time-than-now-to-promote-kindness-and-inclusivity/

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie comments on the disturbing case of on an alleged sexual assault of a child at a public swimming pool in this story from Global Lethbridge.

Click here to watch https://globalnews.ca/news/11026422/lethbridge-child-sexual-assault-charges/

We are so proud of Anna Campmans and so appreciative of her volunteer work here at the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre. Check out this story on Global Lethbridge about her well deserved award from the YWCA.

Click here to watch: https://globalnews.ca/news/11026391/ywca-southern-alberta-women-of-distinction/

Every year, thousands of people across Canada are impacted by human trafficking. A new documentary titled “Into the Light” will be released soon. Into the Light will explore human trafficking in Indigenous communities in Alberta and includes an interview with our CEO Kristine Cassie. Native Counselling Services of Alberta is producing the film which is endeavouring to take human trafficking out of the dark and into the light of education, wellness and healing.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/CPdO4z0Uw4I?si=9UBvoo6kO6i7PzHI

Are your kids safe this summer? During the summer months children and youth have more time on their hands … and more time to spend online. Our July episode of Voices in the Wind is out now. In it we talk to Cpl. Heather Bangle with the Southern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) who will talk about the dangers lurking online and what parents can do to keep their kids safe.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO Kristine Cassie was a special guest on the CBC program Just Asking. The topic, “How to have difficult conversations about sexual assault” generated lots of important discussion. Click the link below to listen to the full episode or look for Just Asking on your favourite podcast app.

Click this link to listen: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-1424-just-asking/clip/16117499-how-difficult-conversations-sexual-assault

Where would you go? The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre is excited to announce our Dream Vacation Raffle. Here’s a chance to dream your perfect vacation. Over $10,000 in prizes are up for grabs in our Dream Vacation Raffle. You could win a roundtrip flight for two guests to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet location*, plus a fabulous prize package from our local supporters to help you travel in style. And, for those that get their tickets by July 9, you could win two tickets to see The Weeknd at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

Meet Link II, the new Accredited Facility Dog at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC). In this episode of our podcast Voices in the Wind, we welcome Baylee Schmidt, Supervisor with the CCYAC and Link’s handler. Baylee will talk about the impact Link has made with the kids he works with and how he adds to the welcoming environment at the CCYAC. We’ll also speak to Meredith Areskoug, Communications Manager with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), the organization which provided Link II to our organization.

#WeBelieveSurvivors Today’s not guilty verdict for all five accused in the Hockey Canada players trial in London, Ontario is a profound setback for all survivors of sexual assault. This outcome is not only devastating for the individual survivor in this case, but reverberates across communities, undermining the courage it takes to come forward and driving home, once again, how the voices and lives of women and girls are too often discounted.

The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre spoke to local media recently about an increase in funding from the Government of Alberta for the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Check out the local coverage by clicking the links below. Lethbridge Herald Global Lethbridge (story at 3:57)

In recognition of International Day of Charity on September 5, we welcome two stalwart supporters of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre for a special panel discussion on charity. Our guests Amanda Engler and Michele Montgomery talk about the important work of charities, about their reasons for supporting charities, and why businesses and individuals should get involved. To watch click here