Hearts in the Park - Raising Awareness of Domestic Violence
The University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing participated in the “Hearts in the Park” event hosted by community partner The Circle Project, at Regina’s Victoria Park.
The event was in honor of loved ones who have felt the impact of violence. “We want to raise the level of awareness, in creation of a safer community for all, by inviting people to show us your heart,” said Ann Perry, Executive Director of The Circle Project in Regina.
This partnership provided Raymond McKay, College of Nursing Regina campus student, the opportunity to work for The Circle Project as a research assistant and community role model last summer. His research assignment was to investigate and estimate the cost of one incident of domestic violence and the results were staggering.
For McKay the experience was eye-opening, “the problem is 100% preventable”, says McKay. “In nursing school we learn the benefits of health prevention in hopes of eliminating the need for hospitalization as long as possible as well as utilizing an ‘upstream approach’ wherein individuals are encouraged to make smarter health decisions. It’s the same with addictions and mental health. We need to break that cycle.” McKay added that while he was able to calculate the financial cost of domestic violence, the impact on children, relationships and families can take a much larger toll.
McKay also planned and facilitated a three day Circle Project Summer Wellness Camp. He served as positive role model for the children and their families who attended the camp. And all of the children understood that Raymond was going to university to become a nurse.
The College of Nursing educates and prepares students in all aspects of health and well-being across a person’s life span - including meaningful work experiences, provide important services for our community stakeholders and gain a better understanding about the wide variety of needs in both local and rural communities.
The Circle Project is an urban based, Aboriginal organization that provides programs and services in Regina, such as family violence counselling, employment preparation, a children’s daycare, and an infant and toddler daycare.