Next Meeting: Thurs., Sept. 28 in Central Saanich

VFCJYC meetings are a moveable feast. While the CRD boardroom is our regular haunt, we’ve met in the past in Colwood, Sidney, Sooke and elsewhere. We begin our fall sessions at the District of Central Saanich Municipal Hall, 11:30 AM to 1 PM, with the regular Zoom option for those who can’t join us in person (Email our Marnie Essery for details). 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road in Saanichton.

Grant Update

To date this year we’ve funded Sanctuary Youth Centre ($3k towards its Wellness Wednesday program) and the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society ($5.3k for its 2023 Summer Opportunities program). As you’ll read at right, applications are welcome year-round for consideration by the Committee.

Open House for Frontline Service Providers

Thanks to all who attended our June 13 Open House. A most enjoyable meet-and-greet that introduced our members to a wide range of local heroes delivering essential services to young people and their families in Greater Victoria. Consensus closing comment: Let’s do it again!  (See the Open House hand-out.)

Social Media Links

Please follow/like/share our Facebook page and Twitter feed.

VFCYJC regular meetings 2023

Thursdays, January 26, February 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, Sept. 28, Oct. 26 and Nov. 23, all from 11:30 to 1:30 PM ~ Capital Regional District Board Room, 625 Fisgard St. with Zoom option. Meetings may also be held in member municipalities.

New to the website …

– MYST funding update – April 2023 Good one-year news re: Greater Victoria’s Mobile Youth Services Team + our 2022 advocacy + the Crime Reduction and Exploitation Diversion (CRED) program + support from the CRD Board and municipal councils

– Strategic Plan 2023-2026 (approved April 27)

– Our 2022 Annual Report

– We’re now a delegated commission of the Capital Regional District

– A list of our 2023 membership appointees

– Orientation presentation by Chair Marie-Terese Little at the Feb. 23, 2023 meeting

– For more information about the Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee please contact:

Chair:  Marie-Terese Little, email mtlittle@metchosin.ca

Vice Chair: Adam Flint, email flintadam@gmail.com

Secretary:  Marnie Essery, email vfamcourt@gmail.com

Tel 250-474-5939

Call For Submissions: VFCYJC Grants

2023 Call for Submissions + Application Form (word or .RTF) [please note that we now accept applications in any amount year-round for consideration at our regular meetings. Applications received after the third week of June must wait for consideration until we meet again in September.]  

The Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee provides modest funding for community projects educating and assisting youth and families who are at risk or may come into contact with the criminal or family legal systems. Projects should focus on prevention, education and/or diversion.

Email submissions and/or send questions to the VFCYJC or the CRD’s Steven Carey.

If an organization, the Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer (or designated signatory) must sign all submissions.

Grants over the years have been awarded to Greater Victoria organizations for events, workshops, scholarships, and special projects and programs. These include:

  • Reimagining Masculinities conference
  • Sidney Youth Clinic
  • Cornerstone Youth Society
  • Victoria Sexual Assault Centre
  • Metchosin Foundation
  • Capital Region Action Team
  • Mary’s Farm Society
  • West Shore Policing Advisory Committee
  • Communica Dialogue and Resolution Services
  • Boys and Girls Club of Victoria
  • Healthy Minds Canada
  • Pacific Centre Family Resource Association’s Crime Reduction & Exploitation Diversion program

Important Links

Young people and families in the Capital region who become entangled with the justice system for any number of potential reasons are often faced with a daunting journey into the unknown.

Established under the BC Provincial Court Act (1966) and expanded under the Federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (1987), the Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee is dedicated to educating the public about the juvenile justice system, reviewing family and youth legislation, advocating to legislative bodies, and monitoring court hearings and custody facilities.

The committee directly connects regional and municipal decision-makers with frontline service providers. Its voting members are a mix of school district trustees, local government elected representatives and appointees of the Capital Regional District, which collects and provides annual funding.

Our subcommittees include Court Watch, Restorative Justice, Youth Mental Health, Family Matters, Youth Matters, Communications, Priorities/Grants and the Capital Region Action Team (CRAT).

As a result of its broad legislated mandate, the VFCYJC engages with many sectors of our community:  children, parents, caregivers, teachers, youth-serving agencies, social workers, lawyers, judges, police, probation officers and restorative justice and victim services workers, among others.

In February, 2022, following a comprehensive two-year review involving committee members and CRD staff, the VFCYJC became a delegated commission of the Capital Regional District with the adoption of CRD Bylaw No. 4553.

Our committee members are asked to:

  • Be aware of the circumstances for youth in the justice, protection, divorce and custody systems.
  • Review and comment on legislation.
  • Facilitate collaboration between community service providers and governance bodies in the interest of better supporting youth and families.
  • Be involved in maintaining the connections between youth and family serving agencies for each community.
  • Advocate for policies and initiatives that improve outcomes for families and youth who may come in contact with the justice system.
  • Increase awareness of the issues facing families and youth involved in the family or youth justice systems.
  • Pursue and promote meaningful reconciliation with the Indigenous community.
  • Support equity of access to resources across the region.