NEWS photo Cindy Goodman Cuddly Lion AB.C. Lions player takes a breathe: among an appre- clative crowd during a basketbali game fundraiser in which a team of Lions took on the Sutherland Sabres senior girls’ basketball team. Fundraiser benefits veatment program “Tam 11 years old. When I came to coun- selling I felt very uncomfortable, like I was the only one. After nine months, I feel a lot safer and secure.” These are the words of just one young boy who has been (helped by © Fami: Services of the North Shore’s Children’s Sexual Abuse Treatment Program. Over the past 15 months three dozen children under the age of 13 have been referred to this program, ~ which deals with the after- math of sexual abuse. The program is funded in part by a grant from the Blackcomb Foundation. The Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the BC Tel Mobility Blackcomb Foundation Winter Classic, was held Friday, February 7th at the Whistler Convention Centre. The wine tasting/skiing/mountain top dinner dance and auction drew more than 500 people and raised more chan $70,000. Since the Blackcomb Foundation was formed in 1993, approximately $250,000 has been donated to registered charities within the Sea to Sky Corridor and Vancouver, The Foundation recently made a grant to Family Services of the North Shore for its Children’s Sexual Abuse Treatment Program. Children, who have dis closed some form of scrual abuse are referred to Family Services Of the North Shor. by the Ministry tor Children and Families, — parents, schools, physicians, and com- munity service providers. The children are hurt, contused, angry and they are sometimes “traumatized little souls,” in the words of pro- gram counselor Chandler. “Our = individual and group counselling helps chil- dren deal with their feehrgs, learn healthy ways of coping and more adaptive social skills,” says Chandler. . “It’s common for children to blame themselves. Their self-esteem is eroded.” ii the words of another young client: “the coun- selling, has already héiped me. I don’t have any more night- mares and I feet real safe around my family. Wendy Chandler is a kind, gentle person. She has heard noth- ing that will shock her.” There are also services — both individual and group counselling, — for the non- abusive parents. Counselors help them deal with the con- fusion, anger and guilt result- ing frora having a child who has been abused. The focus is on helping parents define boundaries, to create the supportive envi- ronment their children need for healthy development. In just over a year, Family Services has treated three dozen North Shore children. The abuse is being acknowl- edged and the healing has begun. For further information about the Children’s Sexual Abuse Treatment Program contact Family Services of the North Shore at 988-5281. Wendy A new two-year Theatre Diploma pre- gram, to be offered at Capilano College in September 1997, will provide full-time com- prehensive theatre training with some openings for part-time study. Partirpation in studio courses, theatre history. crt cism, the dramaue arts and performance will all be included i the pre protes sional progrant. Graduates will be able te transfer to UNIVErsiTy ter pur sue a degree or to enter the College's one-year Advanced Cernttcare Pheatre program “The new program repre sents the our curinnt Pheatre Deparnment tea cull we sear diploma program.” sayy Jechn Waters. dean of Arts at Camhaine Cotlege, “Atthe same tis, we wil be implementing a one vedr Advanced Cercifivate in Vheatre oACE), which wil be dehvercd on a cost recs erable basis. * his usique program will bridge sheatre training and protessional theatre practice. Hs purpose is. to create a small theatre company com orsed entirely of students Transtormaadan of Wednesday, March 26, 1997 -- North Shore News — 37 Cap College adds theatre course and te give each oof them pracheal experience ina spe- cuthiived area of theatre. The college has also recetved approval from. the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training to offer mm the tall of 1998 a Gne vear Advanced | Certificate in Performing Arts Management. This program will include courses in. busi- ness and organizational skills needed ta run a performing ares establishment. “Powether with our uni: versity transfer programs in Musi and Jazz Studies, the new Theatre programs will establish Capilano College as a significant centre for per- forming arts,” Waters savs. “We are also looking towards introducing a Dance pro- vram sometime in the future. The stage of our new 350- seat performance theatre has been constructed with thar in mind.” Epilepsy is a disorder, @ nota | disease. 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