The Road to 50 Years…
Since 1974, the Society has focused on providing a strong voice representing children and youth and advocating for their well-being in British Columbia. Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a foundation, SCY has a track record of creating and delivering programs that have motivated change in legislation, policy, and practice in Canada.
History
SCY has a rich and varied history over the past 50 years. Here are a few memorable projects and highlights – add your own voice by sharing with us how SCY has impacted you!
1970s
- Government disbands Vancouver Children’s Aid Society 1974 Action Society for Children (ASC) – founded by past board members of Vancouver Children’s Aid
- Society focused on providing a strong voice in the province representing children and youth
- Became the BC branch of the Canadian Council on Children and Youth – working to defend the rights of youth
- 1978 ASC changed name to TRACY of BC (Taking Responsible Action for Children and Youth) – working to promote awareness of the needs of children and youth
- Strong focus on children and play
- First in BC to research sexual abuse (“The Sexual Exploitation of Children: An Initial Study” 1979)
- Began development of a framework for Community Action and Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children
- Provided a “watch dog” function over policies and practices affecting children, youth, and their families
- Hosted a series of forums on the “First Three Years of Life”
1980s
- Changed name to Society for Children and Youth of BC in 1983
- Participated in task forces and research projects
- Pioneer role in the field of child sexual abuse prevention – developed school-based program that became established in elementary school curricula, influenced changes in the Evidence Act (Bill C-15), and developed an education theatre project on prevention of sexual abuse with schools
- Work in the area of children’s environments and the importance of play resulted in improvements to play environments throughout BC including hospitals, increased awareness in sport, and the development of national guidelines
- Initiated the First Year Radio Series, a radio public service broadcast series that covered 46 topics associated with early childhood. Published Viewpoint. Check out an early layout for a front cover, drafted on yellow legal paper!
- Helped establish the first teen mothers’ comprehensive education program at Tupper Secondary School
- Established a Child Abuse Resource Centre and Children’s Play Resource Centre
1990s
- The Society developed the Rights Awareness Program after Canada’s ratification of the UNCRC in 1991
- Hosted provincial Child Rights conference with Stephen Lewis
- Developed Child Rights education program
- Launched ‘Put the Child First’ Child Abuse Prevention Initiative
- Researched and assessed the Child Sexual Abuse Response System
- Produced and disseminated “Child Abuse” Newsletter and a Society quarterly Newsletter
- Launched “Focus on Children and Youth” Newsletter in 1996
- Involved in the establishment of the Youth Services Alliance of BC
- Children’s environment and play initiatives lead to the development of the Child and Youth Friendly Communities Program (CYFC)
- Ground-breaking work on rating legal statutes ‘through the eyes of a child’ and analyzing provincial legislation through the lens of the UNCRC (including a four star rating system)
- Initiated the concept of child-friendly housing
- Hosted a national consultation on child abuse prevention
2000s
- Influenced improvements to children as witnesses in the Criminal Court System
- Launched the Child and Youth Friendly Community Awards
- Designated as a clearinghouse for information related to children’s rights and the UNCRC
- Continued to assess Canada’s legislative compliance with the UNCRC including the Secure Care Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Initiated focus on rights of children and youth with disabilities
- Led forums in Ottawa and Victoria to support the implementation of children’s rights in public policy
- Led the proclamation of National Child Day in over 30 municipalities in BC
- Redesigned the Focus Newsletter and launched “Vocalpoint” in 2004
- Initiated Canada’s first youth rights-based monitoring project
- Further developed CYFC work through a Train-the-Trainers initiative and the development of the provinces first municipal
- CYFC toolkit based on strategic indicators
- Launched province-wide, multi-media Child Rights Public Awareness Campaign
- Participated in the inaugural United Way Public Policy Institute, designing a framework for municipal engagement to better implement children’s rights
2010s
- Developed Child and Youth Friendly Communities self-assessment toolkit and hosted national CYFC conference
- Host organization for the City of Vancouver’s citizenU program, providing training workshops for youth that address different forms of discrimination
- Partnered with Richmond Children First to engage young people in writing Richmond’s first Children’s Charter. Passed by Richmond City Council in July 2011
- Launched and aired 6 youth rights Public Service Announcements on radio stations throughout BC. Each of the PSAs were written and recorded by youth
- Awarded the Renate Shearer Award by the United Nations Association of Vancouver and the BC Human Rights Coalition in 2014
- Awarded the Equitas Award for Human Rights Education in 2014
2020s
Coming Soon
Val Fronczek In Memorium
Valerie was the Executive Director of SCY for twenty-three years. She died in May 2013 after a brief illness. She joined our fledgling organization in the early 1980s and brought with her an exquisite understanding of the needs of children, a passion for what was right and the drive to do what was necessary to make good things happen for the children of British Columbia and beyond.
About Valerie
Valerie worked tirelessly to build SCY into a well respected child advocacy organization. Her work has contributed substantially to making the world a better place for children. Valerie was innovative and very articulate. She believed strongly in having a solid working board and always worked collaboratively and energetically with the many board members who contributed their time and energy to the causes of SCY. She held the board in very high esteem and this respect was always reciprocated.
Valerie was never afraid to tackle contentious issues. She authored numerous letters and papers that went to politicians, practitioners, and policy makers; she knocked on the doors of people of influence whom she thought should care about children just as much as she did; she spoke eloquently whether it was to one individual or to a whole conference of people.
This was Valerie’s life.
Those who knew her understood that Valerie was a driving force in the children’s rights movement who spent most of her days and evenings devoted to this noble cause. She was very self effacing and never wanted any personal credit for her deeds. In fact, praise would embarrass her. She had a delicious and rather wicked sense of humour and was always a joy to work with. When Valerie left SCY, we knew it would be a daunting task to find someone to fill her shoes. She was, indeed, irreplaceable.
Valerie loved SCY and she loved her family. She was a devoted mother to Lawrence and Katherine and was overjoyed to be a grandmother. She was a loving daughter and sister. She travelled the world in her role as Communications Officer of the International Play Organization and contributed greatly to promoting the child’s right to play and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Valerie loved to travel and she did so with both style and simplicity. She knew people from all over the world and basked in the light of those relationships. She was a good friend. She loved red wine. She loved to laugh. She enjoyed the moment. She was independent and feisty and loyal.
With Valerie’s passing, the world has lost a champion for children. Through her devotion to the cause and her relentless efforts, the world is a better place for children and families. Thank you Valerie for “giving it all you had.” We hope to continue in your footsteps and make you proud of the work that continues in your memory on behalf of the children who meant so much to you.
By Fran Grunburg, Honourary Officer, SCY
Photo by Valerie Fronczek
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The Society for Children and Youth of BC
102 - 1678 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1X6 - Office open by appointment only
P: (778) 657-5544 or toll-free 1-877-462-0037 F: (604) 357-1758
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