From Crisis to Care: Firefighters support Langley children & youth

In a matter of minutes, Langley’s first responders can confront a crisis and turn the most vulnerable moment of a person’s life around.

So when the Township of Langley Firefighters Charitable Society (TOLFCS) learned about a new opportunity to help transform the suffering of children as they heal from abuse and trauma, the Society was one of the first groups of donors.

It’s like getting involved in this cause was just second nature.

“We have a lot of highs and lows, but those highs come out of those situations when we’ve been able to make an impact on someone’s day in a short period of time,” says Jordan Sparrow, President of the Township of Langley Firefighters, Local 4550.

This year, TOLFCS will dedicate its annual golf tournament to help raise funds for Langley’s first-ever Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), a Langley-based centre for children and youth who need to report abuse and heal from trauma, in a place where they are treated with respect, privacy and confidentiality.

“Abuse Doesn’t Discriminate”

“Often we forget that abuse doesn’t discriminate,” says Jordan.

“We have a relatively affluence or middle class population in Langley, but we have pockets where people have struggled more than others,” he says.

“That population is so vulnerable, they don’t want to speak up, and not many people have the opportunity to take the training that helps them notice the signs of abuse.”

To be developed and overseen by Langley-based Encompass Support Services Society (ESSS), the proposed local CYAC will help meet the large gap in local service to young people who need to report abuse in safety and confidence.

As partners in the CYAC initiative, the LCHH Foundation and ESSS will organize its first phase into fundraising $275,000 for renovations to the Encompass office that will provide a temporary counselling space, to be opened by March 2025.

By 2029 to 2030, children and youth will be served at a permanent CYAC location.

Reflecting in Safety, Privacy, Respect

In BC, one out of three children experience some form of abuse, which often leads to prolonged trauma that harms their mental and physical health, often for years. Even when they report abuse, children and youth are required to tell - and often repeat - their harrowing stories to multiple agencies and services. Those in the care of CYACs instead receive a coordinated response to care through a collaboration of services under one roof. These early interventiones are key to reducing and healing trauma.

Gifts made to the CYAC will equip rooms for safety, soundproofing, medical, audiovisual and sensory equipment, as well as tools such as blackout drapes, light table, sensory play kits, play therapy and more.

Sixty per cent of Canadians report experiencing abuse before their 15th birthday, but less than 10 per cent report their abuse to the police, and even fewer attain the help they need for legal resolution and healing.

A CYAC’s success is measured in an increase in the number of children who are feeling safe enough to report abuse and follow through with counselling, leading to improved mental and physical health. Studies have shown that this delivery in care leads to savings in health care costs throughout the community.

“Currently victims and families are required to tell their traumatic story many times, to multiple service providers in various locations to receive the resources they need to recover from their abuse,” says Loren Roberts, Executive Director of Operations at ESSS.

Throughout the year, TOLFCS raises funds through galas, payroll deduction through their membership, a clothing bin program, its annual “Chip In” golf tournament, an endowment fund and partnerships with other charitable organizations.

“We take a lot in and shell a lot out, as a charitable organization,” says Jordan Sparrow.

“We do so much work on our own time, and we like to see every dollar go to the beneficiaries.”