New to Hamber: The Safe and Caring Schools Program

Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

Since 1972, the School Liaison Program had been active in VSB schools across Vancouver. This changed on April 26, 2021, when the Vancouver School Board decided to discontinue this program.

The School Liaison Program placed police constables at Vancouver schools. Their jobs were to help students and make them feel safe at school. Students could go to these officers if in need of help, or to seek guidance. By June of 2021 the program was completely discontinued, and going into the 2021-2022 school year, a new program called Safe and Caring Schools has been initiated to play a similar role.

The Safe and Caring Schools program was implemented into schools across the District, including Eric Hamber, at the beginning of September. It has a different goal than the School Liaison Officer program: providing resources to students. It offers education, prevention, and intervention services. This program encourages students to be successful in their work and studies, while also managing their mental health.

The Safe and Caring Schools program involves nine school liaisons. Each liaison is stationed at two different high schools within the district, working with counsellors, education coordinators, a district principal, and a director of instruction. If a student needs to talk to someone, the liaison is there to help. Renee Joiner (Counselling), Hamber’s assigned liaison, says she provides “proactive interventions, responsive and relevant education and support, restorative practices from a lens of a healing centred approach.”

Ms. Joiner has a message to the Eric Hamber students regarding what she has to offer to our community. “I am excited to be the Safe and Caring Schools Liaison assigned to Hamber. Youth outreach is the foundation of my role, and I am here to listen, talk, help problem-solve, and connect to the wider community such as (but not limited to) joining a sport after school, finding a job, or volunteer opportunities. I work closely with staff, support clubs & groups, provide resources on a wide variety of topics, and importantly— always have snacks in my office! I look forward to meeting you!”

Students can find Ms. Joiner at Eric Hamber on Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday. Her office is located in the counselling suite in room #365.