CHALLENGE

In 1993, a needs assessment identified that Atlantic Canada was the only region in Canada without a summer training program for community health promoters; it also recognized that there were similar needs for training amongst those working in crime prevention through social development. Vision, funding, a shared planning framework, and commitment from health and justice sectors were essential.

SOLUTION

With funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the first ‘Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities’ was held in August 2004. Using the Circle of Health© as a framework, ASI focuses on creating capacity for collaborative action on underlying factors that impact the health and safety of communities. 2020 will mark the 17th year of ASI programming, demonstrating its success.

Contributor:
Patsy Beattie-Huggan, ASI Coordinator & President, The Quaich Inc.

Atlantic Summer Institute (ASI) on Healthy and Safe Communities