TERF Youth Program

A program designed to help female and transgender youths ages 13-18 exploited through the sex trade move in a new direction

What is the TERF Youth Program?

The TERF Youth Program is designed to help female and transgender youths ages 13-18 who have been exploited through the sex trade move in a new direction. Through a harm reduction model, the program provides holistic personal development and healing in a safe, accepting and supportive environment.

What does the TERF Youth Program offer?

The TERF Youth Program offers skills building classes to allow students to move to a program where they can earn high school credits. Healing and personal development are part of the curriculum and are offered in a client directed model.  The majority of TERF students are of Aboriginal descent and are provided with the opportunities to gain insight, healing and understanding through cultural activities, teachings and referrals.  TERF students are also offered many incentives to help them while participating in the program:

Incentives

• Monetary compensation
• Bus pass
• Gym membership at the Winnipeg YM/YWCA
• Day care assistance
• Support
• Skills in independent living
• Advocacy and referrals

High School Credits

• English (Grades 9 & 10)
• Math (Grades 10 & 11)
• Skills for Independence (Grade 10)

Transition Groups

In Transition Groups, students explore the experience of being exploited by the sex trade and the effects this has had on their lives.

Community Schools

TERF believes in helping youth move back into school in the community. Once a student is ready, TERF will help select a school and program that correspond with the student’s needs. TERF will provide continued monitoring and support to ensure the best chance of success for the student.

The TERF Youth Program is supported by funds from Manitoba Family Services and Housing.

to the top

TERF Adult Program

A one year transition program designed to help women and transgender individuals 18 years and over involved in the sex trade move in a new direction

What is the TERF Adult Program?

The TERF Adult Program is designed to help women and transgender individuals 18 years and over who have been involved in the sex trade move in a new direction. The TERF Adult Program is designed to meet the specific needs of participants who have come in search of support, personal development and healing.  

What does the TERF Adult Program offer?

The TERF Adult Program focuses on healing and transition. Additional supports to clients of the TERF Adult Program include day care subsidies, attendance incentives, advocacy and referrals.

Healing

Through a harm reduction model, TERF provides holistic healing in a safe, supportive environment. TERF follows the Medicine Wheel approach to healing, focusing on spiritual, mental, physical and emotional healing.

Transition

TERF understands that transition from one lifestyle to another is a difficult undertaking, especially for a person trying to do it on her own. TERF offers a supportive and non-judgmental environment to assist in making complicated life decisions.

Cultural Competence

It is estimated that up to 80% of individuals exploited through the street sex trade in Winnipeg are of Aboriginal descent. All students are given the opportunity to gain deeper insight into their culture through the program. As part of New Directions’ ongoing education in the development of Cultural Competence, TERF has continually addressed the need and issues of Aboriginal people.

Education

The TERF program is split into two terms: September to January and February to July. In each of these terms the students explore themselves, learning about options, new behaviours and how to connect with education and work resources. TERF works in partnership with Horizons Adult Learning Centre to offer some courses on site to work toward high school credits.
           
The TERF Adult Program is funded by Manitoba Justice.

to the top

TERF Mentor Program

A program working to eliminate the sexual exploitation of children and youth

What is the TERF Mentoring Program?

The TERF Mentoring Program provides positive opportunities and individualized support for urban Aboriginal children ages 8-17 who have been sexually exploited or who are at high risk of being exploited in the sex trade. Without intervention, these youth are at risk of becoming entrenched in a negative lifestyle complicated by pressures like drugs, gangs and crime.

What does the TERF Mentoring Program offer?

The TERF Mentoring Program supports involvement in healthy activities, empowers youth to build on personal strengths and increase their self-reliance, and diverts them from becoming vulnerable to exploitation and other harmful elements.

Mentors

Mentors provide leadership, guidance and support to young people in need by:

• Acting to assist children and youth who are sexually exploited or at risk of being sexually exploited
• Fostering positive self-image within participants
• Encouraging choices that will lead to a safe, successful future free from sexual exploitation
• Understanding the issues of poverty and sexual exploitation

Program Activities

Participants will move toward a safe, successful future by:

• Receiving on-on-one support from mentors in recreational, cultural and educational outings
• Obtaining education on life skills, job skills and work opportunities
• Learning about the serious risks and consequences associated with sexual exploitation
• Connecting with other community mentors, elders and cultural service providers
• Participating in Aboriginal teachings
• Identifying alcohol and drug related issues

Program Features

• Activities promote personal development and healing through a Medicine Wheel approach, balancing physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well-being.
• A harm reduction philosophy is practiced to remove shame and blame internalized by victims affected by sexual exploitation.
• Participants ages 13-17 can be fast tracked into the TERF Youth Program.

The TERF Mentoring Program is supported by funds from Canadian Heritage and Family Services & Housing.

to the top

Manitoba Coalition for Experiential Women and Transgender

The Manitoba Coalition for Experiential Women and Transgender gives a provincial voice to individuals who have been involved in the sex trade. The Coalition addresses the following issues:

• Violence
• Criminalization
• Trafficking
• Exploitation
• Working conditions
• Living conditions
• Discrimination
• Health safety
• Other concerns related to sex workers and the sex trade industry

Sex trade workers, especially those in the process of exiting or who have recently exited the sex trade, need a great deal of support. The Coalition serves as a support network and mentorship organization for these women and transgender individuals. The Coalition also works closely with the Canadian National Coalition of Experiential Women (CNCEW).

If you have been involved in the sex trade and want your voice to be heard to prevent others from becoming victims of sexual abuse, consider participating in the Coalition. For more information contact TERF at (204) 786-7051 ext. 260.

to the top

Kaapapako Miikiwaap (Tipi Teachings)

Kaapapako Miikiwaap (translated as The Butterfly Lodge) is a 17 session sexual exploitation prevention program based on the traditional teachings of the tipi. The values and positive nature of the key concepts apparent in the Tipi Teachings have the potential not only to keep children and youth from becoming at risk to exploitive adults, but also to draw upon a peaceful way of living.

The Tipi Teachings program was created with the guidance of a body of educators, administrators, community organizations, traditional teachers and Elders. However, facilitators are needed to make the program a viable tool to educate children and their parents about the violence and degradation of sexually exploitive activity.

If you are interested in becoming a Tipi Teachings facilitator, please contact TERF at (204) 786-7051 ext. 260.

to the top

Workshops and Presentations

TERF provides workshops and presentations about sexual exploitation and TERF programming.

Training:    In partnership with MARTR Training, a 6 day specialized training for front-line workers who work with or care for sexually exploited children and youth is available.  The training is delivered in two separate modules over the course of three days each:

• Awareness 
• Intervention Strategies

If you are interested in booking a TERF presentation or require further information on the specialized training, please contact us at (204) 786-7051 ext. 260.

to the top

To find out more about TERF, or to register in one of our programs, contact us at:
Transition, Education and Resources for Females
New Directions for Children, Youth & Families
400 – 491 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E4
(204) 786-7051 ext. 311

E-Mail: (TERF) Transition, Education & Resources for Females