“These are lessons that can't be fully conveyed in the classroom, but the hands-on experience will leave lasting memories that will inspire and motivate the students as they move forward in their careers." - Dr. Laura MacDiarmid
Fourth-year students from the University of Guelph-Humber’s Justice Studies program and Alpha Phi Sigma student society hopped on a school bus for a field trip to the Safe Centre of Peel, in an excursion that was not only eye-opening and educational, but also enabled students to do some good for the community.
During the inspiring visit, the group of around 35 students learned about the important work the Safe Centre of Peel does in supporting families impacted by intimate partner violence and took a tour of the facility, giving them a first-hand look at how to effectively serve the community and vulnerable populations with care. They also gathered food donations for the Centre (over 300 items), which partners with the Seva Food Bank.
As future justice professionals who will one day help others through their work, this trip underscored the ongoing challenges in the community to prepare students for what they will inevitably face in their future careers, U of GH instructor Dr. Laura MacDiarmid said, who organized the field trip with Shelina Jeshani, Director at the Safe Centre of Peel.
“This experience was incredibly valuable to me because it was a huge eye-opener, not only on how many people in the community are impacted specifically by intimate partner violence, but also in the aspect of career and how this career can truly impact people, which is my goal,” fourth-year Justice Studies student and attendee Naisha Suthaharan said. Suthaharan is also the Vice President of Activities for Guelph-Humber’s chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma.
During the visit, Jeshani explained the value of evidence-informed practices, the importance of interagency collaboration (the Centre partners with 23 other agencies to provide optimal care), and the need for ongoing compassion when addressing intimate partner and family violence. Students also learned about programs available to support survivors and barriers that may exist for survivors who are seeking help. The off-campus experience also let Justice Studies students gain a deeper understanding about intimate partner violence, and how it’s an issue that impacts everyone – not just women.
“These are lessons that can't be fully conveyed in the classroom, but the hands-on experience will leave lasting memories that will inspire and motivate the students as they move forward in their careers,” Dr. MacDiarmid said. “For students interested in diverse careers, including law, social services, policing, and graduate studies, the experience at the Safe Centre showed how these fields can work together effectively.”
When the students’ food donations made it to the Centre’s shelves, their positive impacts from their contributions resonated. Not only will those donations feed people in need, but survivors are treated with dignity through a “shopping experience” approach, Dr. MacDiarmid explained, as food is placed in a client refrigerator so those in crisis can choose the food they need.
“Going on a school bus to such an impactful organization was one of the best experiences I can ask for,” Suthaharan said. “Even though I am graduating this year, this has opened new pathways and new ideas, and has shown me justice is not just limited to the courtrooms, but also applies to services that can help victims and people get freedom.”
Click here to learn more about Alpha Phi Sigma.
