Strengthening the Spirit part of award-winning approach

“I feel honoured and humbled,” said Kevin McNichol, former executive director of HomeFront Calgary, who was recently recognized for his many years of work in domestic violence. “I’m humbled because I’m aware that the award is not just for me.  There are a lot of people with big vision dealing with domestic violence in our community.”

Established in 2012 by the Alberta government, the Inspiration Awards highlight the innovative approach of Albertans working to support and protect those experiencing family violence. McNichol was presented with the Individual Inspiration Award.

HomeFront has partnered with a number of Aboriginal serving community and justice organizations over the years, including the Awo Taan Healing Lodge, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, and Sunrise Native Addiction Services.

It is his work with Strengthening the Spirit, however, with which McNichol is most satisfied.  HomeFront employee Laura Ducharme approached McNichol with the concept.

“The proudest part was a key part of the program collaboration and intention to help the Aboriginal community to build its own capacity to serve clients,” he said. “Strengthening the Spirit brought knowledge and wisdom to the next point.”

Using a train-the-trainer model, over 40 facilitators across a dozen different agencies were trained from a culturally specific perspective. They were able to make inroads with the three reserves surrounding Calgary as each now has its own mandated program onsite.

“They own it and it’s meaningful,” said McNichol. “Working from an Aboriginal perspective is meaningful for clients experiencing multi-generational trauma and the residential schools in relation to simpler, spousal domestic violence programs.”

Acting as an informal advisory group with Ducharme as chair, Strengthening the Spirit provided understanding, help, support and staff-training.

“It’s always important that we make a point of working with the community,” said McNichol.

He is also proud of having been a part of Aboriginal communities.

“The willingness of members to have me in and engage what they could do to respond better was special,” he said.

The foundation of HomeFront was built in the 1990s when several organizations formed the Mayor’s Task Force on Community and Family Violence, working with the Domestic Violence Collective. Ten years later, the Calgary Justice Working Project brought 60 community groups together to launch a specialized domestic violence court. The program came to be known as HomeFront.

Building on the success, in 2004-2005 HomeFront initiated an early intervention and outreach program. More recently, HomeFront expanded its domestic conflict response team, which provides intervention and referrals for those with high risk incidents of domestic violence. 

After 14 years at HomeFront, McNichol recently assumed the role of vice president strategy at the Calgary Homeless Foundation, coordinating the community’s response and strategy to end homelessness.

“The good news is that I’ll be doing more work in the community,” he said. “In Calgary’s large homeless population, many are Aboriginal.”