Services for Children & Youth

The PEACE Program

The Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling, and Empowerment (PEACE) program is dedicated to supporting children and youth across British Columbia who have experienced domestic violence.  Formerly known as Children Who Witness Abuse, our free, confidential services provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth ages 3 to 18.
The PEACE program offers a compassionate space where children and youth can learn that they are not alone, that violence is never their fault, and that they have the power to heal, grow, and thrive.  At Tri-City Transitions, we are here to support them every step of the way.

The PEACE program is rooted in understanding that every child and youth’s journey is unique, with its primary goals to:

1.  Prevent violence – by providing children and youth with tools to understand and break cycles of violence.


2.  Educate – by teaching young people about healthy relationships, boundaries, and emotional well-being.

3.  Advocate – by helping young people access the support they need and empowering them to advocate for themselves and others.


4.  Counsel – offering trauma-informed care to help children and youth process their experiences.

5.  Empower – encouraging self-confidence and resilience to help young people build better futures.

Individual PEACE Counselling (1:1 Sessions)
We offer personalized, one-on-one PEACE psycho-educational counselling sessions for children and youth aged 3 to 18  These 45-minute sessions are designed to meet the individual needs of each participant, using developmentally appropriate, play-based and expression-based activities.

The focus of these sessions includes:

• Healthy Emotional Expression – Teaching children and youth healthy ways of expressing anger and other intense emotions.
• Safety Planning – Helping young people identify their personal safety networks and create actionable safety plans.
• Conflict Resolution Skills – Supporting the development of non-violent conflict resolution strategies for everyday challenges.
• Positive Self-Concept and Self-Esteem – Encouraging a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, which is key to healing and growth.
• Psycho-Education – Educating children and youth about the impacts of violence, healthy relationships, and emotional well-being.

Each child or youth can receive up to 8-12 sessions either online or in-person and each session is tailored to their individual needs. These sessions offer a confidential and supportive space for young people to process their emotions, develop coping strategies, and gain the tools needed to move forward with resilience.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The PEACE program is not clinical counselling, it provides psycho-educational support. We do not provide formal assessments or engage in court-related matters, including custody issues.
Our primary goal is to provide emotional support, safety planning, and skill-building to help children and youth heal from the effects of domestic violence.

Parenting Support
We also offer parenting support for non-offending parents who have their children registered in the PEACE program. These psycho-educational support sessions help parents strengthen their attachment to their children, providing them with tools and strategies to foster a supportive and nurturing environment for their children’s healing.

Eligibility & Referral Process
To access the PEACE program, participants must live in the Tri-Cities area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra).
We welcome self-referrals, meaning individuals or families can directly reach out to enroll in the program.

Contact Us
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the PEACE program, please reach out to us.  All services are free and confidential.
• Phone: 604-941-7111
• Email: info@tricitytransitions.com

PEACE Core Groups

PEACE CORE Groups support building on the relationship between the children and their guardian(s) during a 6-week program and individual sessions. Through group sessions, participants gain knowledge and skills, and learn how to find their inner resources.

Youth Group

The Youth PEACE CORE group is specifically for youths 13 to 18 years of age. Being able to identify and be a part of a unique group can empower youth to advocate for themselves, find their voice and enjoy a safe space. This is a closed group for youth and participants 14 years and older do not need guardian consent. If you are a youth who has witnessed domestic violence or you have been in the crossfire of conflict, this is a safe space for you.

Guardians Group

Guardians of youth who are enrolled in the Youth PEACE CORE group will be able to share and participate in a parallel program.

Being part of the PEACE CORE group can help address feelings of alienation and connecting to others in your community can be a great resource. During your time in this group, you will learn various concepts and become better equipped to find the resource within to guide you through what is happening for you and your family.

In this 6-week CORE group you will be introduced to:

• different types of abuse and the developmental impact;
• identifying and expressing feelings;
• problem solving and conflict resolution;
• developing confidence and self-esteem; and
• ways to stay safe and resources, including creating your own first-aid kit.