Bonnyville Friendship Centre is following up on the success of their men’s leadership session from last spring.

Men Leading Men: Addressing Gaps, Building Supports, Strengthening Community will continue the efforts to involve men in combatting gender-based violence (GBV). The free session, open to everyone, will take place Wednesday, September 9 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.

“This is our second Men Leading Men event. We’re very, very excited,” said Angella McGillivray, the Friendship Centre’s mental health coordinator.

“The last one went so well, and we had such good feedback from the community members that joined in. They were asking for more, so we brought more,” she said.

The gathering will explore powerful experiences and community healing initiatives that address men’s wellbeing, rural isolation, trauma, and community safety.

Stephanie Harpe will be one of the presenters. Harpe is an advocate, survivor, and founder of the Jean Jacket Campaign.

Kerry Gladue, speaker and author, will share his journey through men’s mental health challenges, isolation, and rebuilding, offering insight into the supports men need to thrive.

Bonnyville – Cold Lake – St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr will provide updates on what has been done and what is being done in GBV prevention, and Bonnyville Friendship Centre will share statistics from their recent surveys.

“The numbers continue to go up,” McGillivray said, with 1,300 survey respondents reporting personal experience of gender-based violence.

More than 750 said family members have experienced GBV, and over 900 reported GBV in the workplace.

“These are all important topics,” McGillivray said. “We wanted to bring men to the table because men have a powerful role in interrupting harm, modelling respect, and shifting community culture.

“When men lead with accountability and compassion, violence decreases and boys learn healthier norms. So this is very important to us,” she said.

Registration is free, and the event includes a catered prime rib supper. After the presentations there will be opportunities for questions and open discussions.

McGillivray stresses that attendance is open to everyone—not just men.

“When we think about men’s health, it’s community health,” she said. “When we provide safe spaces to heal, learn, and lead, families become safer and you just grow stronger.”

She said support for men’s mental health is an important part of building a healthy community.

“At the Friendship Centre, supporting men isn’t optional,” McGillivray said. “It’s essential to ending violence, strengthening relationships, and building a healthier Lakeland for everyone.”

Tickets are available by calling the Bonnyville Friendship Centre at (780) 826-3374.

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Bonnyville Friendship Centre to host “Men Leading Men” workshop