The Student Association service has found new opportunities amidst the pandemic to expand services and connect.
Feeling safe while on campus is paramount to student’s success.
To help those who may feel a sense of unease, especially while walking on the streets of Toronto in the evening, the Student Association (SA) service SafeWalk is here to help.
SafeWalk provides companions while walking to and from campus, to students, staff, and visitors of George Brown College. Those who use the service will be walked within a 2-kilometre radius of campus starting at 5 p.m. and running until 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.
SafeWalk does not operate during breaks, major holidays, or any other days the campuses are closed.
Chris Yalousakis has been the coordinator with SafeWalk for about five years.
During his time, he and his team have helped numerous people to feel safe, with more than 10,700 people using the service in 2019, before the pandemic hit.
Yalousakis said he really enjoys helping people and ensuring they feel safe while on or around campus. He does note that SafeWalk is not meant for security or emergency purposes.
If there are situations which arise, SafeWalk staff are trained extensively in first aid, CPR, AED, consent, sexual assault awareness, how to respond to sexual assault disclosure, naloxone administration, and understanding and managing aggressive behaviour.
Training sessions will be held throughout the year for students who want to learn any or all of the courses being offered. Most training is open to GBC students for free, but with limited spots per session.
During the pandemic, SafeWalk services turned to online events, such as safety workshops and first-aid webinars. It was a challenge for SafeWalk to think about how to provide service for the community, Yalousakis explained.
He plans to continue the online events started during the pandemic by transitioning them to in-person. Yalousakis shared that the pandemic has provided more opportunities for connecting through events, despite their virtual nature.
As we return to campus, SafeWalk will be bringing more training and collaboration for the GBC community, such as suicide prevention.
SafeWalk is available at the Casa Loma, St. James, and Waterfront campuses. SafeWalk services are provided by security guards at the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) campus.
For those who want to use the service for walks in the evening, SafeWalk staff can be found at their kiosk around each campus.
Staff can also meet you wherever you are, simply call, text, or WhatsApp them at 1-888-210-7233.
For more information visit www.studentassociation.ca/safewalk/.
