Bobbi Terrell, a Douglas College Youth Justice alum, is a dedicated advocate for fighting against domestic violence in B.C.’s newcomer communities. Currently a Senior Manager at DIVERSEcity, she oversees the Stories of Strength initiative that empowers survivors and fosters strong community support. 

By Tanta Siriporn Na Rajasima, Marketing and Communications

In the heart of Surrey, where many newcomer families strive to build a life in Canada, family and gender-based violence remain a pressing issue. Amidst countless untold stories, community advocates are working towards positive change, with Douglas College’s Youth Justice alum Bobbi Terrell leading the way.

In her role providing counselling and gender-based violence services at the registered charity DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, Bobbi has been a major contributor to the success of the Stories of Strength (SOS) program which aims to stamp out violence in immigrant and refugee families. The program features survivors of intimate partner violence as community champions who share their personal stories with others. By recounting their experiences, these champions help raise awareness, inspire change and break down barriers to accessing support, community resources and safety. 

“Our goal is to encourage people to recognize their inner strength and to let them know that they are not alone,” Bobbi says. 

Redirecting path to leadership 

Before becoming the leader she is today, Bobbi once found herself at a crossroads filled with career uncertainty, having faced academic probation and expulsion from a local university, where she struggled to find a program that truly resonated with her. It was at this point that a friend’s invitation to an information session for the Youth Justice Diploma program at Douglas College turned her life around. 

“As I read the description of the Youth Justice program, I knew that was what I was supposed to be doing,” says Bobbi. “The program aligned so well with my past experiences working with youth in the Canadian Air Cadets and BGC Canada. Everything clicked.” 

Deepening youth support  

Once Bobbi was accepted by the Youth Justice program, her engagement with youth evolved from casual interactions in recreational settings to a more profound and supportive role. 

“I knew how to connect with youth, but the program further taught me their needs and vulnerability and how to support them at a deeper level,” she explains. 

She also found that studying within a cohort deepened her understanding of human behaviour and helped her develop her own social skills. “Education will get you so far, but working through a program with a cohort and navigating interpersonal relationships with your peers helps you become a well-rounded practitioner,” she notes. 

Courses in behaviour intervention enhanced her understanding of psychological and social factors that influence youth behaviours. Moreover, her extensive volunteering in federal and provincial prisons, coupled with her program practicum at a restorative agency in Prince George, has provided her with valuable acumen into the complexities of youth justice and further deepened her approach to youth work. Since 2006, Bobbi has been involved in restorative justice initiatives, directly connecting to the impactful work she continues to do today. 

Leading the change through the SOS program 

Bobbi has applied what she learned in the Youth Justice program to her current role with DIVERSEcity’s SOS program. Although the program is centered on youth, courses like Family Violence and Lifespan Development gave her tools to deal with intimate partner violence in adults. She leverages her understanding that many adult problems stem from childhood issues to tackle her clients’ challenges effectively. Under Bobbi’s leadership, and with over $700,000 in government funding and 250 partners, the SOS program has expanded support networks to help victims recognize their inner resiliency using culturally aware approaches to address complex intricacies often intertwined with domestic abuse, such as substance use. 

Bobbi says reducing stigma around mental health and endorsing a sense of community in which people feel safe are key in helping people open up and get the supports they need. 

“Stigma is huge. In many countries, the phrase ‘mental health’ doesn’t exist, and intimate partner violence isn’t acknowledged. Many newcomers bring those stigmas with them to Canada. My duties focus on tackling these problems from within and creating a circle of support embedded into the community. Our SOS community champions also speak their native languages to make storytelling more comfortable,” she illustrates. 

Turning adversity into advocacy 

Besides implementing practical and empathetic strategies to reduce stigma, Bobbi also brings to her work a crucial practice she learned about in her Youth Justice classes: the daily check-in. 

“The check-ins with our clients, whether simple inquiries about well-being or prompts about self-care, are a tool for community-building. They take us back to that granular level when it comes to designing or delivering programs” she shares. “These small but consistent interactions build trust and are essential in my work.” Her commitment to creating a supportive environment for newcomers and empowering youth through personal connections – an insight she gained from the program – has set a powerful example for others in the field. 

Bobbi’s perseverance has not only changed her life’s trajectory but also positioned her as a guiding force for those facing obstacles in Canada. Her personal experience, while difficult, fueled her passion for helping others overcome their challenges. 

“Young people are the future, and they need people in their corner. If you’re considering the Youth Justice program, you’ll find that the skills you develop can make a significant difference in both youth and adult lives, just as I’ve done in my role at DIVERSEcity.” 

---

Learn more about Douglas College’s Youth Justice Diploma program.