Prince George Party Program

The Origin of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program

One day, friends of an emergency nurse’s daughter asked if they could come to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto to see where people were brought when they were injured. The nurse approached the hospital administration, and they encouraged her to research and develop a pilot program for teens that included an educational approach to injury and trauma. As a result, the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program was formed at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto in 1986. To date, the foundations of this program have been implemented globally.

How the P.A.R.T.Y. Program Began in Northern British Columbia

In the 1990’s, physicians and nurses at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. were concerned about the growing number of young people presenting with traumatic injuries. As a result, the Prince George P.A.R.T.Y. Program was initiated in 1997.

In 2002, the Prince George Safe Attitudes and Actions Society was formed with a single mission to promote injury prevention among the youth through reality education which increases awareness of risks and their possible impacts and emphasizes personal responsibility in making safer choices.

The Present Day

As of today, this program has been running for the past 27 years, serving the youth of Northern B.C. It has supported thousands of students, enriching their lives by teaching them how to prevent risks and make informed decisions, while also promoting a well-rounded life. The program is grounded in the most current evidence-based research and features a robust lineup of subject matter experts and individuals with lived experiences who share their stories and engage with students. Over the years, the P.G. PARTY Program has evolved to ensure its topics remain relevant and practical in response to the changing risks in our society. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, volunteers swiftly transformed the program into a virtual presentation to maintain student access when in-person opportunities were unavailable. Operated by dedicated volunteers committed to making a lasting impact on today's youth, since 2023, the in-person sessions have been held at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

The Program Guides Participants To:

• Reevaluate behaviors that pose undue risk to safety while engaging in motor and recreational activities
• Speeding
• Engaging in texting or cellphone use while driving
• Operating any vehicle, motorized or not, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• The use of equipment while fatigued
• Not driving or being prepared for the conditions of the road
• Not wearing the correct or recommended safety equipment for the activity participation (helmets, seatbelts)

To think carefully about the choices you make and to ensure the safety of yourself and others