POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 135 PARTNERS IN YOUTH PROJECT One community has developed a pilot project in which agencies dealing with youth - probation services, public health nurses, the police, child welfare and social services have representatives in the school, and work as a team with students. Existing resources were used to fund the project. Team members provided their own resources, including filing cabinets, desks, etc. YOUNG COACHES The minor hockey association in one community developed Young Coaches, a program that provides training to midget players (who are aged 15-17 years) to be coaches/ instructors in the initiation program (for players aged 5-7 years). The association pays for the instructor training and provides transportation if needed. It provides older youth with leadership skills, and the opportunity to be good role models for the younger players. Coaching education is available at the YMYWCA and various sports clubs. MUNICIPALITIES Many municipalities have developed programs and leadership opportunities, particularly in their parks and recreation departments, specifically geared to young people. The philosophy behind these programs is that when youth are involved in their communities, they are less likely to get into trouble. Activities include: after-school programs; teen cultural and recreation clubs; sports nights, sports camps; and special events. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY Many businesses are becoming involved in youth violence prevention efforts by donating resources, space and equipment for the establishment of teen centres. These are designed to meet the specific needs of local young people. In some cities, businesses and staff from local schools have worked together to provide space, tutors, outreach workers and resources to create ‘storefront classrooms' for dropouts. These classrooms are located in malls where young people, including dropouts frequently hang out. 9.0 SOME FINAL THOUGHTS Many involved in our study stressed several key points in pursuing strategies to respond to youth violence in their communities. The most salient of these are outlined below. 9.1 Violence Is A Societal Problem Violence is everywhere - in our movies, music, television programs and sports. It is increasingly evident in many workplaces, as competition has become a dominant feature of people's working lives. Layoff practices in some companies epitomize the dehumanizing way people are treated. Violence and aggression are also evident in many community and political processes. Here, individuals and organizations are constantly trying to gain or maintain control over various "agendas." It is present in many homes, destroying children, parents and families. As these examples show, violence is a community problem. We must all accept responsibility for its solution. 9.2 The Impact of Social Forces Must Be Considered There is a sense that various new social forces are contributing to aggressive and violent behaviour. These forces include the increased fear of crime, and the anxiety present in many families as a result of economic insecurity. These forces should be considered when a community tries to understand and respond to its youth violence concerns. 9.3 Avoid Unnecessarily Blaming Young People Young people can be unintentionally and unfairly blamed for youth violence. Most are not involved in violent behaviour. Rather, many are involved in initiatives to prevent violence, such as peer mediation programs. Of the few who perpetrate violence, some are responding to dysfunctional home situations and personal problems. They need help. Youth should be involved as partners in addressing youth violence concerns. 9.4 Work Towards A Healthy Community A community strategy is often most effective, if developed as part of a comprehensive plan to bring about a healthy community. While not questioning the potential necessity for short-term law enforcement measures, this perspective calls for all in the community to help create a violence-free environment and a healthy community for everyone. 9.5 Work Towards a Balanced, Comprehensive Response Many communities have stressed the importance of developing a balanced, comprehensive response to youth violence. While the pressure to respond to immediate crises is natural, justifying continuing preventive programs is difficult. The results of preventive programs are often not readily apparent. Yet, the commitment to preventive measures is essential if we are to deal with the underlying causes of violence in our communities. 9.6 Involve The Media As Partners Often the media is considered to be a problem in that a distorted public understanding of youth violence is usually the result of media coverage. However, many communities involved in youth violence initiatives have involved media representatives as major partners in dealing with their community's youth violence concerns. 10 CONCLUSION Youth violence continues to be a major concern in many communities. While the incidents of such violence do not suggest a crisis, there is considerable commitment to develop effective preventative strategies. Communities vary as to the extent and nature of youth violence. They have differing resources available to allocate to this issue. They often organize in distinctive ways to address such community-based concerns. Hopefully, this manual will assist those concerned with youth violence to develop effective community strategies. As originally published on http://www.gov.ca
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==