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If you know a youth age 9-14 who has at least two of the following risk factors, you could refer the youth into the Youth Advocate Program.
Risk Factor Checklist
- Frequently in trouble with the law/involved in criminal activity
- High commitment to friends involved in criminal activity
- Friends/family members are gang members
- Conflict between home and school life
- Gangs in and around school/neighborhood
- Lack of adult role models, parental criminality/violent attitudes, siblings with anti-social behaviors
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What are the objectives of the program?
What do we do?
Who do we work with?
How do we work?
How do I refer a youth?
Audio Clip: Participant Interviews
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What are the objectives of the program?
- Reduce the key risk factors of isolation, stress and negative rushes that make youth vulnerable to engaging in criminal and or gang related activities.
- Increase the protective factors including self reliance, resiliency, life and pro-social skills by engaging youth in constructive behaviors with family, school and community.
- Increase and share knowledge of intervention strategies to prevent youth at risk from engaging in criminal and or gang activities.
What do we do?
- We support youth and their family in achieving their goals for change
- Led by the family, we provide individualized services and supports
- Led by the family, we work toward creating an environment where everyone works together to provide coordinated supports for the youth
- We connect youth and their family to existing community programs and supports
Who do we work with?
- Children and youth ages 9 to 14
- Maximum of 30 participants at any given time
- Primary caregivers
- Anyone who has the youth’s best interests at heart
How do we work?
- Privately and confidentially with each family
- With the consent of the family
A Youth Advocate Worker will use the community development approach. The worker will work directly with the youth and his/her family, building on the youth’s strengths. Youth will remain in the program for as long as they need to. Together they will build the skills and confidence required to withstand pressures to become involved in criminal activity and or gang activity. Integral to the program is the wraparound service delivery model which is simply enveloping the youth with support services in their community. The Youth Advocate Workers see's the youth about five times per week. Each Worker has five youth on their case load.
How do I refer a youth?
- By referring a youth into the program, you will be giving the youth and his/her family the opportunity to work with professionals in the community, in all facets of life, to strengthen and support the youth to not become involved in criminal activity and or gang activity. This program is voluntary.
- Pick up a referral form at the Program Office located in the Bloomfield
Centre, 2786 Agricola Street, or fill out one online. All information will be
kept confidential.
Note: A referral does not guarantee acceptance into the program and
participation in the program by the youth and the youth’s family must be
voluntary.
Audio
Listen to an October 2010 series by CBC's Mainstreet which includes an interview with participants in the Youth Advocate Program.
Audio Part 1 of 4
Audio Part 2 of 4
Audio Part 3 of 4
Audio Part 4 of 4
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