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Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES)
The National Crime Prevention Centre, Community Mobilization Project funded the Youth Empowerment Strategy which began in March 2003. YES built on the strengths and potential in the community to deal with underlying causes of crime and victimization. The project is helping to create a culture that actively promotes and reinforces positive interaction among youth, and teaches the skills necessary to manage conflict in a non-violent and constructive manner.YES Phase II kicked off during the March break of 2004 with the pilot testing of a Youth Mediation Skills Certificate Course. The training was held over two days and 14 youth attended. The focus of YES Phase II is to restructure CMS-D’s Certificate Courses to be more youth friendly.
There have been many unexpected successes within YES. Two weeks into the project, the Youth Advisory Committee designed and submitted a proposal to the Justice Department’s “Youth Justice Challenge”. The following week, the group was informed that they received second place honours and was awarded $9500. CMS-D and YES were chosen for recognition at a Press Conference held by the Attorney General Wayne Easter in May 2003. Three Youth Advisory members attended the event and presented a short skit outlining “I Messages”. YES was contacted by TV Ontario with regards to a youth panel discussion on youth crime and violence. Kanishka Sonnadara was interviewed by TV Ontario and had the opportunity to take a camera crew on a tour of Jane-Finch. The program was aired November 2, 2003.