Media Release

For Immediate Release
Tuesday September 25, 2001

Brampton, Ontario - Plans were unveiled today for an innovative program that will tackle youth crime and safety issues through a combination of volunteer placements and training. The Youth Education and Safety Program (YES) will recruit up to 60 Brampton area youth, as volunteers in a number of Brampton-based community safety programs. Youth, aged 14 to 20 years old, will commit to a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service with numerous safety and crime prevention organizations including: the Brampton Safe City Association, The Peel Regional Police Crime Prevention Unit, Canadians for Safe and Sober Driving, the Brain Injury Association, and the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre to name a few. The program is the result of a partnership between the Brampton Safe City Association, Brampton Multicultural Community Centre and Canadians for Safe and Sober Driving, with financial support from the Region of Peel.

"Youth involved with this program will get a first hand opportunity to learn about the negative impact of crime and unsafe behaviour such as reckless or impaired driving by working with the local organizations that are dedicated to preventing these dangers. At the same time, the program offers them specific training, that supports them in sharing their new knowledge with friends, family and peers" – Paul Damaso, Executive Director, Brampton Safe City Association.

One of the more unique elements of the YES program is that it will specifically target the involvement of newcomer and immigrant youth in the City of Brampton. "One of the many challenges faced by immigrant youth comes from their sense of isolation, a need to fit in, and lack of awareness about the Canadian criminal justice system. The YES program will provide a valuable opportunity to break down their fear of police, while providing a chance to interact with officers in a positive setting. Our aim is to help these young people develop an understanding of crime and improve their capacity for handling situations that can adversely affect them. The program benefits both the participants and the overall community. - Ahmed Iqbal, Executive Director, Brampton Multicultural Community Centre.

The Youth Education and Safety (YES) program officially kicked off its recruitment for youth participants today. Anyone who knows a 14 to 20 year old that may be interested in becoming a volunteer and participating in the program, is encouraged to contact the Brampton Safe City Office at (905) 793-5484. For more information, you can also check out the Brampton Safe City web site (after October 10th) at www.bramptonsafecity.ca.

For more information
Please contact: Paul Damaso or Sophia Graham (905) 793-5484

paul.damaso@city.brampton.on.ca

sophia.graham@city.brampton.on.ca

About the YES Program

• This is year one of a three year pilot project with financial support from the Regional Municipality of Peel;

• The program is being coordinated by three partner agencies: The Brampton Safe City Association; Brampton Multicultural Community Centre and Canadians for Safe and Sober Driving;

• The target of the program is to have up to 60 youth participating in volunteer placements with community safety organizations and the Peel Regional Police Crime Prevention unit over the course of the year;

• Youth participants are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service with their community organization and receive training on safety promotion from both their volunteer placement organization and through the YES Program Coordinator;

• Youth crime involving violation of property and thefts in the Region of Peel have continued to rise in 2000 (up 4% from 1999);

• There were more criminal charges resulting from major collisions in the year 2000 than in either of the previous 3 years (1999, 1998, 1997);

• 31% of the drivers killed in vehicle accidents within the Region of Peel, were residents of Brampton;

• 36% of the drivers killed in vehicle accidents in Peel were under the age of 30;

• Volunteering provides youth with many personal benefits, more than 8 out of 10 Ontario youth volunteers reported gaining interpersonal skills such as understanding people better, learning to motivate others and learning how to deal with difficult situations. About three-quarters developed communication skills such as public speaking, writing, and meeting facilitation. About two-thirds increased their knowledge about such issues as health, women’s issues, political issues, criminal justice and the environment, or developed organizational and management skills.

• Newly emigrated Canadians account for 36% of Brampton’s total population according to Statistics Canada findings (1996).

paul.damaso@city.brampton.on.ca

sophia.graham@city.brampton.on.ca