For nearly three years, at risk youth in Saanich have been given the chance to avoid a criminal record and receive mentoring while completing community service at Commonwealth Place. This month marks a major evolution of that model B次元官网网址� one that will now incorporate healthy activity and skills training at the rec centre as a part of the restorative justice process for kids.
When Saanich police refer youth to the John Howard Society of Victoria, an organization devoted to providing services to people in conflict with the law, they will be connected with a recreation programmer at Commonwealth Place.
Young people in trouble B次元官网网址� though they canB次元官网网址檛 have a criminal record B次元官网网址� must complete 15 to 30 hours of maintenance work at the centre. While the do, theyB次元官网网址檙e also eligible to spend one-third of that time participating in recreation programs. Activities range from swimming and kayaking classes to job skills and first aid training.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to help them with those life skills that they can carry beyond their time here,B次元官网网址� said Tom Bryce, manager of Commonwealth Place. B次元官网网址淚 believe thatB次元官网网址檚 one of the keys to success: the relationships that are built through this process. I think somebody that feels comfortable and welcome is someone that tends to be more involved.B次元官网网址�
Kim Fagerland, supervisor of the Saanich Community Justice Initiative, is an alternate measures counsellor for both adults and youth through John Howard. She attributes the success of community service participants to the role models at the centre who help the kids.
B次元官网网址淚 prefer to send kids there because the staff there are so understanding of youth and accept kids where theyB次元官网网址檙e at,B次元官网网址� Fagerland said. B次元官网网址淚 know that theyB次元官网网址檙e going to be treated well, respected and challenged.B次元官网网址�
Whether facing bullying at school or a divorce at home, Fagerland says all of the youth she sees are dealing with underlying problems. A large portion of the participants are males raised by single mothers, she added.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the frustration of my job,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲here are the men to step up and support these boys? We need men to step up and take responsibility for them. B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 no good men in their lives and thatB次元官网网址檚 why I like to send them to Commonwealth,B次元官网网址� Fagerland said, lauding the mentorship of Bill Jamieson, building service supervisor and first contact youth make at the centre.
B次元官网网址�(Youth) come in here after theyB次元官网网址檙e done and you know them by their first name B次元官网网址� and itB次元官网网址檚 kinda neat to strike up a conversation. These kids are really good,B次元官网网址� Jamieson said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really impressed with the whole system.B次元官网网址�
There are far more stories of success than there are failures, Jameison said.
Former participants have continued to volunteer beyond their obligations. At least one has secured employment as a result of his experience.
Fagerland added: B次元官网网址淚f you have a criminal record and you canB次元官网网址檛 get a job, what are we gong to do with these people? B次元官网网址� When I see youth (at John Howard), I see it as a call for help.B次元官网网址�
About 25 to 30 kids complete community service at the rec centre annually. Their participation in recreation programming, including a three-month Saanich Recreation Access Pass upon completion of the community service, is funded by Coast Capital Savings.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
