| Purpose : |
Diverse youth aged thirteen to twenty from nine targeted communities will develop leadership and governance skills through participation in Youth Town Councils, working parallel to municipal councils. This cooperative method will foster teamwork, youth activism and crime reduction and prevention project development specific to children and young people. Youth will be instrumental participants in community opportunities and experience meaningful adult mentorship by local governance and affiliated service providers. Elders and coaches from within the communities will help to ensure commitment and support to the youth, enhance cultural identity and traditional community learning, as well as serve to sustain project outcomes. Youth involved with the criminal justice system will be included as experiential resource to broaden youth engagement of youth experiencing multiple risk factors for criminal involvement and victimization. Each Youth Town Council will develop its own work plan and projects to address the risk factors and community safety issues that are youth priorities. |