| Purpose : |
The Quantum Opportunties Program (QOP) will assist up to 75 at-risk youth over a four year period in the city of Saint John, N.B. The program targets students entering ninth grade who come from low-income families and supports them for the full four years that they are in high school.
QOP interventions fall into three general components: educational activities, developmental activities, and community service activities. The program requires that the students complete 250 hours of activity per year in each of these components, for a total annual participation of 750 hours and a total of 3000 hours of participation over the four years of the project.
The project will address four specific risk factors: low academic achievement, dropping out of school, problematic life choices (drug / alcohol use; early sexual involvement), and anti-social, aggressive, or violent behaviour. Both academic failure and school drop-out are risk factors highly correlated with criminal activity. Up to 75 at-risk youth will be referred by School District 8, the Saint John Police Force, and youth serving organizations.
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