| Purpose : |
The StreetSmarts project will reduce both the crime rates and the rates of victimization among Ottawa's homeless population by implementing a 2-year volunteer outreach pilot. This pilot takes on a unique approach to handling and reducing homelessness by empowering existing homeless individuals to help themselves and other street people through training and volunteering. The StreetSmarts project will begin with the recruitment of 20 former addicts and/or street people to become volunteers. This will be done over the span of one month by outreach and presentations to various rehab programs and support groups. The volunteers will then be given appropriate training via “classroom” style workshops and through hands-on supervised training as they walk the streets. |