Linda Fox-Mellway, Ward 14
On August 20, 2009, the federal government announced, along with Calgary Police Service (CPS) and Community and Neighbourhood Services (CNS), the creation of an early intervention program to support youth, age 10 to 17, who are gang members or who are at risk of gang involvement.
The YARD (Youth At Risk Development) program is a three-year pilot program funded by the Government of Canada-National Crime Prevention Centre, CPS and CNS.
To achieve its objectives the YARD program will focus on addressing the risk factors for gang involvement, such as:
• negative influences
• poor parental supervision
• alcohol/drug abuse
• limited attachment to the community
• over reliance on anti-social peers
• poor educational/employment potential, and
• the need for recognition and belonging.
The YARD program will also work to strengthen protective factors, such as: success at school, strong social supports, increased problem solving skills, positive adult role models, opportunities for positive recreational activities, and skills/knowledge to parents on effective parenting.
YARD is one of many programs and initiatives undertaken by The City of Calgary with several community partners, such as the Calgary Police Service, to support youth and their families. In addition to intervention programs such as YARD and MASST (the Multi Agency School Support Team), The City also assists youth with career planning, operates recreation programs and is coordinating a large scale initiative to provide productive options for youth in the critical hours period of 3 to 6 p.m. called Calgary After School.
The City of Calgary and Calgary Police Service believe early intervention is the key to YARD’s success. Children who are identified as being at risk of criminal behaviour and who receive early intervention to stay on the right path of life have a good chance of avoiding a criminal lifestyle.
Focusing resources on addressing the root causes of crime serves all Calgarians. Through the delivery of Youth Probation Services, The City of Calgary is able to be an active partner in justice oriented collaborations which work to reduce youth crime.
For more details on YARD please Call 3-1-1.
If you have any concerns of a civic nature, please do not hesitate to call my office at 268-2430, fax; 268-3823 or www.calgary.ca/aldermen/ward14
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