Youth Violence Target of Peacebuilders' Project
Friday, June 01, 2007
- Organization: Media Alert: Peacebuilders International
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - June 1, 2007) -
What: Fundraiser to reduce violence in Toronto
When: Monday, June 4, 2007 - 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Steam Whistle Brewing
Why: Because at-risk youth need help to resist joining gangs
Torontonians are invited to Peacebuilders International's Fourth Annual Spring for Peace fundraising event in support of providing Toronto's at-risk youth with the skills to address conflict without violence, and help them to resist illegal activities and involvement in youth gangs.
Join Peacebuilders and their supporters for a great evening of fun, food and drink hosted by Rod Black, The Voice of CTV Sports and TSN at Steam Whistle Brewing on Monday, June 4, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The evening will also include musical performance by the multi-talented pianist and entertainer, Stephan Moccio, amazing live Fine Wine and Silent Auctions, and wine tastings of rare 2001 Burgundy wines.
The Steam Whistle Brewing is located at 255 Bremner Boulevard. For tickets call 416-960-0105, or visit www.peacebuildersinternational.com Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.artsboxoffice.ca, or they can be also purchased at the door on the evening of the event.
Background:
Peacebuilders International (Canada) is a registered charity building peaceful and sustainable communities in Toronto through cross-cultural partnerships among youth and adults. Peacebuilders incorporates the Peacemaking Circles (Circles) methodology for violence prevention and intervention.
A 'Youth Circles' Project was recently launched to broaden the use of Circles in schools and Toronto inner-city communities to reduce violence as a path taken by young people to resolve conflicts. (See website: www.peacebuildersinternational.com).
Based upon Aboriginal circles and universal approaches, Peacebuilders adapted Circles to Toronto's diverse inner-city communities in the award-winning 'Peacemaking Circles Pilot Project in St. James Town and Regent Park'. 49 youth between the ages of 13 and 25 were diverted from disciplinary processes and the justice system into a Peacemaking Circles process. Almost 100% of the youth that were accepted into the Pilot Project were diverted from the justice system. Circles use a "Talking Piece" which is passed from person-to-person around in a circle. Each participant, regardless of age, culture, or status has equal access to contribute to the discussion and help create a sustainable plan that takes into account the interests of everyone involved.
Since fall of 2006, Peacebuilders has conducted Circles workshops and trainings with over 80 youth who were suspended or expelled from school; charged or convicted of criminal activity; sentenced or serving time in jail. These youth were from Kingston-Galloway, North Rexdale, Jane and Finch, and other high-need communities across the city.
In addition, since March 2007, Peacebuilders has worked with the City of Toronto Crisis Response Team and has conducted workshops and Healing Circles with over 24 youth and 20 community members in the Chalkfarm community and over 18 youth in the Black Creek community subsequent to the shooting that resulted in the death of a 19 year old youth in the Chalkfarm community. Peacebuilders has also conducted Peacemaking workshops and trained over 40 youth workers from the Malvern and Weston - Mt. Denis communities.
Since 2005, Peacebuilders has also been working with both Elementary and Secondary schools across Toronto doing workshops with 60 teachers and several hundred students in order to diminish the disciplinary impact upon at-risk youth with the use of Circles' methodology. All Grade Nine students at Jarvis Collegiate Institute have participated in a Peacemaking Circles workshop. Peacebuilders has also been involved with schools in north Etobicoke, and Jane and Finch areas. As well, all 90 teachers and primary staff at Westview Centennial Secondary School in the Jane and Finch area are being trained to use the Peacemaking Circles process with other staff and with the schools' students. Over 30 Principals and Vice-Principals from schools across Toronto have participated in workshops on how to use Circles' methodology to address disciplinary issues involving troubled, at-risk youth in order to keep them in school and out of trouble.
Peacemaking Circles assist authorities to break the crime-and-punishment cycle by providing disruptive youth, victims and others effected by the events, a voluntary means to access justice to address their conflicts. Circles have proven to be valuable in restoring justice both in diverting youth from the criminal justice process and in violence prevention/restorative discipline strategies for school administrators applying the Safe Schools Act. These approaches are supported by the Chief Justice of Ontario, Toronto Chief of Police, Toronto District School Board Safe Schools Superintendent, Probation, Duty Counsel, Toronto Community Safety Secretariat, as well as many community members and youth. Peacebuilders' pioneering approach was validated by the awarding of The Law Society Medal and the YMCA Peace Medallion to its Founder and Executive Director, Eva Marszewski in 2006.
Launched this year, the 'Youth Circles' Project helps Toronto's 12 to 17 year old youth who are at risk of gang involvement take responsibility, stay in school and out of trouble, while providing an alternative to violence and incarceration. Trained lawyers, mental health professionals, community elders and youth volunteer as "Circle Keepers". A 'Youth Circle' proposes a healing dialogue that tackles tough issues and achieves a resolution in the interest of all the participants. The result is a comprehensive plan of action to help the youth stay out of trouble. With seed funding from Justice Canada, 'Youth Circles' is a partnership of Peacebuilders, St. Stephen's Community House Conflict Resolution Services, Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Charitable Registration:
BN 83877 6524 RR0001
What: Fundraiser to reduce violence in Toronto
When: Monday, June 4, 2007 - 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Steam Whistle Brewing
Why: Because at-risk youth need help to resist joining gangs
Torontonians are invited to Peacebuilders International's Fourth Annual Spring for Peace fundraising event in support of providing Toronto's at-risk youth with the skills to address conflict without violence, and help them to resist illegal activities and involvement in youth gangs.
Join Peacebuilders and their supporters for a great evening of fun, food and drink hosted by Rod Black, The Voice of CTV Sports and TSN at Steam Whistle Brewing on Monday, June 4, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The evening will also include musical performance by the multi-talented pianist and entertainer, Stephan Moccio, amazing live Fine Wine and Silent Auctions, and wine tastings of rare 2001 Burgundy wines.
The Steam Whistle Brewing is located at 255 Bremner Boulevard. For tickets call 416-960-0105, or visit www.peacebuildersinternational.com Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.artsboxoffice.ca, or they can be also purchased at the door on the evening of the event.
Background:
Peacebuilders International (Canada) is a registered charity building peaceful and sustainable communities in Toronto through cross-cultural partnerships among youth and adults. Peacebuilders incorporates the Peacemaking Circles (Circles) methodology for violence prevention and intervention.
A 'Youth Circles' Project was recently launched to broaden the use of Circles in schools and Toronto inner-city communities to reduce violence as a path taken by young people to resolve conflicts. (See website: www.peacebuildersinternational.com).
Based upon Aboriginal circles and universal approaches, Peacebuilders adapted Circles to Toronto's diverse inner-city communities in the award-winning 'Peacemaking Circles Pilot Project in St. James Town and Regent Park'. 49 youth between the ages of 13 and 25 were diverted from disciplinary processes and the justice system into a Peacemaking Circles process. Almost 100% of the youth that were accepted into the Pilot Project were diverted from the justice system. Circles use a "Talking Piece" which is passed from person-to-person around in a circle. Each participant, regardless of age, culture, or status has equal access to contribute to the discussion and help create a sustainable plan that takes into account the interests of everyone involved.
Since fall of 2006, Peacebuilders has conducted Circles workshops and trainings with over 80 youth who were suspended or expelled from school; charged or convicted of criminal activity; sentenced or serving time in jail. These youth were from Kingston-Galloway, North Rexdale, Jane and Finch, and other high-need communities across the city.
In addition, since March 2007, Peacebuilders has worked with the City of Toronto Crisis Response Team and has conducted workshops and Healing Circles with over 24 youth and 20 community members in the Chalkfarm community and over 18 youth in the Black Creek community subsequent to the shooting that resulted in the death of a 19 year old youth in the Chalkfarm community. Peacebuilders has also conducted Peacemaking workshops and trained over 40 youth workers from the Malvern and Weston - Mt. Denis communities.
Since 2005, Peacebuilders has also been working with both Elementary and Secondary schools across Toronto doing workshops with 60 teachers and several hundred students in order to diminish the disciplinary impact upon at-risk youth with the use of Circles' methodology. All Grade Nine students at Jarvis Collegiate Institute have participated in a Peacemaking Circles workshop. Peacebuilders has also been involved with schools in north Etobicoke, and Jane and Finch areas. As well, all 90 teachers and primary staff at Westview Centennial Secondary School in the Jane and Finch area are being trained to use the Peacemaking Circles process with other staff and with the schools' students. Over 30 Principals and Vice-Principals from schools across Toronto have participated in workshops on how to use Circles' methodology to address disciplinary issues involving troubled, at-risk youth in order to keep them in school and out of trouble.
Peacemaking Circles assist authorities to break the crime-and-punishment cycle by providing disruptive youth, victims and others effected by the events, a voluntary means to access justice to address their conflicts. Circles have proven to be valuable in restoring justice both in diverting youth from the criminal justice process and in violence prevention/restorative discipline strategies for school administrators applying the Safe Schools Act. These approaches are supported by the Chief Justice of Ontario, Toronto Chief of Police, Toronto District School Board Safe Schools Superintendent, Probation, Duty Counsel, Toronto Community Safety Secretariat, as well as many community members and youth. Peacebuilders' pioneering approach was validated by the awarding of The Law Society Medal and the YMCA Peace Medallion to its Founder and Executive Director, Eva Marszewski in 2006.
Launched this year, the 'Youth Circles' Project helps Toronto's 12 to 17 year old youth who are at risk of gang involvement take responsibility, stay in school and out of trouble, while providing an alternative to violence and incarceration. Trained lawyers, mental health professionals, community elders and youth volunteer as "Circle Keepers". A 'Youth Circle' proposes a healing dialogue that tackles tough issues and achieves a resolution in the interest of all the participants. The result is a comprehensive plan of action to help the youth stay out of trouble. With seed funding from Justice Canada, 'Youth Circles' is a partnership of Peacebuilders, St. Stephen's Community House Conflict Resolution Services, Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Charitable Registration:
BN 83877 6524 RR0001
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