Breaking The Cycle of Violence

The Emergency Department Violence Intervention Program (EDVIP.ca)made front page of the Winnipeg Free Press today. Congratulations to Dr. Carolyn Snider and her team, including Heather Tiede, Billy Dubery, Nathan Thomas, Curly Mousseau, Heather Woodward, Dale Goulet and John Armstrong! It should be noted that many GAIN members were and are involved in this new program. CONGRATULATIONS! Original FREE PRESS article here…

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSThe Health Sciences Centre team includes Billy Dubery (from left), Nathan Thomas, Dr. Carolyn Snider, Curly Mousseau, Heather Woodward and Dale Goulet. Missing: John Armstrong Stomping out youth violence Health Sciences Centre ER launches unique program By Larry Kusch An HSC emergency room physician has convinced a national funding agency Winnipeg’s skyhigh rate of violence to youth should be viewed as a public health concern. Dr. Carolyn Snider is leading a team that will begin approaching injured youth — while they’re at the trauma hospital’s adult or children’s emergency departments — to offer counselling. Snider has received close to $900,000 from the Canadian Institute for Health Research for a two-year pilot project that will determine the value of a hospital- intervention approach based, in part, on programs in San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., and Philadelphia. At the same time, she and her team will conduct research to determine the cost benefit of instituting a permanent program at the hospital, which could cost about $500,000 a year. The expectation is it could save society a substantial amount of money — not to mention the physical and emotional pain for the victims and their families. Snider, who came to Winnipeg two years ago after working in a downtown Toronto emergency department, said the extent of youth violence in Winnipeg is “overwhelming at times.” “It’s, sadly, the perfect place to do this research,” she said Monday. Snider’s team includes five specially trained youth counsellors — adults who either experienced violence as youths or whose family was directly affected by it — a social worker and possibly mental-health and addictions workers. A counsellor will be called to the ER when a young person seeks treatment. Young people willing to participate in the pilot project will be paired for up to a year with a counsellor, who will help them with life-skills training, identify community supports and steer them to partnering agencies for help. TheEmergencyDepartmentViolence Intervention Program (EDVIP) will target youths aged 14 to 24. Many of the young people who wind up in ERs due to violence suffer from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, Snider noted. Many are impoverished, lack adequate housing “and a sense of belonging.” Not all are gang members, Snider said. The youths she treats for violent injuries represent a broad spectrum of high-risk youth. Liz Wolff, a program manager and clinician at New Directions, said framing the problem of chronic youth violence as a health concern is “brilliant.” “I think what (Snider is) doing is important in our community, and I think there will be huge benefit to individuals who experience violence,” said Wolff, who works with troubled youth, including gang members. Snider, who also teaches at the U of M and conducts research with the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, said she’s gratified the national funder accepted the premise that youth violence is a national health concern. She said the institute consulted various social agencies in drafting its successful proposal. Her project competed for funds with far more traditional health projects, such as heart research. Assuming the pilot project produces positive results, Snider will apply to the same national institute to fund a full HSC program for five years. After that, it’s hoped government will see the benefits of picking up the tab. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

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THE EVOLUTION OF A STREET GANG MEMBER – Options & Opportunites

THE EVOLUTION OF A STREET GANG MEMBER – Options & Opportunites View this email in your browser

SUCCESS STORY GAIN members asked that we share our success stories, and this is one from Gang Awareness for Parents. I am so proud to work with 2 great guys: Nathan Thomas, (a GAIN member, now employed with Dr. Carolyn Snider’s program, EDVIP.ca), and after meeting Niigani Naabe (the subject in this article) only 48 hours before, that ended up presenting with Nathan and myself to the Islamic Social Services Association Inc.Canada at the Winnipeg Central Mosque. Thanks to Meaghan Morrish a GAIN member, for the invitation! It is heartwarming to see these two young guys working to prevent gang involvement. HATS OFF TO YOU TWO! Thank you also to GAIN researcher Matt Fast for attending and adding great info to the crowd’s questions. Thank you James Jewell, a GAIN member, for attending our presentation, and for publishing this article in http://thepoliceinsider.com

THE EVOLUTION OF A STREET GANG MEMBER – Options & Opportunites ORIGINAL POSTING HERE A couple of weeks ago I wrote a story about a former Aboriginal Winnipeg street gang member named TM. The story ran in the Winnipeg Free Press last weekend after an editor contacted me and asked if I would mind if they ran the story in the Sunday Xtra. Of course I didn’t mind. It was a feel good story and a rare one at that.  Winnipeger’s are far more conditioned to hear stories about Aboriginal street gang members participating in horrific crimes, getting shot or being sentenced to life in prison. When TM read the story he sent me a text message expressing his appreciation. “Hey there I just read the article! It was awesome, you’re a great story-teller. Karma lately is exposing a different path for me.  I haven’t been involved in street issues for a very long time. Your article reminded me of some of the struggles I’ve had to overcome.  So thank you for that! There are so many elements to changing not just dropping that rag. Thx again, it was a great article.” I could tell from the text message my article had touched TM.  It undoubtedly provided him with the validation that his struggle to stay on a righteous path was worth the effort.  I don’t imagine TM has had the benefit of much positive reinforcement in his life, no less from an ex-member of Law Enforcement. The story only gets better. After reading the story Floyd Wiebe, Director of GAP (Gang Awareness for Parents), contacted me and asked if I thought TM would be interested in participating in a speaking engagement for a GAP presentation at a West End Community Forum. When I reached out to TM I was surprised at how quickly he seized the opportunity. The event was to take place at the Winnipeg Central Mosque at 715 Ellice Ave.  The presentation was going to be an informational session facilitated by the Islamic Social Services Association in partnership with the Winnipeg Foundation.  I knew this was going to be a giant step for TM and I wanted to be there to show him I supported him and his efforts to stay on a good path. When I arrived at the Mosque I met with Floyd, TM and Nathan Thomas, another ex-gang member with an equally remarkable story.  As I reached out to shake TM’s hand I could see he was somewhat nervous but I also sensed he was eager to participate and share his story. Before the presentation started I had an opportunity to learn a bit more about TM, after all, it’d been over thirteen (13) years since we’d met.  In speaking with TM I’d learn the gang related murder of his best friend Adrian Bruyere was a life changing event for him.  Not long after the physical and emotional wounds started to heal he realized he wanted to “drop the rag” and get out of the gang life. In order to do so he was going to have to be “beat out,” a common street gang ritual that involves taking a beating from your fellow gang members.  TM’s “beat out” was especially vicious as the rabid pack of gangsters punched, kicked and stomped him to the extent he was nearly killed.  The metal plate in his head and the scars on his face are a testament to the harsh realities of a street gang exit. For TM reconnecting with his Aboriginal culture was key to turning the page on his former life.  Part of his evolution involved taking a traditional name.  He is now known as “Niigani Nabbe.”  In translation, the name Niigani means “leading the way,” while Naabe, from the word Anishinaabe, means “male.”  When you put it all together its interpreted as, “Man who leads the way.”  And so the evolution began…. The GAP presentation was well attended with approximately thirty to forty inquisitive people from the Muslim community represented in the audience. As Floyd started working through the presentation he continually invited Nathan and Niigani to share their stories and wisdom. Nathan was an “original gangster” and started gang banging when he was ten (10) years old.  Nathan ran wild in the streets with no parental influences other than his grandmother and grandfather.  Tragically, the only modicum of family he had would be gone forever when his grandmother murdered his grandfather.  Life for Nathan was all about crime, drugs and money. “When I should’ve been graduating from high-school I was graduating into the Federal Penitentiary,” he told the riveted crowd.  ”What saved my life was my culture, for the very first time in my life I felt at home.” That was five years ago. Nathan Thomas now has a full-time job, pays taxes and speaks at community events and forums in partnership with Floyd Wiebe. The majority of his former gang brothers are deceased. The stories, insight and message shared by Niigani and Nathan were appreciated by the community members who attended. After the event concluded I shook Niigani’s hand and asked him how he felt. “I really enjoyed it, it’s a very positive thing,” he said. As we said goodbye I challenged Niigani to “Be the difference.” A challenge he seems ready to take. It’s all about Options & Opportunity! RELATED LINK: The Police Insider – “Street Gangs, Murder & Fate – An Odd Combination” The Winnipeg Free Press – “A Leopard Can Change its Spots” Written by: James G Jewell on November 6, 2013.

GANG ACTION INTERAGENCY NETWORK TO HOST 2ND CITY WIDE GANG FORUM

GANG ACTION INTERAGENCY NETWORK TO HOST 2ND CITY WIDE GANG FORUM

“We are tired of watching our children be killed, abused and left for the streets to decide their futures”

FRIDAY, APRIL 12th, 2013 WINNIPEG MANITOBA– This Tuesday will be the second city wide gang forum hosted by Winnipeg’s Gang Action Inter-Agency Network, a group of dedicated agencies working together to solve Winnipeg’s gang problem. The forum is based on a year of research and data collection on different gang strategies, gang exit strategies, youth consultation and key stakeholder interviews. GAIN will be highlighting three key aspects of a gang exit strategy and working to develop a strong action plan.

 

“It’s insane that in a city like Winnipeg, with a gang problem like we have, that there is no strategy for getting kids out of a gang,” says Jamil Mahmood, GAIN co-chair. “We are tired of watching our children be killed, abused and left for the streets to decide their futures. We need to step up and develop a gang exit strategy and a city wide comprehensive gang strategy before we lose any more of our children.”

 

WHO/WHAT: The forum will be a one day working session where groups will be prioritizing the areas of focus for the year, and creating concrete action plans. Keynote presentation to be done by the Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities, Hon. Kevin Chief and Winnipeg Police Constable Danny Smyth.

 

WHERE: University of Winnipeg Convocation Hall

 

WHEN: Tuesday April 16th, 2013

 

AGENDA:

Keynotes and Research to be presented: 8:50-9:45 a.m.

Interviews available: 9:45-10:15 a.m.

Jamil Mahmood- Executive Director, Spence Neighbourhood Association

Tammy Christensen- Executive Director, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.

Floyd Wiebe- Gang Awareness Parents

Matt Fast- GAIN Researcher, Gang Action Interagency Network

 

GAIN would also like to share the youth consultation video developed to be shown to groups of youth in order to engage them in presenting solutions to gang issues that are tangible to young people living in unsafe situations. The information gathered from these youth consultations will then be analyzed and become part of the overall strategy to end gang violence in Winnipeg. The youth in the video are not actors and they were not scripted in anyway.

 

Please use this link to access the video:

http://youtu.be/2cKnCAyaJDA

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For more information or interviews, please contact GAIN Co-chairs:

Jamil Mahmood, 204-783-8607 or 204-803-7808 e. jamil@spenceneighbourhood.org

Tammy Christensen, 204-586-2588 e. tammy@ndinawe.ca

Taking the Next Step: A Gang Strategy – Sept. 8, 2012

Taking the Next Step: A Gang Strategy – Sept. 8, 2012

Please click: GAINeventinfo

GAIN RUN for AWARENESS – Sept. 18

 

Sept 7 & 8, 2011 – Community Mobilization Against Gangs

This is not a GAIN event…
This event is hosted by the Old St-Boniface Residents’ Association

They have extended the Early Bird Registration to Aug 19th.

The “Professional Stream” with Dr. Mark Totten are “Fee Based” and directed to agencies.

Dr. Totten’s sessions are designed for professionals including law enforcement, psychologists, sociologists, correctional officers, probation officers, CFS, social workers, healthcare professionals, educators, principals and superintendents involved in case planning and case management systems for youth involved in the corrections system and/or at risk youth. Participants will understand integrated, multi-dimensional case planning and case management models. You will begin to form regional working groups to continue collaboration and build a longer-term, province-wide strategy.

The “Parent/Community Stream” with Richard Ramos has been sponsored and therefore “FREE”.

“Richard Ramos session is designed specifically for Parents and their communities. Participants will learn to develop the right program for your community and will develop parenting skills you did not know you had.”

The website is:

https://registration.plannersplus.ca/savingourchildren/registration.aspx

They have extended the early-bird rate until August 19th

BROCHURE:
community-mobilization-against-gangs-en

Winnipeg gets federal anti-crime funding

CBC News Posted: Aug 3, 2011 8:44 PM CT 

The federal government is providing nearly $1 million to anti-crime projects in Winnipeg, Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews announced Wednesday.

Among the projects receiving funding is Turning the Tides — a program designed to prevent at-risk youth in Winnipeg from joining youth gangs.

“Through programs like these, at-risk youth are learning life skills that help them make smart choices, and avoid gangs and a life of crime,” Toews said after touring the site.

“We are delivering on our promise to support families and communities by helping youth stay away from crime and gangs, and out of the justice system.”

Toews said Ottawa would provide $928,000 through the $7.5 million Youth Gang Prevention Fund for five projects in Winnipeg, which he said “further demonstrates the government’s commitment to preventing crime and making Canadian streets safe.”

The projects, all in Winnipeg, receiving funding for a year are:

• Just TV pilot program, Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, $157,487.60.
• Project O.A.S.I.S., new directions for children, youth, adults and families, $168,225.58.
• West Central Youth Outreach Project, Spence Neighbourhood Association, $190,006.12.
• Circle of Courage, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., $182,670.28.
• Turning the Tides, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc., $229,961.89.

The Government of Manitoba is also providing funding for the Just TV pilot program, Project O.A.S.I.S., Circle of Courage and Turning the Tides.

“Preventing crime and making our neighbourhoods safer takes a co-ordinated approach between governments, police and community agencies,” provincial Justice Minister Andrew Swan said.

“These programs complement our efforts to deal strongly with those who break the law by providing youth with structured programming, connections to caring and trained staff and guidance and support to help them choose to avoid a life of crime.”