HOPE PROJECT

Aperçu:

In Inner City neighbourhoods in Winnipeg it is often very difficult for parents to raise their children without being overwhelmed with the influence of gangs, drugs, alcohol, sniffing, prostitution and gambling. At WICM we hear many stories of family violence, early childhood sexual abuse, bullying, parental neglect, and family members having witnessed or been victim to violent crime involving guns, knives, and other weapons unimaginable to many. We are looking to you for help to prevent this from happening, to help us help children and families who need your help as well as ours. The need to get information and understanding of the dangers of the gang life and prostitution that many of our youth see every day cannot be stressed enough. This program will provide a forum for youth to meet and form good relationships with members of the legal profession and develop an understanding that there is HOPE to stay ‘off the streets’ and away from gang, prostitution, and criminal life. The youths will perform a variety of activities including discussion groups, making anti gang posters, receiving help with homework and learn life skills that they make not get anywhere else. More importantly though they will meet and learn from community members how to live safely. The expected outcomes include fewer of our children being recruited into gang/prostitution activity and an increase in drug awareness among all the participants. TARGET GROUP The target group is children/youth between the ages of 6 – 14. This year in response to overwhelming demand, an aggressive HOPE project will be woven into the activities of both the children [ages 6-10], and youth programs [ages 11-15]. Children and youth will learn where the safe places in their neighbourhood are and learn how to contact other community agencies, services, and safe places as the need arises. At Flora House Neighbourhood youngsters have a safe place to be off the streets five days of the week; after school during the school year, and during the day over the summer. The programs there are all geared to encourage ongoing personal growth, increase self confidence, develop an understanding in Aboriginal culture and traditions, and improve skills in Math, English, Science, Sports, the Arts, Nutrition, and Computers. The Children and youth build relationships with strong role models in the community. The programs offered help build self confidence and personal skill which helps them resist the allure of gangs or prostitution rings. There is a skills based learning approach taken to all program delivery at Flora House and the participants receive individual attention and guidance that they often need to succeed. The program is limited to 25 participants at a time. Adult to Child/Youth ratios are 1:6. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Winnipeg Inner City Missions has complete support from families and caregivers in the community. It is one of the few organizations in Winnipeg that offers services and supports to families living in poverty. Community Alcohol and Drug Services • Provide Outreach Facilitators in the Prevention and Education Field for this project. These workers have flexible scheduling that will be especially useful as needs become identified by families. • Offer access to their extensive resource library of materials i.e.; publications for distribution, research publications for review, videos and alcohol and drug education kits for youth of all ages. Community Child Abuse Treatment Services • Provide resource materials regarding: effects of violence on the family, coping skills for stress, exploring conflict resolution, effect of Addictions on the family • Raise awareness around violence and drug abuse. • Provide Child and Youth counselling • Offer Program support Winnipeg Police Services • Help facilitate community drug awareness workshops • Provide materials for distribution about crime and drug use • Offer program support BUDGET : Expenses Rent 4,900 Salaries 11,200 Food 6,600 Supplies 5,600 Transportation 1,800 Elder Honorius 2,000 Cultural supplies 1,900 Total expenses 34,000