M.O.V.E - Mind Over Violence Everywhere

Move is a youth program developed by the Student's Commission and the Canadian Public Health Association. M.O.V.E. (Mind Over Violence Everywhere) is a series of youth-directed workshops that uses art, improvisational theatre, sports, music and group work to deal with themes of violence prevention. Participants develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and peer mediation. Using a variety of engaging techniques, the programme stresses rights and responsibilities, assertiveness training, and community relations. The program helps youth explore how issues of violence affect their lives.

For more information visit: http://www.cpha.ca/move.htm

The New School @ Surrey - National Youth Literacy Demonstration Project

Literacy BC and the Surrey School District are working together to develop a new and effective educational alternative for high school students who have difficulty reading and writing. The research and development project is co-funded by the National Literacy Secretariat and the Crime Prevention Centre. It is intended to not only establish an alternative programme in Surrey but to foster improved literacy services for youth in British Columbia and throughout Canada. Beginning with the 2001/02 school year, Surrey School District began operating a demonstration classroom to address the multiple challenges of youth who have either dropped out of school or were identified as being at risk of doing so. As of July 2003, the first year of the project has been completed. Initial findings are quite positive and point to an effective strategy for increasing the literacy skills of at-risk youth, fostering their social development, and assisting them to succeed in high school.

To read the summary of the research findings for year one visit: http://www2.literacy.bc.ca/whatsnew/newscho2.pdf

For more information contact:
The New School @Surrey
Lee Weinstein, Principal
9260 140th Street
Surrey, BC V3V 5Z4
Tel: 604-584-5424

Sage Youth

Sage Youth provides free literacy, academic and life-skills classes to high-needs children between the ages of five and eighteen. Most of the students are new Canadians, many have learning disabilities, and almost all are from financially disadvantaged families. Sage Youth is based in Ottawa. The programmes are located in a homeless shelter, a community centre, four high-schools and a low-income housing development. The training, workbooks, and funding programs are available nationwide.

For more information visit: http://www.sageyouth.org/home.htm

YOUCAN - Youth Canada Association

YOUCAN (Youth Canada Association) is a national non-profit charitable organization that is dedicated to empowering youth and building a culture of peace among the youth of today. In 1997, the Canadian Peer Mediators Association was handed over to a new all youth National Board of Directors and re-named YOUCAN - Youth Canada Association, which stands for "Youth Organizing to Understand Conflict and Advocate Non-Violence." YOUCAN's Mission is to "equip youth to engage and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities."

Through professional workshops and training events YOUCAN has been able to train over 11,000 diverse youth in the skills of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. YOUCAN offers training in nine different modules – Conflict Resolution, Peer Helping, Youth Negotiation, Mediation, Facilitation, Peace Circles, Cross Cultural Conflict Resolution, Youth Taking Action, and Train-the-Trainer. These modules have been developed by experts in the field, with consultation and collaboration from community-based groups, advisors, and youth volunteers and trainers. The workshops are offered in the participants' community. Each training runs for two days for approximately 12- 16 hours. The sessions can be condensed or adapted to meet the specific needs of the group.

For information on the workshops or other services offered by YOUCAN logon to http://www.youcan.ca or contact: