Roots of Youth Violence - Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Volume 3: Community Perspectives Report
In their eyes, adults
have repeatedly
let them down. We
work diligently at
ROOF to reach out
to these youth and
let them see that
there are adults who
will stand by them
and support them
“We meet the youth where they are at and we don’t judge
them,” she says. “They come with various degrees of hurt
and anger. They need to take some ownership for their lives,
and we need to walk alongside them to help — not drag them
or push them, but walk with them. We see their potential, not
their past, and we help them to see it too. Many
of these young people have lost the ability to
dream dreams and set goals.
“When they trust us, there is a chance to talk
about better ways to solve problems other than
resorting to violence, and build understanding
of accountability and consequences. But you
need to build a rapport. In their eyes, adults
have repeatedly let them down. We work
diligently at ROOF to reach out to these youth
and let them see that there are adults who will
stand by them and support them.”
ROOF is getting into some “social enterprise”
programs, which it hopes will help some youth
get a foothold in the employment market. In collaboration
with various community partners, and with both private
and public sector funding, youth are learning about the
food industry and getting certified in food handling. The
ROOF Lunchbox program prepares and delivers lunches to
downtown businesses and homes. ROOF is also developing
a second social enterprise to harness the artistic talents of
some of the youth.
These kinds of programs help to teach responsibility as well
as skills to youth participants, because they have to show up
on time and do their jobs to get paid. ROOF is also hoping
to get its skills programs recognized as co-op placements for
high school credit.
ROOF provides street outreach, meeting the needs of youth
who may not be ready to approach formal agencies in the
community, and offers drop-in programs seven days a week in
the daytime and evenings. ROOF was homeless itself for two
years after its building was destroyed in a fire in December
2005 and maintained services in various temporary quarters.
Now, in its new building, the organization is looking to
address service gaps and find new ways to help youth build
on their strengths.
36 • Roots Review