Roots of Youth Violence - Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Volume 3: Community Perspectives Report
Violence and criminal activity are a concern in the
community. “The last thing I want to see, the last thing
the community wants to see, is our youth going to
jail. We try to talk to them, talk to their parents, have
them evaluate their choices and create goals,” says
Gibeault. “We also work with the police, and they want
diversion (from courts and detention) to work. They
know if there’s no support for the youth, it’s not going
to work.”
What does a second chance look like One incident
involved a break-in at the community house. A group of
younger teens ate some food and made a mess. Gibeault
found out who the instigator was and went to his home
and sat down with him and his father. She said charges
would not be laid, but she wanted to know that he took
responsibility. He avoided her for a few months, but
eventually he apologized. He became a fixture around
the community house, helping out wherever he could.
“He is really turning his life around,” she adds.
to provide coordination of community houses. In 2004,
the city increased its investment in coordination and
youth outreach. The community houses partner with
other agencies to bring in needed services and apply for
funding from other sources, like the United Way, for
additional programs.
In 2006, Britannia Wood used one small pot of money
to deliver African drumming lessons. Lots of children
participated, but a few had real talent and stuck with it.
The Royal Ritchie Drummers (named after a street in
the community) now give concerts around Ottawa. The
youngest drummer is nine and the oldest is 14. One of
their biggest supporters is the Ottawa police service.
The community house gives part-time work to three
youth from the community who act as positive role
models as they help with recreation and other programs.
“Ordinarily, you never see the good role models. They
are at school or at work. All you see are the bad role
models hanging around. We try to change that,” says
Gibeault.
Community houses have been working in and with their
communities in Ottawa for a long time. The first one was
created in 1968. Britannia Woods opened in 1978. Since
1997, the City of Ottawa has provided annual funding
38 • Roots Review