The Toronto Police do really great work, especially with young people. And, unfortunately that work goes largely unheralded because we don’t often think of them as people who are truly concerned and active within our communities. We see them as ticket issuers. Think again.

In the hopes of helping teenagers in Toronto’s most at-risk and in-need neighbourhoods this summer, the Ontario government is investing its money and the Police are investing their time. This is all part of Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Strategy which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people to develop skills in the workplace and to feel good about themselves and their prospects for the future. This program began as a 2-year pilot project and has been a resounding success. Last year:
• 1,800 summer jobs were created in Toronto, Durham, Windsor, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, and Thunder Bay
• 159 teens were got jobs with the Police Services
• Over 3,000 teens participated in school-based programs to help youths who are in trouble with the law

As a result, the Ontario government is giving $5.3 million that will allow the Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Strategy to continue. The program provides summer job programs, 35 youth outreach workers, and school-based programs to help teenagers who have been involved in crime. In total 850 at-risk youths will have paid summer jobs. This year 100 teenagers will have the opportunity to actually work for the Toronto Police Service in many different areas including forensics and traffic services. Another 750 teens will have jobs as youth outreach workers. Other communities throughout Ontario will be running similar programs, with 950 jobs funded in Durham, Hamilton, Windsor, Ottawa, London, and Thunder Bay.

For more details follow the link to the Toronto Police Service website
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/
and Youth Connect which provides comprehensive information on government services for youth.
http://www.youthconnect.ca/