Gang violence and the attraction of youths to gang membership is a complex issue requiring multiple partnerships and strategies.

CTI sees the development of local social capital as an important outcome of the effort to reduce violence and gang-related activity in the targeted neighborhood. Social capital consists of networks, norms, relationships, values and, in most cases, informal social control mechanisms that shape the quality of a neighborhood’s social interactions. It can be seen in the quality of the relationships between family members, across groups and among different social classes. Social capital is important because it contributes to a number of beneficial results, including efficient labor markets, improved school achievement, reduced levels of crime and improved health. In other words, communities become safer and healthier when there is enhanced social capital available. The overall community impact that CTI envisions from this project and its subsequent expansion includes:

• Reduced gang membership and involvement;

• Increased participation in the labor force by youths in the project;

• Increased positive contribution in the quality of the community by the youths in the project;

• Increased participation of members of the community in constructing positive solutions to community issues; and

• Improved image and economic development in Toronto neighborhoods.