Breaking the Cycle
 Click the logo to visit the site. |
Breaking the Cycle is all about helping young people avoid getting involved in gangs or getting out of gangs if they are already involved.
Participants include males and females, ages 15 – 23, who are or have been involved in a youth gang and are currently unemployed or not attending school.
They are committed to participating in the Project, and to honouring cooperative group norms and agreements.
The Leadership and Support Project begins with a two-week training program, followed by one-to-one case management sessions
over the course of an additional week. These follow-up sessions are an essential part of the Program, providing support in terms of meaningful
educational and job training opportunities, securing placement in an internship program, and in practicing non-violent conflict resolution with peers, parents, and employers.
Participants receive training pay — minimum wage for each hour worked.
Part of Breaking the Cycle, the Ambassador Leadership Project builds on the leadership potential of youth and involves them in community awareness efforts.
Through speaking engagements and development projects, youth reach out to youth to reduce the risk of gang involvement and develop a positive image of youth in the community.
The project was developed by CTI. Over the years, funding has come from the City of Toronto, Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, and the National Crime Prevention Centre.
By taking part in the Breaking the Cycle project, participants learn:
- Who they really are and how to live life the way they want to, while not hurting others.
- How to prevent other people from controlling what they do and how they feel or think.
- Ways to manage their feelings, thoughts, and actions in ways that will allow them to reach their goals.
- How to set realistic and achievable goals.
- How to manage anger, and the anger of other people.
- To understand the cycle of violence and ways to stop violence in their lives, with their family members, peers and within the larger community.
- How to have healthy, fun and safe relationships with other people.
- How to make a difference in their community and how to be a leader in non-violence.
- The skills which will help them to succeed in their future career choices.
Young people who participate in Breaking the Cycle are more likely to
- be successful in school, training and employment;
- resolve conflict non-violently;
- have improved relationships with peers, employers and parents;
- resist using alcohol or other drugs;
- be happier and see a future for themselves;
- make pro-social lifestyle choices;
- leave and remain away from gangs.
To find out more about Breaking the Cycle, the perspectives of the youth involved, and insights into the issues they face, please visit Breaking the Cycle. |
| Mission Statement |
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To facilitate the development of pro-social, leadership and employment skills to gang involved youth between the ages of 15–30 years old in contributing
to an alternate lifestyle, one in which pro-social dreams can be realized. |
| Contact Info |
Rexdale...
(416) 742-7588
Gary Newman
Project Director, Breaking the Cycle
1790 Albion Road, Suite 215
Rexdale, Ontario
M9V 4J8
Main: (416) 742-7588
or Cell: (416) 419-6983
gnewman@cantraining.org
Shaka Licorish
Youth Facilitator/Case Manager
slicorish@cantraining.org
Jumoke Famutimi
Youth Facilitator/Case Manager
jfamutimi@cantraining.org
Scarborough...
(416) 293-1287
Tom Walker
Project Director, Breaking the Cycle
2250 Midland Ave, Units 20-21
Scarborough, ON M1P 4R9
Main: (416) 293-1287
or Cell: (647) 296-5613
twalker@cantraining.org
Derek Woodruff
Youth Facilitator/Case Manager
dwoodruff@cantraining.org
Priya Shukla
Youth Facilitator/Case Manager
pshulka@cantraining.org | |
