Surrey and its neighbouring communities have a number of local initiatives and programs that get youth involved in their community and help prevent youth gang related violence. If you know of a program that is not listed here, please contact us and we can add it!
Vancouver Riot: Let's Talk About It: On July 9, 2011, the Vancouver District Students' Council held a youth forum inviting students to watch a documentary video of the riot, listen to presentations from government, school and library representatives, and to discuss the riot in small groups. These groups considered four main themes: the face of Vancouver, mob mentality, personal experiences and the post-riot Vancouver. Notes from this event and the small group discussions were compiled into a public report.
Community Gardens, a branch of the RCMP Wrap Project: In the summer of 2010, youth participants of the Wrap Project started a community garden, with support from Acting Together. Youth took pride in growing their own vegetables and learning a new skill.
Gang Culture Juried Art Show: Art work by 22 students was displayed and judged at the new Newton Cultural Centre in October 2010. Winning pieces had such titles as Lead Down the Path, Bad Company, The Search for Hope, Torn Innocence and No Exit.
Special Translink Car: The car was been professionally designed with graphics from the anti-gang posters made by three lower mainland students, including Surrey's Douglas Scandrett. The posters were chosen through the Teens Against Gangs poster contest.
Operation Loadstar: Part of this anti-gang initiative based in Abbotsford initiative involved a poster campaign aimed at de-glamourizing the gang lifestyle to youth.
Internet Safety: DIVERSEcity received funding to begin an initiative on internet safety. This program is aimed at bringing awareness of internet safety issues to the South Asian community. Information is provided about online risks, including presence of sex offenders and recruitment by gangs.
Teens Against Gangs (TAG) Video Competition