The purpose of this project was to develop an effective gang prevention program. A literature review on effective programs for vulnerable youth was used to design an after school gang prevention program. The program, named The BEAT, provides a flexible, youth-centred curriculum with the goal of reducing anti-social behaviours and building healthy relationships. The BEAT teaches interpersonal skills through discussions, activities, mentoring, life skill development and recreational opportunities. The program is designed to partner with family support programs and community agencies to create a wraparound approach to support vulnerable adolescent males, ages 11 to 14. The BEAT provides 11 group sessions with two follow up sessions and contains resource links and activities for group facilitators. --Leaf ii.
Sport-based interventions (SBIs) are one method proven to help at-risk youth improve their lives by building relationships with positive adult and peer role models and providing a physical goal oriented activity with which to engage. This study examined boxing as a SBI intervention, looking specifically at if and how it may improve the lives of at-risk youth in Prince George and 100 Mile House, BC. SBIs have been shown to empower youth to choose differently by assisting them to develop positively (Wright, 2006; Pollack, 1998). My research focused on the sport of boxing as an intervention to assist youth towards more positive development, especially for at-risk youth living in northern British Columbia (BC), to form positive relationships, gain empowerment to make healthy choices, and decrease violent behaviours. To collect data, open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted. There were eight interviews completed with two boxing coaches, two adult boxers, who have been boxing since their youth, and four youth boxers ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old. Thematic analysis was conducted with the interview transcripts, which yielded three main findings: influence of boxing, boxing can teach life skills, and coaches’ have a positive influence. The significance of this research is well-timed and important. In a northern BC community with fewer resources available as compared to urban geographies, an SBI might be a more viable option to help youth become connected to their communities.
Staffed residential youth care homes have been in existence in one form or another in North America since the 1700's. As time has passed, the field of child and youth care work has evolved considerably. The substance abuse issues, developmental, and behavioural conditions that afflict youth in care are often quite pronounced. Ever increasingly, practitioners working with at-risk youth populations require a more specialized skill set and knowledge. This paper qualitatively reviews past literature on competency model development and approaches, as well as linkages to organizational performance, retention, and morale. Utilizing past research and experience working in the child and youth care field, competency development plans were created for implementation at a private residential youth care facility. Specific organizational competencies identified as priorities for development included knowledge, teamwork, relationship building, conflict management, and leadership. --P. ii.
