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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
Christensen was joined by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General John van Dongen at the launch of I-RAYL (Inter-Regional At-Risk Youth Link), the first of the pilot programs to be implemented.
“It’s important to work together to protect
the most vulnerable children and youth in the province, which means looking for
innovative methods of reaching and supporting them,” said Christensen. “I-RAYL,
the first program of its kind in
The six pilot programs, which will
roll out in the coming months, focus on enhanced programs for at-risk pre/early
adolescents, and/or structured and integrated community planning models. Each
region in the province was granted equal funding for up to three years to
implement one or two evidence-based community initiatives. The projects are
part of a broader provincial community safety strategy being developed by the
ministries of Children and Family Development, Public Safety and
Solicitor General, and Attorney General.
“The idea is to address the social issues that are
the root causes of crime, which lead young people down the wrong road,” said
van Dongen. “That’s why today’s announcement is vital. I’m confident this pilot
project will be another valuable tool in the battle against crime.”
As the first program launched, I-RAYL focuses on youth aged 10 to 15 who find themselves drawn into the increasingly popular “social hubs” for homeless and at-risk youth at the SkyTrain stations. I-RAYL’s youth workers will link these vulnerable youth with existing outreach resources to help positively impact their behaviour by linking them to supports and resources in their home communities, when possible.
The goal of I-RAYL is to prevent more serious incidents of crime on the SkyTrain, in the community, and in the lives of youth as they become older. The program was developed by the Pacific Community Resource Society (PCRS), and is delivered in partnership with TransLink and other community agencies in Metro Vancouver.
“We are really excited to work with the B.C. government, TransLink, and service providers in seven different communities to make the SkyTrain a safer place for at-risk children and youth,” said Ian Mass, executive director of PCRS. “This innovative program will provide an opportunity for youth at risk to get connected with services they need at a time and place where they are most vulnerable.”
Transit Police Chief Officer Ward Clapham
said I-RAYL will be a key element in TransLink’s efforts to address security
concerns on SkyTrain.
“As police, we want to have more
appropriate ways to respond to situations than simply arresting people and
putting them in jail,” said Clapham. “We’ve been looking for a program like
I-RAYL because it will provide the right interventions and problem-solving in
so many cases. The Transit Police is 100 per cent on board."
The I-RAYL program is co-funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
Fraser and Vancouver Coastal regions, and is being implemented as a cross-regional crime prevention program. The crime prevention pilot programs are supported by the Criminal Justice Reform Secretariat. More information is available at www.criminaljusticereform.gov.bc.ca.
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Contacts: |
Carolyn Heiman Manager, Media Relations Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-1639 250 888-3545 (cell) |
Pacific Community Resource Society and I-RAYL 604 412-7950 |
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Ken Hardie Director of Communications TransLink 604 453-4606 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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