Background

In 2003 Native Counselling Services of Alberta met with the Edmonton Police Service and proposed a partnership between the two organizations, to more effectively address the issue of gang violence. Now, two years after the initial discussions began, this initiative has grown and includes a wide variety of people who work together on a strategic, community-wide approach to address the issue of gangs and gang violence.

A Steering Committee, Project Manager and Evaluation Team, support the endeavours of the four Working Groups whose goals are to develop action plans to address the issues of gang violence. Each group’s work is dedicated to a specific area.

Early Childhood

Promote school readiness and enable children to make a positive transition to school and help children develop the social competence that leads to positive interactions with peers and adults, pro-social behaviour, experiences and opportunities.

Late Childhood

Develop interventions that create reinforced opportunities to further develop age appropriate social skills necessary for the development and maintenance of positive relationships with peers and adults.

Early Adolescence

Develop interventions that enable adolescents to see and experience ways to meet their needs through pro-social interactions and activities.

Mid to Late Adolescence

Develop interventions to help youth believe and see viable options to make a better life without the support or membership in a gang.