Embedding Literacy into the Criminal Justice System for Youth

VANCOUVER, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - When literacy upgrading is provided for at-risk youth, it can prevent criminal activity, reduce recidivism and establish youth as active citizens in the community. (Click here for research)

On February 20^th, panelists across the country representing youth, criminal justice and literacy will discuss the barriers and keys to success in incorporating literacy into youth services.

Simultaneous conferences will be held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax, with local experts sharing best practices in their fields. In addition, there will be a free, live webcast from Winnipeg.

Who:	Doug Spencer, Vancouver Transit Police & Odd Squad Productions (Keynote Speaker)
	Panelists:
	Dr. Gira Bhatt, South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence (SACCAYV)
	Paul Gordon, Manager, Youth Justice Programs
	Simone Maassen, Manager, Youth Services, Abbotsford Community Services
	Rob Rai, Assistant Manager, Safe Schools Surrey
	Amar Randhawa, Victim Services & Crime Prevention Division, Ministry of Justice
	Amir Javid, Youth Justice Touchstone Family Association (Facilitator)
What:	Keynote and Panel Discussion
When:	Thursday, February 20^th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where:	Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street
Why:	To discuss ways to embed literacy into the criminal justice system for youth

Sherry Campbell, Frontier College President and CEO, is looking forward to the forum. "In 2012, we released a discussion paper and held a forum on the positive impact that literacy supports have on youth involved in the criminal justice system. This is the next step: ensuring that literacy becomes an integral part of the services available for these youth across the country."

The forum and conferences are supported by Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, which have supported Frontier College's literacy programs since 1999.

"There can no longer be exclusions or lost generations when it comes to the right to learn and the opportunity to gain education," says Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. "The Frontier College Forum is helping address gaps and challenges in the literacy landscape for at-risk youth and those involved in the criminal justice system. Doing so is a key step towards success and a stronger, vibrant community - a community of learning without boundaries."

For more information http://www.frontiercollege.ca/english/learn/youth_crim_justice_lit.html

About Frontier College
Frontier College is Canada's original literacy organization. Founded in 1899, this charitable organization recruits and trains volunteers to deliver literacy programs to children, youth and adults in communities across the country. Frontier College helps Canadians improve their literacy and increase their opportunities.  We believe that literacy is a right.

About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year.

Learn more about the organization's corporate social responsibility.

 

SOURCE: Frontier College

Abby Robins
Director of Communications
Frontier College
[email protected] or
416-923-3591 ext. 378 (office) or 416-277-3340 (cell)

Marlene Klassen
Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
[email protected]
Office: 204-946-7705