PREVENTIVE STEPS
United Way tackles underlying causes of the problem across the GTA
Tackling youth violence from several angles,
Most kids don’t dream of growing up to perpetrate or be the victim of violence. But when there are seemingly insurmountable barriers to success within a community, violence may follow.
United Way research has consistently highlighted neighbourhoods in Toronto where poverty and inequality has cemented itself. People are chronically unemployed or under-employed and there are “gaps in social services,” according to Nation Cheong, vicepresident, community opportunities and mobilization for the United Way.
“Poverty and lack of opportunity leads to marginalization,” says Cheong. “People feel disconnected from the traditional pathways to success and that can lead to desperation. In a small percentage of cases, violence may result.”
With a commitment of $1.94 million in investments over the next three years, the United Way has a four-step approach to address the underlying causes of youth violence across Toronto, Peel and York regions. Developing skills for highdemand industries. Today’s job market is tough for any young person. But United Way’s Career Navigator program specifically aims to give youth impacted by violence, past involvement with the criminal justice system, disabilities and other barriers to employment, the skills to succeed.
“Career Navigator is designed for young people who may not follow traditional pathways to success,” Cheong says. Partnering with agencies and employers, it provides education, training, job placement, soft skills and wrap-around support services specifically geared to the high-demand construction, retail, hospitality, IT and health and social services sectors. It takes a village to snag a job. “Our data shows us that if two people were to graduate today with the exact same marks from the same institution, the individuals who have an uncle or a neighbour to vouch for them have a significant advantage when entering the workforce,” Cheong says. The United Way’s netWORKS program aims to level the playing field by connecting young people to individuals established in the workplace “who can open doors for them” as mentors, coaches and advocates. Kick-starting businesses that aren’t all about profits. The United Way’s Toronto Enterprise Fund helps fledgling social enterprises, whose goal is not only to sell goods and services, but to provide training and opportunities for people who have trouble breaking into the job market. Timely intervention. When a family or individual is in crisis (perhaps police are called or they’re referred to a social ser- vice agency), often a number of things have gone wrong with their lives. Unfortunately, most social service agencies are limited to providing specific services (say housing, or support navigating the courts). They aren’t set up to handle multiple problems. The United Way’s FOCUS program aims to get immediate help for complex cases, potentially preventing things from going further off the rails.
Through its targeted, fourpronged approach, says Cheong, the United Way continues to address the issues that make young people vulnerable to violence, creating stronger, more functional communities.