Youth Living in High Risk Communities
Many young people do not have a positive impression of the justice system. Whether because of historic conflict with law, disengagement from school, or other social and economic factors, these young people are not having positive interactions through their Civics or Law courses. Specific outreach programs have been developed to bridge the various barriers to these youth having a positive interaction with the jusitce system. OJEN works in partnership with community agencies, including social housing and youth-serving organizations to deliver these programs.
In partnership with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), OJEN runs a six-week justice education program for youth living in TCHC communities. The program begins with a ‘Justice 101’ session and culminates in a mock criminal trial, where youth step into the roles of lawyers, court staff and witnesses.
OJEN has delivered a two-phase program for young people attending a school for expelled students, developing opportunities for students to recover missing credits. In this way, the program exposes them to the justice system while also promoting high school graduation.
Outreach in this area aims to be responsive to local needs, including Town Hall sessions that facilitate discussions between students and police officers and integrated law-focused curriculum for students that includes co-op opportunities.
Please contact OJEN at info@ojen.ca if you are interested in volunteering with OJEN justice education programming, or are interested in collaborating on a new initiative.
