Of the youth and their families living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Strathcona and Grandview-Woodlands communities 95% are refugees or recent immigrants, Indigenous and racial minority families. With average household income in at least two of these communities estimated to be in the $20,000s, many live in low-income housing. Boys often come from single-parent household incomes that fall below the poverty line. These communities experience the highest crime and violent crime statistics outside of the Downtown Core district. For instance, in December 2020 a 19-year-old living in one of the three communities, who had “aged out” of the ‘after school’ and basketball programs, died from violent conflict and criminal activity. Just four months later a 15-year old died for the same reason. Other young people in the area have been involved in, or impacted by, these kinds of events. Criminology experts, police officials and political leaders all agree that the flow of young people into the gang lifestyle must stop.
To address this serious concern, the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise has led the establishment of a $70,745 [or $58,500?] youth leadership, life skills and mentorship program with support of a $5,000 contribution from Rotary Club of Vancouver and a Rotary District 5040 Grant of $8,000 from The Rotary Foundation.
Other organizations supporting the program are Rotary Strathcona Youth Leadership Hoop-a-thon campaign, Girls Who LEAP: Lead to Empower & Act with Purpose Society and Face of Today Foundation.
The program, “Boys Who DARE: Drive to Action & Reach for Excellence”, focuses on leadership, life skills and mentorship for at-risk, male and LGBTQ+ youth. It promotes positive peace, conflict resolution and community development. The need could not be greater given the recent sharp increase in gang and community violence in the three Vancouver communities.
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The “Boys Who DARE” program integrated with, and built on, two successful programs supported by the Rotary-Strathcona Hoop-a-thon and Youth Leadership Program: Girls who LEAP (Leadership, Empowerment, Action & Purpose) and the Strathcona Youth Basketball program, filling a gap with early intervention outreach programs for high-needs youth disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The targeted youth come from immigrant, racial minority and Indigenous backgrounds, often from socially marginalized situations. Many are living in low-income housing and or are attending schools in neighbourhoods with the highest residential crime rates in Metro Vancouver. These programs promote community engagement, prevention and early intervention as the key methods to bring about positive social change.
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The curriculum is based on structured group activities that create a sense of belonging and connection, thus leading to improved school performance, social engagement and community involvement. Early intervention data support the reduction of potential involvement in risky and unhealthy activities among pre-teen boys and girls.
The Boys Who DARE program fills an identified gap for a community-based after school and weekend program for male and LGBTQ+ youth at risk which has been identified by local school teachers, social workers and counsellors.
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