The team, in this instance are all members of the Ontario Provincial Police Caledon detachment. In August of 2003 they launched the Youth Leadership Program for 14 and 15-year old high school students in partnership with the local Caribbean and Asian communities. Designed to break down stereotypes between youth and police the program teaches leadership skills through four team challenges.
Each day the two teams were tasked with a leadership skill and a project to demonstrate that skill.
Day one's leadership theme was Initiative where the youths were required to hand deliver and explain the detachment's newsletter to local businesses demonstrating self-confidence and communication skills. Before the day ended the teams assembled trays of lasagna in preparation for the next day's activity.
The theme of day two was Adaptability. The students prepared and served over 300 meals at a local homeless shelter, including set-up and clean-up of the facility.
On day three the theme was Perseverance. The students learned how to use
landscape tools then built a Sensory Garden complete with fishponds, stone
pathways and raised gardens. The garden was built to support a local three-year
old boy who had cancer and had lost his eyesight. The students agreed that they
had never worked harder - over half of them had never used a shovel! But they
were proud of their accomplishments and had the chance to meet the boy the
garden was dedicated to.
The last leadership theme was Organization where the students cleaned,
folded, priced and sold clothes at a local thrift shop. The day also included
cleaning the shop and wallpapering a bathroom.
Each day provided the students with situations and opportunities to learn new skills they would not normally have experienced. Six of the 12 students have volunteered to return as leadership mentors and new partnerships have been forged with the Muslim and Sikh communities.
This endeavour was engineered and co-ordinated by six officers under the guidance of their Sergeant. The officers used their policing and leadership skills to motivate the youths, giving them a positive influence and expanding the role of the police in the community they serve.
Please congratulate Sgt. Ron Gignac, Sergeant Alison Jevons, Constable Tracy Adams, Constable Linda Kennedy, Detective Constable Gary Wright and Constable Dave Service - this year's recipients of the Team Endeavours award.
|
|
