Local MLA Singh encourages Surrey parents to attend upcoming session
SURREY – New Democrat MLA Rachna Singh is encouraging parents in Surrey to attend an upcoming training session as part of a new provincial school-based gang prevention program.
“Guns and gangs have harmed far too many people in B.C., and our government is fighting back,” said the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. “These sessions offer parents critically important information about gangs and the violence they cause – and how to keep their children safe.”
Singh said Surrey is one of 12 B.C. communities receiving training opportunities and a variety of intensive supports targeting students, parents, educators, law enforcement, and local partners through the $1.12 million B.C. Government program, launched March 12 as part of the Ministry of Education’s ERASE (Expect Respect and a Safe Education) strategy.
The upcoming parent education session in Surrey will be offered Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Resource Education Centre Building, room 304, 14123 – 92nd Avenue.
Parents will leave with a greater understanding of what they can do to prevent their child from getting involved in gang activity. Topics will include:
- an overview of the current B.C. gang landscape;
- information on how gang members are recruiting; and,
- what attracts children and youth to the gang lifestyle.
Presenters will also discuss what gang membership entails and dispel some of the myths and realities of gang membership, as well as offer warning signs and steps to take if you think your child has gotten involved in gang activity.
Theresa Campbell, president, Safer Schools Together:
“Education is a powerful tool that can help parents be able to identify early warning signs that their children are getting on the pathway to gang activity. These sessions will provide parents with practical and beneficial training that will support them to know what to do if faced with this circumstance that’s unfortunately affecting too many youth and their families in B.C. today.”
Quick Facts:
- The new ERASE school-based gang prevention program is funded through $1.12 million announced in July 2018 by Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
- Minister of Education Rob Fleming announced in March 2019 that Surrey is one of 12 priority communities identified by police and safety experts as those that could benefit from additional gang prevention support. Other communities include Abbotsford, Burnaby, Delta, Kamloops, Kelowna, Langley, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria and Williams Lake.
- The provincial ERASE strategy offers services and resources to foster school connectedness, address bullying, and prevent violence in B.C. schools, and provides support to school districts during critical incidents.
- During the 2018-19 school year, ERASE was expanded to be a more comprehensive resource, and will also focus on gang prevention, mental health and wellness, substance use, social media, and sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The Surrey session is being provided by Safer Schools Together, the Ministry of Education’s service-delivery partner for ERASE.
Learn More:
For more information on the Surrey session and to RSVP, please visit: https://surreydpac.ca/
For more information on the upcoming ERASE school-based gang prevention program education session for parents, email: info@saferschoolstogether.com.