One of the parents in a meeting with BC's Health Minister left with some hope help is coming for kids dealing with mental health issues. However, she says any solution is a long way off. Kelly Bradley says over the short term parents will be left to deal with kids in crisis with no help from hospitals. Bradley says, for parents, it is not … [Read more...]
Forfeited vehicles to be used to steer youth away from gang lifestyle
March 30, 2013 by
BC's civil forfeiture program is releasing two vehicles formerly used by gangs and in the drug-trade -- for community use. Vehicles once involved in gang related lifestyles will now be used specifically to fight the kind of dirty work they used to do. Sergeant Lindsey Houghton - with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. "In this case we're … [Read more...]
04/19/2013 – Vancouver Chamber Choir – Youth & Music
March 24, 2013 by
The Vancouver Chamber Choir gives outstanding support to the growth and development of talented young musicians through our Young Composers Program. A major component of the program is this biennial Youth & Music concert with music by and about youth, performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and conductor Jon Washburn (featuring Stephen Smith … [Read more...]
Youth worker jailed for abusing boy
March 6, 2013 by
A former youth worker has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for abusing a 15 year old boy in December of 2010. Caitlin Hooper was 22-years old in 2010 when she abused the 15-year old boy. She's been found guilty of sexual touching and invitation to sexual touching. That happened in October of last year. She claims she believed the boy was 17 … [Read more...]
Youth taken to hospital after party bus checked in Port Moody
February 23, 2013 by
Port Moody Police say a youth was taken to hospital after a party bus was checked last night. They say the youth had a dangerously high level of intoxication. Alcohol was found This comes after 16 year old Ernest Azoadam died one week ago after being on a party bus in Surrey. Mounties are investigating that incident to find out whether any laws … [Read more...]
UPDATES:Child and Youth rep hammers government over taser case
February 7, 2013 by
BC's Child and Youth representative has released a scathing report on the life of an 11-year old boy who was tasered by police in 2011. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafonde says the Ministry of Children and Family Development made serious errors that left the child subject to abuse and neglect, both in his birth home and subsequent residential placements. The … [Read more...]
Children and youth representative says BC government spends less on mental health programs than it claims
October 20, 2012 by
BC's Representative for Children and Youth is disputing figures from the provincial government -- over the amount of money spent on mental health programs. The minister responsible -- Stephanie Cadieux -- claims $ 94 million are spent each year to address concerns. But Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond isn't buying that number. "I think they spend closer … [Read more...]
Important numbers and contacts for youth in distress and parents
October 12, 2012 by
* 1 800 SUICIDE (1 800 784-2433) * Youth in BC: 1 866 661-3311 (toll-Free). Youth in BC is an online crisis service, where you can chat 1-on-1 with a trained volunteer 24 hours a day. * Aboriginal People Crisis Line: 1 800 588-8717 * Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1 877 209-1266 * Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A free 24 hour hotline in Canada or … [Read more...]
Child and Youth rep issues annual report
September 26, 2012 by
Close to 14-thousand BC children are still living without their parents. The annual report from Child and Youth advocate Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond shows more than 55 per cent of those kids are aboriginal, even though only eight per cent of the total population is first nations. That means one in 16 aboriginal children are in care compared to … [Read more...]
Youth hockey rioter avoids jail time
August 31, 2012 by
A 17-year-old has avoided jail time, after breaking into London Drugs during the Stanley Cup riot in Vancouver and stealing cigarettes and cosmetics. The Burnaby teen, who pleaded guilty in May, has been sentenced to 18 months of probation, under what's called an intensive support and supervision order. Under it, the young person must complete 120 … [Read more...]
