Stephanie O'Hanley
It all started in January 2007 when a 15-year-old boy was murdered in the alley behind Jill Prescesky's house in NDG's St-Raymond neighbourhood. "When that kid got shot, that was the last straw for me," says Prescesky. "It was so close to home. My son knew him, other kids knew him... Something had to be done. It's just a broken record around here - kids fall through the cracks."
"I was a stay-at-home mom for five years," she continues. "I got to know a lot of the youth in this neighbourhood. I watched some of them end up in jail. In the system there is no support. Our academic system is failing them big time." Prescesky asserts that, to make positive life choices, the kids need a voice and guidance. Resources and holistic support are also key.
Prescesky says when she investigated available services for youth, she "saw a big need for more collaboration of all the resources with youth in their mandate."
Her efforts snowballed into Project Media, a federally funded pre-employability program for NDG youths who haven't finished high school. Since April, six participants - five males and one female ranging in age from 16 to 27 - have been paid to participate in a five-month grassroots project that includes learning computer, radio and film documentary skills, but also leadership skills, teamwork, communication skills and confidence.
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