Overview

Background

inREACH offers a comprehensive strategy to assist youth currently involved, associated with or thinking about joining a gang by providing support in the areas of mental health, substance use, education, employment, and family support. For more information click here.

Funded in 2009 by the National Crime Prevention Strategy($3.8 million), this collaborative street gang prevention project  is based on the Spergel model and involves several community partners.

What is a street gang?

A street gang consists of a group of three or more persons formally or informally organized, having a common name or identifying sign or symbol, forming an alliance for a common criminal purpose. These members individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in a pattern of criminal behavior, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the community.

For more Facts about Street Gangs  click here .

Screening/Intake

The design ensures that all potential participants follow a consistent process to determine that the right candidates are chosen for the program while providing a structure that allows for relationship building to occur throughout the process. The Community Treatment Team (CTT) will acquire the necessary information to determine eligibility, to help collaboratively set treatment goals with the youth and to create the best treatment plan to actualize the youth’s set goals. The intake process will collect baseline information and engage in assessment in the following areas:

• Contact and Demographic Information
• Educational History
• Employment History
• Physical and Emotional Health Status
• Personal and Family History
• Substance Use History and Status
• Criminal History and Status
• Community Involvement
• Assessment of Risk Factors
• Program Suitability and Acceptance
• Plan of Action

Eligibility

 inREACH helps youth who are actively involved, associated with or may be thinking about joining a gang, who are:

• between the ages of 13-24
• in school or out of school
• living in Waterloo Region
• looking to make a change, but need some support
• in need of someone to talk to

Referrals

Referrals can be made by youth themselves, parents, agencies, schools, or police at any time. To see our latest call for referral  click here