Crossroads Youth Academy

Providing youth with the skills to be a positive force in the community

Since 2003, Crossroads Youth Academy has delivered a multi session program through community crime prevention activities targeted at Secondary School aged youth. Internationally recognized as the winner of the 2005 Best Community Crime Prevention Program (International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners) Crossroads Youth Academy motivates and empowers youth to avoid criminal activities, become informed about being good citizens and gives them the knowledge to make healthy decisions when they find themselves at one of life’s Crossroad.

Crossroads Youth Academy is delivered in two phases

Designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to stay safe and avoid victimization, 6 core sessions and 2 compulsory sessions of in school training and educational presentations are delivered by expert trainers from Safe City Mississauga, Peel Regional Police, Bank of Canada and Peel Paramedics Association.

1. Choices (Part One) – The basics of crime prevention and personal safety
2. Choices (Part Two) – Staying safe and avoiding trouble including topics such as gangs and street racing
3. Internet Safety and Cyberbullying
4. Drug Education
5. Counterfeit Detection and Fraud
6. Healthy Relationships – Dating abuse and domestic abuse
7. Optional CPR Training
8. Optional Personal Safety and Self Defence

Following the educational presentations, participants select one of the following Service Phase options:

1. Educational Announcements – To share with their school community over their PA system
2. Educational Posters – Focusing on a topic presented during the Academy Phase sessions
3. Students pick a creative project of their own – Including game boards, presentations, skits, etc.

Taking on this Ambassador role allows these participants to educate and inform others about crime prevention and safety techniques learned while in the Academy Phase not only within their school, but also in the community. Service Phase projects are displayed on the Safe City Mississauga website and throughout the Mississauga community.

Testimonials

"It is a wonderful program on many fronts. The material covered and the knowledge and experience they gain is extremely valuable for the students, school community and the greater community." – Suzann Verhoeven, Father Michael Goetz Secondary School Teacher

“This program helps all students, the doers and the observers, to see that everyone is responsible for each other and to keep each other safe! Knowing the facts, the consequences and the opportunities for change will contribute to less crime, more involvement and greater accountability. We need this for our youth of today who think one person can’t make a difference. One person can!” – Sue Dunn-Eckstein, St. Joan of Arc Catholic School Teacher

"The program continues to enable our students to learn real life skills that make them more aware of how to be active and safe members of their community. The information and resources they are presented with are invaluable. The program reinforces common sense with informed members of society. Students really enjoy the program!"   - Cynthia Souter,  West Credit Secondary School Teacher

Click on the above images to download brochure and information package for complete details

Click here to download application form

Return application to: crossroads@safecitymississauga.on.ca or fax to: 905-615-4111

Note: The information in these pie charts is preliminary research conducted in the 2009 – 2010 school year

Prevention programs involving youth can:

• Welcome youth as active partners in efforts to improve the community
• Promote safer schools
• Build channels of communication between youth and community institutions
• Teach youth the skills needed to survive and succeed in the world

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Links of Interest

* Peel Crime Stoppers Program is anonymous

Program Partners

To make a donation to the Crossroads Youth Academy program please click here: