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W ednesdsay May 10, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A3 Police conference stresses anti-violence By H oward M ozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF While this weekend's "Victim-Less" com munity policing conference will, in large part, focus on the dark side of human nature, a spe cial ensemble of talented students will raise their voices to spread a little light. "Dream" consists of five young women from Oakville and Burlington who devote their energies to women's issues and anti-violence campaigns. Together, they employ their uplifting repertoire to both educate and to inspire all those who hear them. "It is our dream to make everyone realize how serious violence is and how to stop it," said Nicole Law, 16, a Dream member and St. Thomas Aquinas student. "We all need to stand up to acts of violence and to think of ways to prevent it. If we all work together, I know this can be achieved. The key to success is believing in yourself and making your dreams come true." Dream will provide a short set at Friday evening's opening of Victim-Less, a night that will include a presentation by Dawna Speers, whose daughter Monica was brutally mur dered in 1991 by an abusive boyfriend. She will present "A Love That Kills," a film docu mentary based on the powerful audio-visual presentation she created for schools. Halton Regional Police are hosting the sem inar in conjunction with CAVEAT (Canadians A gainst Violence Everyw here Advocating its Termination), Halton Rape Crisis Centre, H alton Regional Health Department and the Community Consultation Grade 10 at Burlington Central High School, said singing with Dream allows members to Committees of Halton. The weekend will prove to be a moving and promote serious subjects while never losing powerful one, dealing with a variety of issues sight of having a "blast." "Although all charities are equally impor from which the members of Dream refuse to tant, I enjoy working with child abuse the flinch. "I think it's important for teenagers today to best," she said. "I can relate better to a younger get involved with things they feel passionate audience and vice versa. Singing to kids who about," said Dream singer Melissa Griffin, 17, are just like us makes me feel heard and this is also of St. Thomas Aquinas. "Through Dream especially important in our case." Victim-Less continues Saturday at regional I feel that I have helped to make a difference in bringing awareness to serious issues that affect headquarters. Guest lecturers at the conference people today, which the general public would will cover everything from partner abuse and the changing environment for educators to n't normally be aware of." According to Erin Donati, 17, a Grade 11 organized crime. The event is designed to bring together cit student at St. Thomas Aquinas, the group has sung in support of everything from the Halton izens, police personnel and community stake Rape Crisis Centre and Take Back the Night to holders to focus on the physical, emotional and OTM H and the Child Abuse Survivor economic impact of violence on its victims and society in general. Monument Project. Another highlight will be appearances by "Being a part of this group means so much to me," says Donati. "Not only do I get to do University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law something that I love so much with some of professor Robert Solomon. His lecture, "Legal my closest friends, but it also enables me to Obstacles to Safe Schools," will deal with the authority of educators to develop and imple stand up for something I strongly believe in." Kristen Arthurs, 16, a Grade 11 student at ment safe school policies. Participants at Victim-Less are encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas, explained that the name of their group is very appropriate, since her to call and make reservations early. Contact dream is to touch people's lives through Johanne Cyr-Wright, CAVEAT, at 632-1733. singing and to raise awareness about vital issues. "At the moment our group sings mainly to support the fight against violence," she said. "I do this with all my heart and soul. It is some thing that means very much to me." Jacqueline Matthews, 16, who attends BUSINES Support AND MORE! Solutions PRIVATE MAIL BOXES PACKAGING AND SHIPPING COURIER & MAIL SERVICES BUSINESS CAROS & STAMPS FAX SENDING & RECEIVING SHORT RUN FULL COLOUR PRINTING COMPUTER TIME RENTAL LASER COLOUR COPIES HIGH SPEED B U C K & WHITE COPIES BINDING & LAMINATING Q pe tl G et t o k n o w Your New ONE STOP BUSINESS CENTRE Royal Ford Pla z a 610 Fo rd D r iv e ON L6] 7V7 Tel. (905) 849-4503 f A x : (905) 849-9320 , O a k v il l e , MINOOA Colour Copier Volkswagen. Proud supporter of your disposable income. Scott Graham o f Kids 4 Kids, entertains the children at Pinegrove Public School Photo by Ron Kuzyk Passat GLS Get the solid, gracefully designed, German engineered 2 0 0 0 Passat and have a few bucks left over to pay your mortgage, eat, put clothes on your back. You know the little things in life. Drivers wanted.'^ 1 0 `O ffer applies to a 36-m onth lease for a 2000 Passat G L SA utom atic and includes freight. $2,499 dow n paym ent, $398.95 first m onth's paym ent and refundable security deposit of $450 required at tim e of transaction. P D I, insurance license, and applicable taxes extra. M onthlypaym ents total $14,362.20. Lessee responsiblefor insurance. A t lease end, lessee responsible for $0.10/kmover 60,000 km s., for dam age and excessive w ear. R equires V WC redit Canada, In c. approval and dealer participation. D ealer m ay lease for less. Lease rate is based on an annual interest rate of 6.912% . See dealer for fu ll details and purchase option. O ffer ends June 30, 2000. Supplies are lim ited. C2000 V olksw agen. Passat GLS Leadership project teaches students that life is all about opportunities Karen Robbins SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Sixty-five children running around the gymnasium at Pinegrove Public School on a Friday afternoon have been learning some valuable lessons about leadership, honesty and team work. Scott Graham runs the after-school program Kids4Kids, which costs $92 for a five-week session, at schools around Oakville and Burlington to teach children that they have options in life. O ver seven years ago, Graham came up with the idea for the program when he was working for the Children Assessment and Treatment centre in Burlington. Som e o f the children Graham worked with were being bullied. "I looked into what resources Burlington and Oakville had and they didn't have very many." He continues, "Out of desperation I started this organization." Graham is particularly pleased with his Pinegrove school group, whom he presented an award for their good work. Normally he has groups of around 30; however, this group has 65 children enrolled between the ages o f six and twelve. "If this group w asn't really good and wasn't really focused on wanting to learn how to defend themselves and how to deal with bullies and peer pres sure and anger, it would have never worked. So I give a lot of credit to the kids," he boasts. Graham sessions, which run for two hours, usually begin with a motivation al story with a lesson like not having to do something to prove yourself or not falling for dares. The lesson for the day is then re-enforced through activities and games that the children play followed up by a sing-a-long at the end. The older children help out the younger ones and everyone wants to help out Graham. They carry his equip ment, put away his guitar and arrange chairs. Graham said as the children re enroll in the program, their enthusiasm and leadership qualities become noticeably improved. One of his leaders used to be in his behavioral unit at a school. The child had extreme behavioral problems, such as punching teachers and swearing. Graham asked him to join the group and be a leader and the improvements on his behaviour were astonishing. "He didn't put on the big bravado thing, because he didn't need to, because the kids loved him for who he was," Graham said. "He didn't have to put on the nasty kid routine to get respect." Graham is a firm believer that you don't give up on kids, "You give them opportunities." Graham emphasizes that Kid4Kids is not just for children who are having behavioral problems or being bullied. 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