WIITFf FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1988, PAGE 3 John Howard WOWprogrTam for'high risk youths' By Debbie Luchuk Youth between 14 and 16 who are experiencing difficulty socially or academically can access a new summer work orientation- /placement program from the John Howard Society of Durham Region. WOWYor Work Orientation Workshos, is a program that aims to provide a positive summer experience of employ- ment and life skills coaching. Students with vSor attendance records, problemis academically, peer problems or home difficulties, described 'as "high risk" youths, are_ referred by. attendance counisellors or teach- ers at school, probation officers or parents to the programn, according Ch ild abuse protocol released Jby Debbie Luchuk The Violence Preý%ention Coun- cil of Durham protocol for dealing with child abuse was officially reesed June 2. The protocol, a series of steps to take in cases of suspected child abuse, bas taken three years to compose. It will be issued to pofessionals and organizations that work directly with children, such as teachers and social workers.' The Violence Prevention Coun- cil's child abuse protocol has been endorsed by the Children's Aid Society of Durham Region, Dur- ham Regional Police, the Crown Attorney's Office, ail hospitals and both school boards in the region, ail branches of probation and parole, Departmnent of Public Health, Department of Social Services, family counselling and Crossing guards.~. j FROM PAGE 1 and hire guards. "If we can't put a guard there, we can't invite kids to cross," said Brunelle who was unaware of the recommendation. He- agreed with Grylls that one of the problems is an abundance "There is also an apathy towards the job," said Brunelle. "We could raise the pay but I don't know if that would be the answer. People just don't want te A, do that job." The Durham Board of Education's Property and Transportation committee is te deal with the issue at its meeting tonight Wednesday, June 15. Redevelopment... FROM PAGE i downtown developments," said ýî Jonker. Development will take place on both the east and west side of Brock St. S. Keenan said Coscan has also not decided on a definite design to, the units. "We want to discover what people are looking for. There is no' final design yet," he said. J . -. CA- FAM LV ELNES CLN horandors:-etat La .R. SRHlpak,B $0.00.C Ho. Psycie hone:668-- daycare services,, Outreach Abuse Prevention, Ministry of Com- munity and Social Services, and the Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse. These organizations have ensured that their internai policies are consistent with the procedures set out in the Child Abuse Protocol. As wffl, the council has devel- oped a child abuse and awareness and training program that will be implemnented by professionals in their own organizations. Nikita Crook, co-ordinator of the council, said there has been a "fantastic response fromn the ag- encies working with children. There's an initiative and interest from the community." Detective Sergeant Donald Arscott, of the Durham Regional' Police, member of the protocol. committee said, "There's no doubt in nm md that children of Durham will be safer temorrow than they are today (with the implementation of this protocol)." The Violence Prevention Council of Durham Region is a cornmunity network committed to the prevention and treatment of ail forms of abuse against children, aduits and the elderly. For more information on the protocol, the council or to obtain a copy of the protocol, contact the Violence Prevention Council, 1400 Bayly St.,Unit 15A, Pickering, LIW MR2(686-1828). te Sylvia Robillard, coordinator of the program. The program takes on 12 students who participate in work orientation workshops for the first two weeks. A«ccording to Susan Tanner, one of the trainers in the program, the workshops feature resumne writing skills, 'nterview skills, job relations, how te leave a position positively and more te help themn in a job search and on the job. She added that "the programn develops employability, skills, socia-U-ki1ls, develops a support systern and seif-esteeni." Robil- lard said that the program's ultimate goal is to orient the youth te, return to school in the fail wvith renewed self-confidence and to give job sidls for future, job hunting. The students are paid $10 day for workshops and $3.70 (student wage) per hour for their work placement, making up to $800 over the summer. The program is funded by Ernployrnent and Immigration Canada. While on the work placements,' the youths are supervised by the employer, who is in close con tsit. -with the trainers. The trainers are also in contact, with the youth's parentsweekly, according te Steve Edmunds, another train- er. However, the trainers have been running inte difficulty finding employers for the work placement portion of the program in the Whitby area.- Perks for potential-employers include: little paperwork (niostly performd by the John. Howard Socety); wage-free work for the summer rnonths; and possibl1y a reliable part-time person for the fail if the student performs well. A WOW program operatedl out of Pickering last year with great success, according te Edmunds. If a youth ap plying for the program is not accepted or just wants assistance to find a job or job counsellingà , there 'are coun- sellors at the JR Society to assist, according to Katherine Hender- son, employmnent counsellor. Tanner says "We're open te a lot more Participants and employ- ees in Whitby." For -more information,ý cal the John Hloward Society at 579-8482- i n Oshawa or .427-8165 in Ajax. l'air 4*Zc we-e SUMMER m - FEATURING OUR STORE WIDE SUMMER SALE WITH- OUR BEST PRICES 0F THE YEAR Whitby, 507 Brock St. N. (3 blocks N. of Hwy #2) 668-4231 Mon.-Wed. 10-6, Thurs. & Fr1. 10-9 Sat. 10-5:30 Mississauga,4 Home & Design centre, just E. of Winston Churchill Blvd. on Dundas St. 828-1212 Mon.-Fri. 10-9, Bat. 10-6 PM y Mm lumd Àz mw mmq mua ts ;" momiffl