By Anne McCoy
What a great week! I had so much fun travelling around the District delivering Tim Hortons Smile Cookies to children in the schools this week. Quite possibly, I had the best smelling cruiser in the entire province this week!
I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to Gord McQuarrie and his staff at our Fort Frances Tim Hortons for all their hard work and dedication to this campaign in support of Community Policing Committee Youth Initiatives in our District. A few years ago, I spoke to Gord and asked him why he had such strong commitment to this program....he said "I want to keep the police in the schools - its important". And, you know what? He's right! His comments made me pause and reflect on what's important about community policing and why its important.....
Police being in the schools to support youth is more than just a "walk through" of a school during the school day or delivering an online safety presentation! Police officers working along side of community partners in their daily duties and contribute to the building blocks of healthy development—known as Developmental Assets. These assets are both internal and external that help young children grow up to be healthy, caring, and responsible adults. When I started my career in Nipigon, ON over twenty one years ago, my coach officer - Steve Stresman modelled this very concept - he demonstrated the importance of not only policing my communities but also how to get involved, talk to people and intentionally become a part of my communities.
Police officers provide support to families, school communities and neighbourhoods in a number of ways - whether its through their policing experiences or by sharing their time and lending a kind word of advice. Officers who purposely involve themselves in the lives of youth and communities demonstrate to youth that they are valued by others and in turn youth will value themselves. Often, many youth crave clear expectations and boundaries because they may not have that environment at home. Officers are often viewed as role models and looked upon by youth to demonstrate responsible behaviour, integrity and honesty. Police often work AND volunteer within their communities to provide safe, healthy and structured activities for youth like my coworkers who coach judo, or hockey, or Air Cadets or skating, plus so many more. Many of the officers I've worked with over the years have helped to develop social competencies in youth including teaching peaceful conflict resolution or decision making skills. Others will work with youth to encourage positive self identity to ensure they develop a sense of purpose. There will always be some youth who need more a little more external supports than others and officers sometimes help to fill that space in the best and worst of situations. By being there for our communities, all of these developmental assets help to build protective factors which empower youth when it comes to negative peer pressure and dangerous situations in hopes that kids will grow up to lead healthy and successful lives.
So you see....its more than just about enjoying a delicious chocolate chunk cookie...it's so much more. Thanks Gord.
See you in the schools :)
I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to Gord McQuarrie and his staff at our Fort Frances Tim Hortons for all their hard work and dedication to this campaign in support of Community Policing Committee Youth Initiatives in our District. A few years ago, I spoke to Gord and asked him why he had such strong commitment to this program....he said "I want to keep the police in the schools - its important". And, you know what? He's right! His comments made me pause and reflect on what's important about community policing and why its important.....
Police being in the schools to support youth is more than just a "walk through" of a school during the school day or delivering an online safety presentation! Police officers working along side of community partners in their daily duties and contribute to the building blocks of healthy development—known as Developmental Assets. These assets are both internal and external that help young children grow up to be healthy, caring, and responsible adults. When I started my career in Nipigon, ON over twenty one years ago, my coach officer - Steve Stresman modelled this very concept - he demonstrated the importance of not only policing my communities but also how to get involved, talk to people and intentionally become a part of my communities.
Police officers provide support to families, school communities and neighbourhoods in a number of ways - whether its through their policing experiences or by sharing their time and lending a kind word of advice. Officers who purposely involve themselves in the lives of youth and communities demonstrate to youth that they are valued by others and in turn youth will value themselves. Often, many youth crave clear expectations and boundaries because they may not have that environment at home. Officers are often viewed as role models and looked upon by youth to demonstrate responsible behaviour, integrity and honesty. Police often work AND volunteer within their communities to provide safe, healthy and structured activities for youth like my coworkers who coach judo, or hockey, or Air Cadets or skating, plus so many more. Many of the officers I've worked with over the years have helped to develop social competencies in youth including teaching peaceful conflict resolution or decision making skills. Others will work with youth to encourage positive self identity to ensure they develop a sense of purpose. There will always be some youth who need more a little more external supports than others and officers sometimes help to fill that space in the best and worst of situations. By being there for our communities, all of these developmental assets help to build protective factors which empower youth when it comes to negative peer pressure and dangerous situations in hopes that kids will grow up to lead healthy and successful lives.
So you see....its more than just about enjoying a delicious chocolate chunk cookie...it's so much more. Thanks Gord.
See you in the schools :)
