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8 - The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, July 28,1998 487 Lâturer Ave, 878-2881 Giving wayward youths another chance By KAREN SMITH _____________________________________ The Champion M__________ ___ Apolice-based program that gives youths in trouble with thse law a second chance before they're plagued witha criuninal record ha been aided by a manpower boost in north Hulton. ThIe assigniment of social wodcer Neçta Mehta to Milton and Halton Hilis could mean many more local youtbs will be led on the right path to a crime-free life. "flhc majority of thse ids reully do understand it's an opportu- nity, nota given," she said. The' three-montb program gives youths aged 12 to 17 years a chance to make up for their crimes in lieu of charges, but they must adhere to certain citeria. First, the youngsters have to accept responsibility for their crimes and be forthcoming witb aIl the relevant details, Ms Mehta said. And the youths and the family mut be genuinely willing to actively engage in treatment addressing the issues of concemn to avoid future involvement in the legal proceas. Called Capacity for Hope, the diversion initiative aimed at reducing youth crime started out of the Halton Regional Police station in Burlington in April, 1997. It has since snowballed thmoughout the region. To date, 350 youths have gone through il. The majority have been successful, Ms Mebta said. The procesa starts when an officer investigating a criminal act by a youngster feels that the diversion programn may be more appropriate Uian charges and refers the case to the youth crime office. Together, Ms Mehta and her partner, Det. Constable Bradly Cook, discuas whether the crime - which is usually minor- and thc young suspect appear to be suited for Uic project. If so, Ms Mehta sald, Uic family, is contacted and called in for a meeting. The social workcr explains Uic prograns to Uic family and if the youth shows remorse for ia crime and la comsnitted to changing* is ways, he's asked to sign a three-month contract agreeing to meet speciflc criteria appropriate for Uic situation. 'Il explain to Uiem not to bother to sign the contract unles Uicy're, really serious about following through. I tell Uiem not to waste their time or ours," Ms Mebta said. The youUi may be required to performn community service or undergo counselling to determine the moot of Uic problcm. "We like Uiem to somehow give back what Uicy take away," MsMebta said. Fanssly involvement is important, Ma Mebta said. Many of thc troubled youths come from dysfunctional or broken homes and problema oftcn extend beyond Uic immediate situation. As a result, Ms Mehta said she may refer Uic family to one of a number of social services agencies that can help. The program can also, involve a meeting between Uic offender adthe victim, she said. This can addrcsa the victim' a needa througb providing emnotional closure or restitution, including. an Ipoogy. 0f course, if Uic youUi proceeda to get in trouble wiUi Uic law or breula Uie contract, he's ejected from Uie prograin and is crim- inally charged, s*aWTMs Menta, wbo works out of the Milton police station. Time wili tell if Uic project - bascd on a pilosophy of restor- ina person ruther Uian punishing Uiemn - will make a difference Photo by GRAH-AM PIAINdL Social worker Neeta Mehta helpe'run Capaclty For Hope, a programn almed at glvlng youthe a aecond chance with the law. in reducing youUi crime in norUi Halton, she said. "Wc'll sec in a proven to work. However, diversion isn't appropriate nor is it c ule of yeara."l conidered in cases in wich protecting Uic public is Ue man fac- JDe t. Constable Cook udded that Uic initiative is needcd and bas tor. 'Tammy' charms Mayor Krantz By IRENE GENTLE Thse Champion The 1999 local Eastcr Seuls poster cild made ber debut ut Town council by checking out tIhe view from Uie muyor's chair. Thirteen ycur old Tania Froehlich met with council before Iast week'a meeting to break Uic ice before being officiully introduced by Doug Kocher of Uic Milton Rotary Club as the Easter Seuls' "Tamimy". "Wc'rc very proud of ber being our Tammy inis ycar," s aid Mr. Kocher. Lat ycar, the club raiaed $15,000 for Ester Seuls. Tania, a grade seven student ut Holy Roary Tna School in Milton, suffers from mytonic dystro- phy, an offahoot of muacular dystrophy. Issitially, Tania hud her doubts about tackling Uic rote as Uie face Angie Frochlich. 'l asked her whcn wc werc first approached by Rotary and ahe wasn't sure," she said. Though Tania eventually agreed, Uic hesita- tion reappeared in Uic long minutes waiting for ber tumn to speak to council. "She was nervous whcn ahe firat got here," aaid Ms Froehlich. "She had to wait a long time Ins fact, Tania spent an agonizing bal! bour or v more waiting to make ber pitch to council as Milton's Euster Seuls ambassador. Dresaed in a white sweatshirt with a large Froellch white bow actting off ber black huir, Tania requested Uiat counicil designate March as Easter Seals MonUi. - ee HIT on page 16 Proudly announces the Cmmunity Awards .Nomîrees 'CiiL q he Yea Business of the Year Business Person o the Year <ivic Orgnization of the Year Civic Improveînent Qf the Year Lifehre Achievement Sheflagh Borcsok Royal Bank oflMilton Albert Casson Milton Boy Scouts Milton Machine Shop Ltd. Award Donna Goutter SKD Company Ca5ssfn Classic Studio Inc. Milton Community Resource Centre St. Paul's United Church Jim MtIS yna McKenzie Spokes R' SIopes Old is Beautitul Antiques Milton ir. Merchants Hockey Club Zakes Pharmacy Zak Patel, zak% Pbarmacy *CtetnpW