VIRSA, Sikh Alliance against Youth Violence, held another forum on Wednesday, March 29, directed at Indo-Canadian gang violence. In the past year, VIRSA has decided to hold forums aimed at gaining valuable information from the youth on drugs, gang violence, cultural conflict and other issues affecting them. This information will ultimately be used to draw conclusions on how to improve VIRSA’s resources and develop programs to reach our youth more effectively.
“As immigrant parents, once we take the time to listen and understand our children and know who they are, what their needs and inspirations are, we have the opportunity to build healthy relations with them and guide them in making healthy choices,” said Harbans Kandola, President of the VIRSA Board of Directors.
With two successful forums, held at Tamanawis Secondary and Princess Margaret Secondary Schools, where both had over 300 youth in attendance, VIRSA coordinated their efforts along with the local policing agencies, school officials and media to make this a successful attack on gang violence. VIRSA members gave speeches on the violence and how it affects the community, had an impressive video presentation that was compiled of news clips about the numerous gangland executions in the past 15 years and held facilitated discussions with the few hundred high school students, broken into groups of 15-25, with the goal of gaining information on a range of issues that the youth deal with in their everyday lives.
Gurj Gill, VIRSA Mentorship Coordinator, says: “This night gave everyone an opportunity to come together – students, teachers, and volunteers – to discuss the pressing concerns in our community. It empowers us to unite for that moment and find ways to reduce the violence that surrounds us.”
Members of the Sikh community concerned with the escalating level of violence among Indo-Canadian youth, and conscious of the immediate need to address the problem formed VIRSA in December 2002. VIRSA is a community based, non-profit organization that provides information, education, training and support services for members of the Indo-Canadian community in British Columbia. By providing youth with opportunities and promoting family values, VIRSA’s vision is to build a stronger community that will contribute positively to Canadian society.
By: Ranj Dhaliwal
Source: The Voice Online (www.voiceonline.com)
For more info visit: VIRSA Sikh Alliance against Youth Violence (www.virsa.ca)
