New children, youth empowerment centre
A Change
is coming to Chalkfarm and Godwin Larbi is proud to be part of it. Born
and raised in the four-tower building complex near Jane Street and
Wilson Avenue, the 20-year-old is a program leader with Doorsteps
Neighbourhood Services, which has collaborated with four partners to set
up a children and youth centre.
B The
centre was officially opened last week. “What is happening here today
represents change in a good way,” said Larbi, who will use the money
from this full-time job to enter Ryerson University next year to pursue a teaching career. “Through the programs here, young people have a chance to learn self-discipline and
how to be better in school. I have seen all the negative stuff, but now
we are moving in the right direction and I am so happy to be part of
that process. This is a good day.”
C Fed up with violent crimes, residents made it clear they wanted a facelift for their community that should include a space for children to be engaged in recreation and other after-school activities.
Morris Beckford, the executive director of Doorsteps Neighbourhood
Services said: “Of the nearly 4,000 residents in these four buildings, I
would say that about 40 per cent are kids.” Beckford and his team
equipped the centre with a computer literacy room, reading space, a
community kitchen and a boxing gym and fitness centre.
D “This
is a dream come true,” said broadcaster and former boxer Charles
“Spider” Jones. “It’s fantastic when you could have centres where young
people could go instead of hanging out on the street and being seduced by
crime. The kids need to see options and know that there is another way
through education. They can’t do it on their own when they are at a
young age. They need to have mentors who can instill values
and work ethic and put them on a path to make good choices,” Jones
talks from experience. As a gang member he turned his life around at an
advanced age to fulfill his dream of becoming a broadcaster. “We have to
teach our kids how to set goals and stay on track. We want to teach
them how to create their own opportunity through education and good
mentorship… This centre is crime prevention. I spent seven years in jail
and I know that when you follow that path, you end up behind bars or in
a grave.”
E School
program coordinator, Adam Ali, said the centre is a welcomed addition
to the community. “I am looking forward to making this space a place
where community residents can enhance their health and well-being,” said
Ali, who was raised in the community. “This will ultimately make for a
more vibrant community,
increasing the quality of life. The centre will operate from 3.30 p.m.
to 6.30 p.m. between September and June and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during
the summer. ”
Adjusted to (1)
facelift – nova tvář, lepší vzhled
seduce – svádět
instill – vštípit
vibrant – pulzující, plný života
1) Read the article and match each of the headings to a paragraph.
1 Jones knows a lot about crime
2 Beckford – the director
3 Change is coming to a four-tower building complex
4 Larbi’s opinion
5 Ali thinks the centre will contribute to the happier life of the community
2) Read the article and answer the questions.
1 Who is Godwin Larbi? What does he think?
2 What kind of centre has been opened? Who opened it?
3 Who is Morris Beckford? What does he say?
4 What do you know about Charles “Spider” Jones?
5 What does the school coordinator say?
3) Explain the following words and phrases.
1 children and youth centre
2 pursue a teaching career
3 learn self-discipline
4 after-school activities
5 integrate into mainstream education
4) Answer the following questions.
What are differences between Czech and US children and youth centres?
What are their typical activities? Why are these centres important?
Where do they get money from? What do you know about children and youth
criminality prevention?
Video:
Tips, sources of information:
Source:
(1)
FUNFAIR, Ron. New children, youth empowerment centre. Share News [online]. 2012 [cit. 2015-09-20]. Available at: http://sharenews.com/new-children-and-youth-empowerment-centre-opens/
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