Touchstone Family Association
Strengthening Families • Building Community

Touchstone is a non-profit community based social service agency. We have been providing services to Richmond and nearby areas since 1983.

Our services have primarily focused on preserving and enhancing family relationships. Through qualified staff, we offer a wide variety of professional services to the community.

StreetSmarts

Community Assesment and Action Network (CAAN)

StreetSmarts evolved from the Community Assessment and Action Network (CAAN). The CAAN is a working network of government agencies and service providers who work to address issues of gang violence in the city of Richmond. The StreetSmarts Youth Leadership Program was developed by the Richmond CAAN to support youth who are at risk of gang involvement. The objective of the program is to support these at-risk youth to recognize the impact of their current choice of lifestyle and in turn, empower them to make better life choices. This is conducted through a series of weekly workshops with the additional support of one-to-one mentorship. Our approach is to challenge the youth to examine issues such as peer influence and the impact of gang involvement on their lives, including family, school and community. We engage the youth in recreational and educational activities that the youth feel are of significance to them in reducing barriers to positive change.

The program supports youth who:

Have a history of violence, use of force and/or use of weapons
Have shown interest in gang involvement or engage in “gang-like” activities
Have a history or interest in dealing drugs
Could benefit from mentorship and support

Elegibility Criteria:

Youth aged 13-18 (male and female)
Resident of Richmond
Be committed to meeting twice a week, for two hour sessions, for a 12 week period
Have an interest in issues impacting youth in the community of Richmond
Comfortable working with others and independently

Benefits to Participants:

An honorarium for completing the program
Cover travel costs (bus tickets)
Reference to use on resume
Snacks during sessions
One-to-one mentorship

Plus an opportunity to develop the following skills: Leadership skills; problem solving skills; presentation skills; connecting with community; working with community organizations, an opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and a chance to make a difference in your community.

Click here to meet our Counsellors.

For more information about this project please contact Carol Hardie, Richmond CAAN Coordinator.

Generously funded by: