Inreach is a program that is run out of the Waterloo Region and was created after the shooting of Jane Creba, a fifteen year old who was caught in between two gangs in Toronto. It is a gang prevention program that provides different kinds of support depending on what is most necessary; this may include mental health issues, dealing with substance use, helping youth with education or possibly family issues (Inreach, 2013).
The main goals of Inreach are to assist youth in leaving gangs as well as prevent more youth from getting involved. To do so there is a phase system put in place. First being “community needs assessment”, second, “community treatment” and the third, “community mobilization” (Inreach, 2013). Up until now, Inreach has been receiving temporary funding from the region and has been guaranteed until the end of December; however, if they cannot find the support and funding from elsewhere the program will be shut down.
The government needs to know that programs like this deserve their funding because it works. It gives youth opportunities they may not otherwise get, and keeps them as well as the community safer. The futures of youth can depend greatly on having programs like Inreach available.
