You always have a choice

The program is called Gangs de choix and it is spearheaded by an interactive DVD. Its main objective is to prevent 11-12 year-olds from doing crime and joining gangs. With the help of school social workers, third cycle elementary students learn through activities how to make enlightened choices based on their needs. Much like the “choose your own adventure” game, children follow the journey of three characters which face different situations where making bad decisions could lead to a harmful outcome, like joining a gang. With an urban music backdrop, Alexis, Maria and James go through multiple daily elementary student scenarios which resemble Degrassi or Watatatow episodes, but with less dramatic intensity.

On June 2, Cardinal-Léger School – one of the pilot school for the Gangs de choix program - welcomed all the different partners who participated in the project, as well as a few reporters. This particular program involves four different players: the Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation et des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec (OCCOPPQ), the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB), the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal and the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire.

Educational psychologist at the CSMB Julie Morin is also project coordinator for the OCCOPPQ and played a significant role in the conception and development of the Gangs de choix program. “We started off by realizing that there weren’t much if any tool available to help prevent sixth grade students from joining gangs,” she said. “From there, we were looking for the most pertinent and most efficient way to get the children’s attention because we need something appealing if we want them to pay attention.” Since video games and computers are amongst 11-12 year-olds main hobbies, the idea of an interactive DVD seemed like a good one. CSMB president Diane Lamarche-Venne also thinks it’s a good way to reach those children. “It’s fun, it’s like a game for them. It’s already quite difficult to make them talk, so we first need to attract them in order for our message to go through.”

The group activities are not an excuse to moralize the child, but to provide him with the necessary tools so that he realizes the importance of making enlightened choices. “We always come back to the principle where one needs to act up based on its needs,” explained Mrs. Morin.

Even if the program’s objective is to prevent youth form joining gangs, the word itself is not even use on the DVD or during the presentations. “It could have an undesired effect on some kids. Anyway, most of them associate Gangs de choix with a group of good friends not street gangs,” she specified. While some of them are more familiar with street gangs and are able to make the link, Mrs. Lamarche-Venne thinks they don’t necessarily understand what it means. “At that age, they don’t really see the consequences. They’re too young to really take it seriously.”

So, it’s not surprising to learn that some students will purposely make the wrong choices on the DVD, like taking part in a fight instead of playing basketball with a friend. For Julie Morin, the important thing is to make them realize until what extent they’re able to go before facing serious irreversible consequences. The president of the CSMB who is also school commissioner for the North section of St. Laurent thinks it’s important to explain why the good choice is the right one and not simply identify the good from the bad. “We can’t underestimate the children’s awareness of right and wrong, because they already know that, but in certain case kids see some kind of glory in doing the wrong thing and in the long run it becomes the normality. This is the most troubling thing.”

“We’re not saying our program will put a stop to young children joining street gangs, but it’s a first step in the right direction, said Mrs. Morin. Right now, we’re working on an English version of the program and we’re thinking of ways to involve parents.” This particular point is very important for Mrs. Lamarche-Venne who believes that the parents’ presence and the necessity for them to take their responsibilities is crucial if we hope to make progress and guarantee and better future for our children.

(Photo: Courtesy)