RCMP Canada: Deal.org

Deal.org, RCMP
Canada

The only project of its kind in Canada, deal.org is a by-youth for-youth program that provides a group of 14 young people with a unique employment opportunity - plus the chance to spearhead a national program.

Working in close partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) under the National Youth Strategy, team members have a hand in every aspect of the deal.org program – from developing its mission and goals to implementing projects, managing the Web site, and doing the graphic design work.
 
The deal.org program uses Crime Prevention Through Social Development principals to provide information, tools and opportunities for young people who want to acquire the knowledge and skills to address issues of interest or concern.  The site is made up of several different components, including a Webzine (on-line magazine), the Knowzone, and the Toolbox. While the site is primarily targeted to teens from 12 to 19 years old, it also provides ample material for younger kids, parents, teachers and, of course, police officers.

The monthly Webzine is written by youth who provide information about topical issues and encourage others to reflect on those issues, make healthy life choices and take positive action.  This online magazine also serves as a tool for constructive interaction with police officers who can use deal.org to complement and support their own activities with youth.

In its Knowzone section, deal.org aims to reduce crime and victimization through education.  Knowzone fact sheets are written in easy to understand language, with topics ranging from drugs and bullying to mental health.

In consultation with police officers and subject-matter experts, the Toolbox section provides presentations, activities and other resources for police officers and others to use in order to engage and interact with youth on specific awareness topics.

The deal.org program is currently working to make itself more relevant and responsive to local community needs by testing its pilot project, the Deal Local Network (DLN) across Canada. The DLN will allow youth teams at the local level, with the help of adult advisors, to manage a localized version of the deal.org website while remaining connected to the larger deal.org network. The autonomy of this arrangement will ensure that deal.org is relevant to the local community by encouraging local ownership and partnerships, and by promoting local issues, services and resources.

Both the deal.org website and program encourage young people to take an active role in prevention and problem-solving within their schools and communities.  Police officers and other adults are invited as coaches, mentors and advisors to play an active role in supporting the activities of youth.


Article submitted by the RCMP, October 2004