Latest news with #atRiskYouth
CTV News
09-07-2025
- CTV News
‘We want answers': Alberta mom remembers 16-year-old daughter found dead in abandoned vehicle
Jordyn Dines is seen in an undated photo. The 16-year-old girl was found dead in an abandoned vehicle in Glenwood, Alta., on July 5, 2025. (Supplied) Jody Graves is remembering her 16-year-old daughter Jordyn Dines as a loving, kind, smart and funny kid. On Saturday, Dines was found dead in a vehicle about one-and-a-half kilometres west of the southern Alberta village of Glenwood. 'Jordyn was loved by everyone who knew her, but no one loved her more than her family,' her mom said in a statement to CTV News. 'She almost always had a smile and a joke to tell.' According to RCMP, Dines had been missing since July 2, and was considered an extremely at-risk youth. 'She wasn't without her struggles like most teenagers, but she never let that stop her from reaching for the stars,' said Graves. 'She wanted to go to school to work with at-risk youth and kids who struggled like her.' Alberta teen found dead in abandoned vehicle (Supplied) Her family is remembering her for her kindness and compassion. 'A smile and laugh that could brighten even the darkest of rooms,' said Graves. 'We are devastated, and we want answers. She deserves so much more than this.' Alberta teen found dead in abandoned vehicle (Supplied) Her death is considered suspicious and is currently being investigated by the RCMP's serious crimes branch.
CBC
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Legacy of love: Father Andre Poilievre remembered as educator, counsellor, youth advocate
On the street, he was known simply as Father Andre. Andre Poilievre, who spent his career working with at-risk youth and gang members, died earlier this week, his family confirmed. He was 88. Poilievre didn't look like a priest, favouring ball caps, sweaters and windbreakers to cassocks and collars. He drove a half-ton, and most days could be seen rolling through a Tim Hortons drive-thru with a teen in tow on the way to an appointment. For those who encountered the rangy chaplain, his faith was defined by action. "Father Andre, he was always the true definition of an advocate," EGADZ executive director Don Meikle said. "He didn't have a problem with bucking the system.… A lot of people don't like going against the police, a lot of people are scared to go against the system. He didn't care." From Prud'homme to prison Andre Poilievre was born in Prud'homme, a small town east of Saskatoon, on Aug. 12, 1936. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan. The ceremony included a biography. "He was ordained as a Catholic priest. While pursuing further education as an adult, he traveled to more than 25 countries to learn from groups that help marginalized communities. In Saskatoon, Father Poilièvre worked directly with at-risk youth and active gang members through his roles as a priest, chaplain, and teacher. His experiences as chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre helped inspire his life's work," it said "In 2002, Father Poilièvre was approached by two young men seeking assistance in leaving the gang life. Together, the three of them founded STR8 UP. The program offers counselling, education, and support to people who have lived criminal lifestyles, helping them make positive changes in their lives." Senator Tracy Muggli was at that ceremony and recalls Poilievre saying he'd be more comfortable speaking to inmates at the Saskatoon jail than a convocation ceremony. "You could hear a pin drop when he spoke, because he spoke as a true servant," she said. "That's what he was. He was a true servant to God." Muggli crossed paths with Poilievre when she was the Saskatchewan government's director of mental health and addiction services. She remembers his compassion for people trying to leave the gang lifestyle. "It's incredible that a man who had such a heart and experienced so much love for humanity was able to create an organization to help so many people." STR8 UP Stan Tu'Inukafe helped create STR8 UP with Poilievre. They met two decades ago when Tu'Inukafe was working with the John Howard Society and started hearing about a priest working with gang members. They got together for coffee and realized they were on the same path. "My first impression was, you know, here's an individual that is like my grandpa," Tu'Inukafe said. "Someone that would sit down with you, talk with you with no judgment, that cared for you, was thoughtful. Wanted the best for you." Tu'Inukafe said Poilievre's legacy at STR8 UP is about giving voice to people who had lost their voices. "He humanized them." Robert Henry is an associate professor in the department of Indigenous studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Henry studies justice issues, including the gang lifestyle in the city and province. He said Poilievre initially balked at working with him — "he just stated that he didn't trust researchers" — but that they eventually developed a relationship. Poilievre, he said, was all about building relationships, especially with young men and women struggling with the street lifestyle. "It really resonated with a lot of the members, even if they were in and out and ended up going back into the street. He would never leave them there," he said.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legacy of love: Father Andre Poilievre remembered as educator, counsellor, youth advocate
On the street, he was known simply as Father Andre. Andre Poilievre, who spent his career working with at-risk youth and gang members, died earlier this week, his family confirmed. He was 88. Poilievre didn't look like a priest, favouring ball caps, sweaters and windbreakers to cassocks and collars. He drove a half-ton, and most days could be seen rolling through a Tim Hortons drive-thru with a teen in tow on the way to an appointment. For those who encountered the rangy chaplain, his faith was defined by action. "Father Andre, he was always the true definition of an advocate," EGADZ executive director Don Meikle said. "He didn't have a problem with bucking the system.… A lot of people don't like going against the police, a lot of people are scared to go against the system. He didn't care." From Prud'homme to prison Andre Poilievre was born in Prud'homme, a small town east of Saskatoon, on Aug. 12, 1936. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan. The ceremony included a biography. "He was ordained as a Catholic priest. While pursuing further education as an adult, he traveled to more than 25 countries to learn from groups that help marginalized communities. In Saskatoon, Father Poilièvre worked directly with at-risk youth and active gang members through his roles as a priest, chaplain, and teacher. His experiences as chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre helped inspire his life's work," it said "In 2002, Father Poilièvre was approached by two young men seeking assistance in leaving the gang life. Together, the three of them founded STR8 UP. The program offers counselling, education, and support to people who have lived criminal lifestyles, helping them make positive changes in their lives." Senator Tracy Muggli was at that ceremony and recalls Poilievre saying he'd be more comfortable speaking to inmates at the Saskatoon jail than a convocation ceremony. "You could hear a pin drop when he spoke, because he spoke as a true servant," she said. "That's what he was. He was a true servant to God." Muggli crossed paths with Poilievre when she was the Saskatchewan government's director of mental health and addiction services. She remembers his compassion for people trying to leave the gang lifestyle. "It's incredible that a man who had such a heart and experienced so much love for humanity was able to create an organization to help so many people." STR8 UP Stan Tu'Inukafe helped create STR8 UP with Poilievre. They met two decades ago when Tu'Inukafe was working with the John Howard Society and started hearing about a priest working with gang members. They got together for coffee and realized they were on the same path. "My first impression was, you know, here's an individual that is like my grandpa," Tu'Inukafe said. "Someone that would sit down with you, talk with you with no judgment, that cared for you, was thoughtful. Wanted the best for you." Tu'Inukafe said Poilievre's legacy at STR8 UP is about giving voice to people who had lost their voices. "He humanized them." Robert Henry is an associate professor in the department of Indigenous studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Henry studies justice issues, including the gang lifestyle in the city and province. He said Poilievre initially balked at working with him — "he just stated that he didn't trust researchers" — but that they eventually developed a relationship. Poilievre, he said, was all about building relationships, especially with young men and women struggling with the street lifestyle. "It really resonated with a lot of the members, even if they were in and out and ended up going back into the street. He would never leave them there," he said. "So that was always there, that sort of relentless love and hope that he was always trying to give individuals."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legacy of love: Father Andre Poilievre remembered as educator, counsellor, youth advocate
On the street, he was known simply as Father Andre. Andre Poilievre, who spent his career working with at-risk youth and gang members, died earlier this week, his family confirmed. He was 88. Poilievre didn't look like a priest, favouring ball caps, sweaters and windbreakers to cassocks and collars. He drove a half-ton, and most days could be seen rolling through a Tim Hortons drive-thru with a teen in tow on the way to an appointment. For those who encountered the rangy chaplain, his faith was defined by action. "Father Andre, he was always the true definition of an advocate," EGADZ executive director Don Meikle said. "He didn't have a problem with bucking the system.… A lot of people don't like going against the police, a lot of people are scared to go against the system. He didn't care." From Prud'homme to prison Andre Poilievre was born in Prud'homme, a small town east of Saskatoon, on Aug. 12, 1936. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan. The ceremony included a biography. "He was ordained as a Catholic priest. While pursuing further education as an adult, he traveled to more than 25 countries to learn from groups that help marginalized communities. In Saskatoon, Father Poilièvre worked directly with at-risk youth and active gang members through his roles as a priest, chaplain, and teacher. His experiences as chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre helped inspire his life's work," it said "In 2002, Father Poilièvre was approached by two young men seeking assistance in leaving the gang life. Together, the three of them founded STR8 UP. The program offers counselling, education, and support to people who have lived criminal lifestyles, helping them make positive changes in their lives." Senator Tracy Muggli was at that ceremony and recalls Poilievre saying he'd be more comfortable speaking to inmates at the Saskatoon jail than a convocation ceremony. "You could hear a pin drop when he spoke, because he spoke as a true servant," she said. "That's what he was. He was a true servant to God." Muggli crossed paths with Poilievre when she was the Saskatchewan government's director of mental health and addiction services. She remembers his compassion for people trying to leave the gang lifestyle. "It's incredible that a man who had such a heart and experienced so much love for humanity was able to create an organization to help so many people." STR8 UP Stan Tu'Inukafe helped create STR8 UP with Poilievre. They met two decades ago when Tu'Inukafe was working with the John Howard Society and started hearing about a priest working with gang members. They got together for coffee and realized they were on the same path. "My first impression was, you know, here's an individual that is like my grandpa," Tu'Inukafe said. "Someone that would sit down with you, talk with you with no judgment, that cared for you, was thoughtful. Wanted the best for you." Tu'Inukafe said Poilievre's legacy at STR8 UP is about giving voice to people who had lost their voices. "He humanized them." Robert Henry is an associate professor in the department of Indigenous studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Henry studies justice issues, including the gang lifestyle in the city and province. He said Poilievre initially balked at working with him — "he just stated that he didn't trust researchers" — but that they eventually developed a relationship. Poilievre, he said, was all about building relationships, especially with young men and women struggling with the street lifestyle. "It really resonated with a lot of the members, even if they were in and out and ended up going back into the street. He would never leave them there," he said. "So that was always there, that sort of relentless love and hope that he was always trying to give individuals."
CBS News
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Miami Job Corps site shuts down amid federal cuts, students and staff left in limbo
The Miami Job Corps Center, a decades-old program that has served hundreds of at-risk students annually, is among 99 sites nationwide being shut down by the U.S. Department of Labor due to budget constraints. On Monday evening, the department announced that the Job Corps program, which has operated since 1964, is being "paused" as part of a nationwide closure. But in an email to Adams and Associates, the contractor that operates the Miami site, the Department of Labor ordered an immediate halt to all operations, citing termination "completely for the government's convenience." Students sent home, futures uncertain The decision means nearly 300 students at the Miami center must leave the program by the end of the week, with complete closure scheduled by June 30. Many students, who are between the ages of 16 and 24, are at risk of losing housing, education, and career training. "People came here to put their lives together, people came here to find their purpose and now that's kind of being stripped away from them," said Jaliyah Cohen, a student from Palm Bay. Bernard Johnson, Miami Center Director, said the closure halts critical progress for many disadvantaged youth. "We offer technical training, we offer college classes. We offer them the ability to get their high school diploma if they wasn't able to achieve that," Johnson said. "Now they're not gonna have that chance to move forward with careers they wanted to." Impact extends beyond students In addition to the students, 115 staff members will also lose their jobs. That includes Victor Covington III, a former student who became an employee. "It's a sucky situation for us all because just not for the students but also it's been staff here that's been here for 15, 20, 25 years and now we don't know where our future is heading now," he said. Marcia Christian, a student from Fort Lauderdale, said the program has provided both stability and opportunity. "Job Corps has saved me with a place to live and like a trade," she said. Funding deficits and political response The Department of Labor's decision aligns with the Biden Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget. According to the department, the program operated at a $140 million deficit in 2024 and was projected to face a $213 million shortfall this year. Since its inception, more than 2 million students have participated in Job Corps nationwide. Students say the investment in their futures is worth preserving. "I definitely believe I've found my purpose for sure," Cohen said. "Because when I was home I was just staying in the house really sad, getting into situations I shouldn't have been into, and when I got here I just—I found a reason to exist again." As of this reporting, the Department of Labor has not responded to requests for comment. U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said she plans to testify before the Education Committee this week in an effort to save the Job Corps program. The following is a statement from Wilson: My name is Frederica PREVENTION WILSON and I have been an ardent supporter of JOB CORPS CENTERS since their founding, because JOB Corps delivers LIFE CHANGING PREVENTION ! Now, the Trump Administration is closing Job Corps Centers nationwide. Job Corps centers have saved the lives of juveniles and adolescents for generations. These centers serve as great PREVENTION TOOLS especially for the loss and left out troubled young adolescent. PREVENTION which is needed. PREVENTION which has proved that it works, and that it changes lives. So With the closure of JOB COPRS let us prepare to expand the bed count in private prisons. Let the JUSTICE SYSTEM prepare to deal with increased criminal activities in our communities perpetuated by youth. Let the mortuaries plan to expand the tombstones in cemeteries because people will die and it might be you or a member of your family. WAKE UP AMERICA. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF PREVENTION AND HOW IT KEEPS OUR FAMILIES SAFE ! CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN NOW AND DEMAND "HANDS OFF JOB CORPS"!
