Build Strong Connections

Empower yourself with knowledge about current youth issues

Young people have a hard time talking to their parents about tough topics. We encourage you to learn more about current issues so you can start the conversation to strengthen connections and reduce risk.

Start the Conversation

Spend quality time with your young person

Learn more about your child's interests and build meaningful connections. We know that youth who lack attachment to positive adult role models are more vulnerable for attaching to negative peer groups. 

Build Strong Connections

Encourage a strong connection to school

A lack of attachment to school and academic success is a significant risk factor for youth gang involvement. Learn more about your child's interests in school and encourage pro-social activities such as sports and clubs.

Build Strong Connections

Encourage participation in positive social activities after school 

We know that youth who lack access to pro-social activities and positive role models during the critical after school hours of 3PM to 6PM are more vulnerable for negative behaviour including gang recruitment.  Pro-social activity can include sport programs, clubs, and volunteering.

Check out Programs and Resources

Learn more about how your youth uses social media

Understand common trends and slang that could indicate risk-taking behaviour. Social media can be used to recruit young people into gangs and promote myths about the gang lifestyle. Create safe spaces to talk about risks and seek professional resources when needed.

Gangs use of social media

Know your child's friends and their families

Youth are driven by the desire to be accepted among their peers and establish an identity for themselves among their peers. We know that negative peer groups and family members who have gang ties strongly influence a youth's participation in gangs.

Learn about risk factors

Foster open and honest communication

Parent-child conflict is one of the most common risk factors identified in high-risk cases of the Children and Youth At-Risk Table (CHART). As such, we know that building strong relationships with your child is an important part of reducing their risk especially when it comes to approaching difficult topics.

Youth Truth

Talk about the real consequences and dangers of gang involvement

A child from any race, socio-economic status, or neighbourhood may be recruited into gangs or become the victim of gang violence. Because media may glorify gang life through music, video games, and movies, it is important to access professional resources that can help guide your conversations.

Dangers of gang involvement

Identify risk factors

If your child is presenting risk factors, the Surrey Anti-Gang Family Empowerment (SAFE) Program is here to help. Contact us to learn more about available services for your child and family.

Risk Factors and Warning Signgs

Build Strong Connections

Empower yourself with knowledge about current youth issues

Spend quality time with your young person

Encourage a strong connection to school

Encourage participation in positive social activities after school

Learn more about how your youth uses social media

Know your child's friends and their families

Foster open and honest communication

Talk about the real consequences and dangers of gang involvement

Identify risk factors

Empower yourself with knowledge about current youth issues

Encourage participation in positive social activities after school 

Learn more about how your youth uses social media