Dec 01, 2009 - 10:13 AM

By Parvaneh Pessian

WHITBY -- Breaking down barriers that separate community youth from the police force is one of the top priorities of the ProAction Cops and Kids program.

As part of an overall goal to help at-risk young people establish positive ties with members of Durham Regional Police, a variety of engaging activity opportunities have been popping up across the region.

"We want to create that respect of officers and hopefully that will transmit into respect for all of the community," said Nancy Shaw, chairwoman for the Durham chapter of the program, at a meeting held Nov. 25 to encourage Rotary Club of Whitby members to support the cause.

ProAction Cops and Kids is a registered charity that functions separately from any police service and is funded solely by donations from the community, corporations and other organizations. Founded in Toronto in 1991, the program spread to Durham in 2007 and another chapter was formed in Hamilton the following year.

Since its launch in Durham, ProAction has funded more than $43,000 worth of local programs, reaching out to more than 5,000 at-risk youths -- typically beginning in Grade 5 to the end of high school -- through activities spearheaded by Durham Regional Police Services.

"The officer is out in the community doing their job and they see the need and say 'I really like basketball and this will be a great after-school opportunity,'" said Ms. Shaw, explaining police are encouraged to share their passions with youth.

The program is heavily reliant on police officers themselves, who devote their own time to initiating and organizing a wide variety of activities related to sports, camping, the arts and many others.

"Whether it's a basketball skills camp or a canoeing trip, these young people find out that cops are people just like them," said Durham police chief Mike Ewles.

"This program helps tear down some of the barriers and I know it's been a very rewarding experience, not only for the youth involved, but also for the police officers who participate."

Officers can forward their activity ideas directly to the ProAction board, which has a grants committee to determine if ideas meet the required criteria to receive funding. The grants can cover a variety of necessities including equipment, uniforms and snacks.

"I think it's great to see a program that is trying to be proactive in preventing possible problems in children before they start and I'm also struck by the variety of ways that kids can get involved so it reaches out to as many people as possible," said Rotary member Patrick Bennett.

Some of the places the program has already made an impact include G.L. Roberts Collegiate in Oshawa where Grade 9 and 10 students received mentoring. An enthusiastic soccer team was established in Whitby and a summer camp program was based in Bowmanville.

For more information or to donate to the program, call 905-579-1520 ext. 1717 or visit www.copsandkids.ca