Released on May 11, 2012
Today Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan presented the Saskatoon Rotary Club with a cheque for $55,000 toward their Restorative Action Program (RAP), which operates throughout Saskatoon's high schools.
"This is a positive program that's seen a lot of success over the last few years, and we're proud to continue our support for it," Morgan said. "It includes a comprehensive and diverse set of programs that help Saskatoon's students acquire the skills they need to become successful young adults."
The grant was presented at Mount Royal Collegiate, where the program began in 2003. Since then RAP has spread throughout Saskatoon, where it is now based in seven high schools and benefits more than 5,000 students. Its main goal is to reduce youth violence, suspensions and dropouts within the Saskatoon school system by addressing non-academic issues that can affect youth such as bullying, harassment and relationship difficulties.
Each school that participates in the program has a professionally trained and certified RAP Worker who teaches conflict resolution strategies, provides students with mediation and conducts student leadership programs.
"We greatly appreciate the ongoing support by the Ministry of Justice," RAP Board Chair Peter Whitenect said. "Our research indicates that RAP is having a major impact in building a better community one youth at a time."
The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General has been a supporter of the program since 2010 and has provided more than $160,000 in grants over the last two fiscal years to enhance programs and expand services to high schools in Saskatoon.
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For more information, contact:
Noel Busse
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8959
Email: noel.busse@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-551-9405