Hundreds pack Surrey Drugs and Gangs forum
Joe Calendino, an ex-full patch member of the Hells Angels, spoke about the difficulties of getting out of a life of drugs and crime. “Have that open dialogue with your kids. Be able to sit there non-judgemental, and really hear them and allow them to speak to you because we live in a space where […]
BC Principals & Vice Principals Association 2016 Partnership Award Recipient
“Surrey’s principals and vice-principals have said that “Joe and the Yo Bro/Yo Girl Youth Initiative are one of the best facilitators and programs we have ever experienced in the Surrey School District.” – BC Principals and Vice Principals Association Learn More
The School of ‘hard knocks’ in Chilliwack
Kids don’t grow up covered in bubble wrap. They witness violence, sometimes experiencing it firsthand at a very young age. They are exposed to alcohol consumption, offered deadly drugs, targeted for sexual advances, and even coerced into gang activity. And it does seem to be happening more and more. But there are people out there […]
Ending Addictions Took Courage
You know you’ve hit rock bottom when your behaviour is unacceptable even for an outlaw motorcycle gang. Joe Calendino, the 2014 recipient of a Courage To Come Back award in the addictions category, was a “full patch member” of the Hells Angels, and heavily into drugs. “I was doing crack, percs, oxy, smoking, drinking alcohol,” recalled Calendino […]
300 March for Sobriety Ex-Hell’s Angel Speaks to Youth
SOMBA K’E/YELLOWKNIFE – About 300 students from five middle schools in Yellowknife marched in the annual Sober March on Monday to raise awareness about substance abuse. “Today is the start of National Addictions Awareness Week so to sort of highlight that, or bring that into focus, we’re having this public walk to celebrate sobriety and […]
North Vancouver Students Take A Walk on the Wild Side
VANCOUVER – Police officers from the Odd Squad have given 10 North Shore high school students a firsthand look at the harsh reality of drug and alcohol addiction. David Steverding, a Vancouver police officer and North Vancouver resident, was one of several Odd Squad members who took students from Sutherland secondary on an interactive tour […]
A Life Transformed
He had to hurt people before they hurt him, to prove who he was. He got high from smashing people’s faces in. John was 14 years old when he first started smoking drugs, 15 when he joined a gang, and was kicked out of five schools by the time he was 16. By age 27, […]
