Uh Oh

This article was just published on CBC this morning about group homes in Ontario...

Apparently there's loads of room for improvement...Yeah, no shit.

However, as someone whose office is located in a group home, and who works in social services, I must say that blaming service providers is the easy way out.

It would be much harder to blame inexperienced parents, addictions, systemic violence/discrimination or *gasp* the government shitty funding for kids in group homes having a higher rate of involvement in the justice system.

When kids get to group homes, the seeds have been planted already. If there were a bit more funding and a bit less shitty parenting I think that group homes could function quite nicely. As it is, these kids are handed a tough plate to deal with.

That being said, I have noticed more police officers around...

Kids call group homes "gateways" to jail
CBC

Almost half of Ontario's young offenders in detention for minor crimes came through the child welfare system, a report from the Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy shows.
The trend is a concern for child advocates across the country and Ontario Child Advocate Judy Finlay said many of the province's young people are beginning to think of group homes as "gateways to jail."
"We're taking them out of very difficult family circumstances, bringing them into state care and then we're charging them for their behaviour. It's very concerning to me," Finlay said.
The report, which was obtained by CBC News, lays much of the blame on group homes that rely too heavily on police to resolve problems that could be handled by staff.
Kids have been charged for everything from refusing to read a book or hitting someone with a tea towel, Finlay said.
One group home in Ontario called police 400 times in a single year.
Ontario is not the only province that needs to fix the system, the report says. A sampling of facilities across Canada found that 57 per cent of young offenders had a connection to the child welfare system, the report said. In British Columbia, a recent study put that number at 73 per cent.
While some teens acknowledge the more serious charges may be warranted, they complain that too often, staff lack the training to deal with troubled kids and resort to calling police.
One teen, who can't be named under federal law, said workers would often provoke him. After he was charged, group home workers had an easy way to threaten him by suggesting a breach of his bail or probation conditions would mean a return to a young offenders facility.
"They threaten you and say you better read that book or you're going back to jail. Come on, what kind of system is this?" the teen said.
Finlay is calling on the province to collect data on police calls from group homes and the charges that result. She also wants to see a mental health worker attached to each group home and higher standards for an industry that costs taxpayers more than $200 million a year.

It's A Girl!

Ok, here she is...isn't she beautiful???

I L-O-V-E her!!!!!

If you're lucky you can get a ride...but not if you're Maggie because she mocked my colour choice.

I'm already having nightmares (literally) that I'm crashing cars...luckily the cars in my dreams that I'm crashing are my parents and not mine.

TA DA!!!!

I BOUGHT IT

Yes folks, I bought a car, well, leased it anyway.

It's a 2007 Pontiac G5...and it's orange.

I L-O-V-E it.

I pick it up tomorrow and I'm terrified someone will hurt it already.

I ran around (my office at least) today trying to get auto insurance figured out.

It's going to cost me almost as much for insurance as for the car...but it will be worth it. That's what I'm telling myself.

I may have to live at home for a few extra months...but I'm lucky my parents like me.

No more bumming rides off of people (namely my mom... thanks mom!).

Now I need a name for it...I won't know until tomorrow if it's a boy or girl (I have to look under its hood).

I was thinking "Money Pit" or "Gas-zilla".

Sigh.

:-)

Hate Car Shopping

Seriously, why is this so annoying?

I understand that I'm going to pay a lot of money for a car (trust me, I understand). But does this merit you harassing me?

I enjoy the Saturn people, they don't try and annoy me too much. Except when it comes to financing. Back off.

The Toyota people are more annoying. The most annoying.

Leave me alone. I kind of hate you. Even if you offered to install an iPod Interface for "free".

When your manager came out and actually said to me: "What's it going to take to get you in this car?" I vomitted a little in my mouth. Especially because I said not 2 seconds before that I WAS NOT GOING TO BUY A CAR THAT DAY.

Do car salespeople not listen?

I have to drive this car for many years. I'm not going to run into this without checking everything out.

And guilting me with the "I'm one sale away from my quota today..." is complete bullshit.

I'm not so annoyed with the salespeople even. But with people who buy cars who like this shit. Who are these people? What is the matter with them? Why do they have to ruin car buying for people who don't need their ego stroked?

I hate you.

I don't have a car yet, but I will soon....argh.

I hate car shopping.

Too much money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Her Fave

Let it be known.

Rachel really can't tell the difference between Annie and Maggie.

Case in point this evening.

She can't tell them apart in a picture (Annie's picture on the fridge is often pointed to as "Maggie"), or on the phone (she interchanged Annie and Maggie a half dozen times tonight).

Ah.

Sorry women, you just have to live with the knowledge that she loves (not even likes, screw that) me.

And I'm her best friend.

And she said I was beautiful.

Not only does she have good taste, she's extremely smart.

And spare me the "well you still live at home that's why she showers you with love" speech. That doesn't work anymore. Besides that you both just left a couple of days ago and she pretty smart now. I think it's selective memory.

P.S. Maggie, you gave her your cough. I hope you're happy with yourself you baby sickeninger.

Getting Wheels

So because of the new job and the intense driving around I will be buying a car.

Am I excited about this? Yes and no.

I like to drive, the bus is slow and cold, but I like my money.

But unfortunately the decision was made for me, so last night Dad and I went to a few dealerships, drove a 2007 Ford Focus XZ5 (very nice), and I'm going out again Friday night...maybe Annie will come with???

When I get the beast, I'll let you know. And no, Maggie can't drive it.

I'm Getting Wheels

Alright, so because of a clarical snafu, I need a car for my new job.

It was supposed to be put in the job ad, but it wasn't. So imagine my surprise when I was told I couldn't use a company car (because of the grant specifics).

So, as I have to roam around Western Ontario I will be going to dealerships tomorrow with my Dad.

I don't know what's more painful, having to dole out the cash for a car, or having to deal with my Dad's high standards when it comes to purchasing a car.

Here's how it goes:

Me: I just want some wheels that won't break down.

Dad: What do you want?

Me: The cheapest thing that won't break down.

Dad: But what is it that you want in a car?

Me: Cheapness.

Dad: This is your escape! You're wheels! You have to think about what you want!

Me: I know what I want. To not spend a lot of money.

Dad: What do you want?

Me: Cheap. Wheels.

End Scene.

First Week Of Being A Grown Up

Alright, so last week was my first week at Western Area Youth Services as the Project Coordinator of RISE (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) for Youth.

I have my own office, business cards and a whole lot to do.

My main job will be public education about sexual exploitation of youth...what that you ask?

Well, I'll tell you.

Sexual exploitation is when anyone trades anything with anyone under the age of 18 for any type of sexual favour.

Some people unwittingly call this youth or child prostitution. By law this is child abuse, so it should be treated as such, so don't call it prostitution. It's abuse and against the law.

You may think that this only happens in developing nations like Thailand, but the reality is it's happening more and more in Canada.

From experience I can say that this is a silent epidemic in Canada, London is running rampant with exploited young people. Sometimes their street kids, but there are just as many kids trading stuff for sex in the suburbs as downtown.

With this phase of the project I will be responsible for ten different counties...yes count 'em up:

Essex
Chatham-Kent
Lambton
Middlesex
Elgin
Oxford
Perth
Huron
Grey
Bruce

Yes, from Windsor to Owen Sound, I'm on the case to help exploited kids everywhere.

We've even got ourselves a MySpace page, check it out:

www.myspace.com/riseforyouth

Ants In Your Pants

Feet Still Hurting Me

Here we are at the creepiest building in Montreal, The Insectarium.

This was by far the weirdest and coolest exhibit there, those are ants walking across the branch...!

Le Stade

Can you tell my feet hurt?

Dad and I went to the Insectarium and Botanical Gardens on our last day in Montreal.

My feet felt as though they were going to fall off.

Then he asks me to climb on a frozen metal bench and pose for about 16 pictures.

This was the nearest I could get to a smile.

Sorry Sisters

When I was in Montreal I learned quite a bit.

I learned that the big sales happen the end of January, beginning of February...

And I'm talking big sales, 50% to 70% off.

Too bad it's totally lost on me.

First Week Down

Alright, so after a relaxing week in Montreal (a.k.a. the coldest place on Earth) it was time to get down to the business of having a real job.

When I was in Montreal I tootled around, got to know the Metro system, went to the Insectarium, Botanical Gardens, ate bagels, did some shopping, walked up and down St. Denis Street, explored Vieux Montreal, ate crepes, got locked out of Cathedrale de Notre Dame (could they tell that I don't go to church anymore?), got chillblains every night, ate smoked meat, walked around underground, spoke French, slept in, and went to the Biodome.

All in all a pretty good week with my Dad.

Above you will see a picture I took at the Rainforest portion of the Biodome of two monkeys grooming each other. I call them Annie and Maggie. I think it's fitting.

At the end of the week I decided that I could live in Montreal, but not in the Winter months.

"And some places you been before are so great that you don't ever mind going back. Some places you been before you don't ever want to go back, you know, like Montreal in the Winter."

~M. Freeman

Blog's Back Up

Alright, so after my Dad messed up my browser I couldn't access my blog, but rest assured he fixed the problem and we're back up and running.

Arrived!

Alrighty, Dad and I have arrived in Montreal!

We're at our hotel right beside McGill University.

Tomorrow the vacay begins! We took the train down this morning and had a nice ride in VIA 1!

Very different from what I'm used to, I'm used to travelling VIA regular like a mere peasant. I got a full breakfast and lunch. And booze!

It was packed and for a few hours we shared our four seater with a toddler. Luckily she didn't get annoying until the end.

Besides that there were some women who tried to mess with us and get us out of our four seater with the table. Screw you. We ain't moving. And we didn't. We sent them packing for the regular seats.

There was a slightly strange guy who shared the fourth seat with us in the four seater. A bit of a TMI (too much information) kind of person who wanted us to know he was tough despite looking like he was 120 lbs. soaking wet. As well, he sufficiently freaked us out when he listened to his CD player (yes, CD player) and sang his emo music.

Anywho, we got to Montreal safe and sound, tomorrow I venture out on the Metro!

What The Heck?

Ok, I'm flipping through the channels and I see my friend Oprah.

Normally I wouldn't stop, but today she's interviewing a Muslim woman. Interesting enough.

This woman is talking about her faith and the similarities to Christianity.

Then Oprah asks,

"Do Muslims believe in God?"


WTF? Are you kidding? Do you believe in God???

What the heck?

Argh.

I GOT THE JOB!

W00T!

So the big news is I got a full time grown up job!

Yes!

Starting February 5th I will be the Project Coordinator of the RISE (Reducing Incidents fo Sexual Exploitation) for Youth, the same project I helped create last year when I was a student at WAYS.

My job will include lots of public education surrounding young people in the sex trade (what people mistakingly call "youth prostitution"). And I'll be travelling all over Western Ontario!

As well, I'll be heading up the team creating new posters (the one on the left was what we created last year) and a video game.

Besides that, I get my own office, and I'm in the process of picking out a new laptop.

Best of all, this means (drum roll please) I'm moving out! I love my parents, but trust me, it's time.

Yea!

News!

Big, Big, BIG news!

Come back here for updates or visit:

http://www.mindyourmind.ca/mind-tools/play-stuff/sfs-quiz.htm

For a clue!

Run, Don't Walk.

Ok, so during my hiatus from blogging my fabulous parents gave my sisters and I an equally fabulous gift.

Dinner at Jump, a night at the Intercontinental in T.O. and...TICKETS TO SEE WICKED.

HOLY CRAP.

Now, I'm a fan of musical theatre, I don't find it odd or bizarre when people start bursting out into song, there's something reassuring about it. No matter what's going to happen, you know that someone is going to start singing a catchy tune in a minute or two.

Sigh. It was fantastic.

For those of you who aren't in the know about musical theatre Wicked is a fabulous musical that originally starred Kristen Chenoweth (of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Idina Menzel.

Menzel won the Tony for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked, and she's married to Taye Diggs. Sweet deal.

Anywho, Wicked is freaking amazing. It tells the story of the Witches of Oz. Let's just say that the age old stereotype of the ugly witch being the mean witch is broken. Beautiful!

So, if Wicked makes an appearance in your town, which it will. It's immense popularity means it will start touring North America a la Rent. Run and get tickets.

We were in second row (which I don't recommend for young children or people afraid of flying monkeys, like my mother), and it was FANTABULOUS.

Great music, very funny and an awesome message.

P.S. If you liked Rent you'll recognize Elphaba's voice, it's Maureen.

Back To Work!

Alright, so after some nice time off at home I, as well as Tracy, are back to our regularly scheduled lives.

Happily, Tracy was in London last week and had an angioplasty. It went well, the surgery, that is.

If you don't know this woman and are ever in charge of making sure she stays put long enough to recover, here are some tips:

1. Keep Her Hydrated: This is a helpful tip whenever anyone is in recovery, however, be warned of frequent trips to the bathroom.

2. Sugar Levels: I learned last week that your optimum sugar level should be at a 7. Let's just say she was working her way towards that figure.

3. Bruises: I don't know what it was with this woman, but she likes to show me her bruises. That was a little much. So if you're helping her out, please be warned that she might gross you out.

4. Keep Her Down: This woman has an uncontrollable urge to get up and try and help out. This is annoying. Keep her down. I did this by lacing her tea with a sedative.

5. When She Starts Getting Loud Take This As A Sign: Alright, when she starts talking loudly, making me uncomfortable, bringing up my career aspirations from my childhood I know that she's doing better.

Feel better!!! And stay off your feet!!!