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Cover
Scene from the movie
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Every year, Father Emmett Johns - or a member of his team - visits nearly 150 schools and talks to thousands of adolescents about what we do and the hazards of life on the streets. In order for them to better understand these dangers and to dissuade those who see the street as an answer to their problems, we were involved in producing a short film entitled Cul-de-sac. This educational tool is a frank look at the real evils lurking in the streets of Montréal.
CUL DE SAC, A SHORT FILM
"Cul De Sac" was inspired by several young people's true stories. The script is based on improvisations, discussions and script workshops with a group of fifteen young people, aged 17-22, who were or are on the street. The characters are composite personalities, inspired by reality.
The message behind "Cul de sac"
Young people are eager to explore their world and make their own choices, yet they often do not have the experience to make healthy, safe long-term decisions. For some teens, simply telling them that something is bad or dangerous isn't a deterrent, but in fact makes a risky situation even more alluring. The methodology of this film and accompanying guide is to go beyond a simple 'that is bad, this is good' message. Instead, the film encourages youth to reason - considering the different and sometimes risky paths of potential decisions so they can come to their own healthy choices.
The "Cul de sac" discussion and activity guide
You may be a teacher, a psychologist or counsellor, a community police officer. You also may be a college or university educator, teaching psychology, sociology or police technology, and may find the film's subject and content appropriate for your particular setting. The guide offers various ways to use the film - whether your students are in an urban or rural setting, in a high school or college class, in an extra-curricular community youth group, a pastoral gathering, in the youth protection system, or are already entrenched in street life.
What the guide provides
We have included many ideas for pre-viewing and post-viewing discussions. There are also suggestions for literary, dramatic, fine arts and community projects that will help young people explore their feelings about the various risks, situations and themes examined in the film. We've designed exercises to encourage alternatives to running away and street life as often as possible.
We have also included a section on how to recognize warning signs that may signal a youth at risk. It is possible that during discussion a youth may reveal experiences that require specialized attention outside the classroom: sexual or physical abuse, a parent's addiction or the young person's own substance abuse problems. The teacher or facilitator can help by individually referring the young person to the most appropriate professional outside of group time. We encourage youth leaders to consult your group or school's guidance counsellor or psychologist for local resources. The URLs and contact information for many relevant groups and resource agencies across Canada is included, as well as a bibliography and a list of related videos.
Copies of Cul de Sac and the Cul de Sac Guide are available. If you are interested in purchasing one, consult the Info Certer of Dans la rue's website. Simply print the order form, fill it and send it to us by fax or by mail. We also accept telephone orders with credit card payment.
The QuickTime Plug-in is required to view the video excerpt.
You can download it here:
BREAKING THE SILENCE
The second part of our prevention program is called "Breaking the Silence" and its main focus is to keep teenage girls from joining street gangs. The program sheds light on such gang-related issues as exploitation and sexual aggression and promoting in-depth discussions about the risks associated with homelessness and street life.
The two counsellors team work with youths aged from 11 to 18 years old. They use Le Silence de Cendrillon (Cinderella's Silence), an educational comic book produced by Centre jeunesse de Montréal - Institut universitaire as a tool to raise awareness amongst kids. They also provide advice and awareness activities to teachers and other counsellors who work with kids.
A third worker, on site at the Chez Pops Day Centre, interacts directly with our youths to drive home these prevention messages. She focuses a great deal of her attention to first-timers, of whom we see about 50 every month.
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