Parent and child high five

City offers free Empower Surrey parent workshops to help keep kids safe from gangs.

October 20, 2021
Media Release

Surrey, BC – During the month of November, City of Surrey is offering six interactive in-person workshops across the city to educate parents and caregivers about local gangs, minimize risk for youth gang involvement, and provide strategies for building protective factors. 

“Gangs target youth as young as 10 years old from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds,” said Brian Aasebo, Community Safety Manager, City of Surrey. “Getting informed early and starting the conversation at a young age are key to building resilience to the allure of gang life.” 

The free workshops will be facilitated by the City of Surrey Community Safety Section with speakers from the Surrey Wraparound Program (WRAP)Surrey Anti-Gang Family Empowerment (SAFE) Program and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC). Clinical counsellors will be on hand to answer participants’ questions.  

Topics will include: 

  • Surrey gangs and what makes them unique 
  • How to recognize and address risk factors 
  • Preventative measures, including: 
    • How to build protective factors into daily routines 
    • How to develop and maintain strong connections with children and youth 
  • How to recognize youth slang that may indicate a potential for risk 
  • The difficulties Surrey youth face at school and in the community  
  • Where to get help if a child or youth is at risk of becoming, or is actively, involved 

Workshops will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following secondary schools: 

  • November 2: Enver Creek Secondary 
  • November 8: Panorama Ridge Secondary (conducted in Punjabi) 
  • November 9: Guildford Park Secondary 
  • November 17: Earl Marriot Secondary 
  • November 18: Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary 
  • November 24: Frank Hurt Secondary 

“It’s important that we as a community come together to learn and share information so we can keep our kids safe while helping them build positive life skills and strengthen connection with family, school and community,” added Aasebo. 

For more information and to register for a workshop, visit empowersurrey.ca

Contact info

Media Enquiries:
Christie Judson
Communications Specialist
Corporate Marketing & Communications
604-790-3445
christie.judson@surrey.ca

Program Enquiries:
Brian Aasebo
Community Safety Manager
Parks, Recreation & Culture
236-598-3019
baasebo@surrey.ca