This is the kind of initiative that saves lives, development and develop communities... The passion is again evident.

I am appalled that the issue among troubled teens in Montreal has been taken so lightly by the media. Do you really think that more basketball will truly solve the issues of youth violence? WHy are these kids out on the street in the first place instead of at home or in school? Does anyone really take the time to put things into perspective and see that the problem simply cannot be resolved from an individual, case-by-case situation. The root of the problem is actually found at a more systemic level and should be addressed at that higher level as well.

And why are we looking to Toronto for a solution to a problem in Montreal? Are we saying that there are no/less troubled teens in Toronto vs. MOntreal? Because of the presence of basketball? Really?

To bashment: are you seriously saying that putting kids on basketball teams saves lives? I'm sorry, but that is a very naive perspective. I don't know you but it seems you need to reconfigure your analysis on the situation by actually taking a look at the situation. It's pretty obvious there's a lot you don't understand.

To outraged: while I agree that there are a lot of underlying issues here that need to be addressed, we can't also forget that the presence of more extracurricular activities is more beneficial to these youth than destructive. It gives them something to do, not to mention the fact that being involved in a constructive team sport will also be teaching them some form of discipline. That being said, even more important than after school activities is to educate these youth on street sensibility and on the catalysts, reasons, and causes for their being on the street in the first place. It's also pretty obvious that there are systemic barriers hindering these youth from really fulfilling their potentials.

It is nice to see though that someone is at least making an effort to support these kids, however superficial the effort may be.

This fix is to the troubled Filipino youth in Montreal is problematic on so many levels. First of all, the youth in Toronto are not the sameas youth in Montreal. Second, the youth in Toronto are not even from the same community!
The problems of the youth in Montreal is specific to the Filipino community because they are children of domestic workers who came in through the Live-In Caregiver Program. These youth are separated from their mothers for an average of 10 years, and are damaged from this separation. When they reunite with their mothers, they can no longer identify her as a mother. They have problems integrating because their education from the Philippines is not recognized and they are held back a few years. They are expected to learn French in immersion classes that are too short for them to learn, and are pushed into adult ed before they even become 18. The violence that they engaged in is only a grain of the multitude of problems they deal with in integrating into Canada.
Besides a basketball/counselling session, they need much more. First, this racist federal immigration policy, the LCP, which separates families should be scrapped! Filipino women should be able to come in as regular immigrants, be able to sponsor their families right away, and should have jobs waiting for them upon arrival, as many of them are nurses, teachers and doctors but their degrees are not recognized.
Also, the youth should have access to more recreational facilities other than basketball courts, should have integration programs available for them to help them adjust, and should have their educaton also recognized. Some of these youth were ready for college but were put back to high school, then pushed into adult ed.
While I do not discredit the work that the Toronto multi-racial basketball team is doing for its local youth, I do not think that what they do answers at all to the needs of the Filipino youth in Montreal. The fix offered by CBC is a very frivolous, superficial, posterous "fix". Thank you for representing our community's issues but no thanks for the irrelevant, short-term, bandaid solution you have offered.

Listen, this J.Humphrey (the one in the segment) and I see where you guys are all coming from and you're right. Basketball will not completely remove the case and situation of teen violence; but do you not think that it would help the situation? Really, think about it. If youth are going to a program and actually be taught on how to better carry themselves as well choices to make it life, do you not think that, that might help the situation at hand? Even we only have the kids for 2 hours, does that not help even a little bit? within 2 hours or a 120 mins on the street anything can happen, am I wrong? Understand something, because I think you all are under the misconception that we are out here to save the world and claim that our efforts or "product" will save everyone and change everything in the blink of an eye. WRONG!!! we are not here to state that or push that message in any way, shape or form, we are simply here to do our little part in regards to that dream or realization that one day youth violence and anything related will be a thing of the past or atleast something we dont experience as much. If you'd like to get more information or discuss this further you can contact me at jermalhumphrey@hotmail.com or visit the B4L website at www.b4l.ca

Thanks for the various postings everyone! I feel that it's important to fill in some of the blanks that were missed during the broadcast. I realize that time constraints did not allow CBC to dig deeper into the success of the B4L program. However it is important to acknowledge the main contributor to B4L's success; its valued community partnerships.

B4L is only a small part of larger vision. In the last decade, for example, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) under the direction of Officer Rodcliff Chung, saw amazing results as hundreds of at risk youth were brought in to a positive environment. Basketball was a part of that program but it included so much more as young men were challenged and inspired and accepted and given the chance to change for the better.

Approximately three years ago, B4L partnered with the TPS in an effort to broaden the impact of a mentorship (first) basketball (second) program. The TPS as well as B4L developed a close working relationship with the various schools, both Public and Catholic, in the community. To this day there is continual contact and consultation happening at various levels throughout the year.

As a result of this powerful synergy between the Police, the TDSB, the TCDSB and the 4 Life Foundation, the B4L mentorship program has multiplied exponentially both in numbers and in influence.

In my opinion, the Police Service of any city always has the best 'handle' on what the problems of a community truly are. Therefore, any program that is launched and does not have the endorsement or cooperation of the police has a greater chance of failure. Along the same line of thinking, the schools of any community are the best resource in understanding what exactly the issues are facing kids and teens. Therefore, any initiative focused on kids or teens should have continual input from the schools/school board.

Any organization in any city, whether it be Toronto or Montreal, has a shot at seeing positive transformation in a community if helpful and productive community partnerships are formed. My recommendation would be to engage and partner with the Police Service and engage the various schools and/or other caring community groups whoever they may be. The various problems facing teens are complicated and difficult. And no major problem is the result of just one factor but rather the result of a combination of things such as economic status, cultural/religious background, sociological issues and many more.

Therefore the solution will necessarily be the combination of a variety of ideas and events and initiatives all brought forth from important community partnerships. B4L has not succeeded because of a set formula but rather because of the principle of working together; problem solving together.

I've never been to the exact community in Montreal discussed in the CBC documentary but my recommendation would be to start building a community partnership with the various groups. There is no problem that committed community members can't solve when they work together.
Peter Karl Youngren - President and Founder of the 4Life Foundation.

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Extra curricular activities definitely keep the youth distracted from activities that are created out of idleness. Getting them involved in community projects is another way of keeping them busy and out of trouble.