Vancouver
youth advocate wants to help
John French
Chief Staff Writer
A string of youth violence incidents made it clear there’s
a problem in Squamish and a Lower Mainland man thinks he has
some solutions.
James Miller is coordinating and hosting a forum to air the
issue on Wednesday (July 30) at the Best Western Sea to Sky
Hotel. Miller is the founding director of End Youth Violence, a
service that offers information and resources for people dealing
with youth violence.
He administers a web site (www.youthandviolence.com) that is
dedicated to educating the world about youth violence.
Miller heard about the recent events in Squamish and decided
he wanted to help out. “Essentially, I like the community in
Squamish,” Miller said. “I’m a bus driver and drive
through Squamish quite often. I was the bus driver for the
Squamish FAM tour and I was really impressed with Squamish. I
met the mayor at that time and was impressed with his vision for
the community.”
Miller began his initiative five years ago.
He used to work in youth services and has four kids of his
own.
He wasn’t happy with what he was seeing and decided to
launch his own initiative aimed at curbing youth violence.
“I’d like to see something positive come out of the recent
events for the community,” Miller said.
Mayor Ian Sutherland said that he will be at the forum.
Reporters from around the Lower Mainland and Washington state
have put Sutherland under a media spotlight since the first
violence incident involving young people in Squamish.
Miller also invited the RCMP to come to the forum along with
Squamish Nation Chief Gibby Jacob, a representative from the
Chamber of Commerce, a number of people from the District of
Squamish and a group of local young people.
The host of the forum plans to lead a discussion of the
issues and then present resource initiatives.
Part of Miller’s presentation will offer details of what
other communities are doing to curb youth violence.
