OPP, grocery stores partner to Push For Change

Addie Pierson and Cline Pierson, of Foodland in Wellington, with PEC Community Safety Officer Connor Durkin to launch the Push for Change initiative.

Prince Edward OPP and local grocers are hoping to engage community support to “Push For Change” for Ontario’s youth.

On May 1st, 2016, Joe Roberts – a former street youth turned successful entrepreneur – began pushing a shopping cart 9,000 km across Canada, as a national awareness and youth empowerment campaign, focusing on youth homelessness.

The Ontario Provincial Police is mobilizing and engaging with youth and various stakeholders in more than 50 community-based events across Ontario as a community safety partnership with The Push for Change.

“We are currently working with community partners, youth, mental health, addictions service providers and others throughout 2016 and into 2017 to address issues affecting the safety and well-being of OPP-policed communities, and Ontario’s youth,” said Connor Durkin, PEC OPP Community Safety Officer.

In Prince Edward County, the detachment has partnered with Pierson’s Foodland in Wellington and No Frills in Picton with a ‘Fill up the Cart’ initiative. Up until Thanksgiving this year, members of the community will have the opportunity to donate food items that will be directed to the Wellington and Picton food banks.

“The Push for Change encourages everyone to work together, one community at a time, to make sustainable change for Canadian youth,” said Durkin. “The goal is to broaden everyone’s focus to include early intervention and prevention efforts as well as response.”