Survivorman Les Stroud | Project Ultimate Survival & 41 Division Toronto Police
Channel: Scott Mills
Date: 08/06/2012

Media advisory,
Friday, June 8, 2012, 9 a.m.,
Greenwood Conservation Area, Glenview 1 Shelter,
2290 Greenwood Road, Ajax,
Project Ultimate Survivors


Broadcast time: 05:00
Friday, June 8, 2012

41 Division
416-808-4100


On Friday, June 8, 2012, the Toronto Police Service, in partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, will host Project Ultimate Survivors (Project US) at the Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax and end on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Project US is an initiative created by 41 Division School Resource Officer Michelle Tassé in collaboration with numerous other Divisional officers, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and other outdoor professionals.

Officers will participate in a mentoring capacity, assisting outdoor professionals Les Stroud (Survivorman) and his mentor David Arama (WSC Wilderness Survival School) while they teach a host of wilderness survival skills. Members of the Toronto Police Service's Public Safety Unit will also provide students with instruction on GPS and compass navigation. Officers will assist participants to bridge these lessons for application.

Twenty-four "marginalized" youth participants between 16 and 18 have been selected by school administration at Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in consultation with event organizers. The selected students will partner with 24 police officers from across the city, as well as several school board members, to participate in this unique outdoor program.

PC Michelle Tassé is the School Resource Officer assigned to Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School. Michelle has been working in this role since September 2011.

The mandate of the School Resource Police Officer (SRO) as outlined by the Toronto Police Service is to establish and maintain positive relationships with the youth in Toronto schools. This unique initiative will encourage teamwork, build character, promote respect and foster self-worth. Youth will also gain necessary expertise to become competent in outdoor survival, while building positive relationships with members of the Toronto Police Service. The skills and experiences acquired through this project will provide youth with competencies that will be translated to their urban environment and will last a lifetime.

Members of the media are invited to attend the Greenwood Conservation Area, Glenview 1 Shelter, 2290 Greenwood Road, in Ajax for the Opening Ceremony. Expected in attendance for the Ceremony are Acting Chief of Police Peter Sloly, Scugog First Nations Elders, other senior members of the Toronto Police Service, Les Stroud, David Arama and numerous program sponsors.

Through members of the media are invited to attend this event, please note that this is a private function and not open to the public.

Project Ultimate Survivors is funded by ProAction Cops & Kids, a charitable organization that provides funding for Toronto Police programs for youth at risk.

Proaction Cops and Kids is a charity that funds projects and activities, initiated and run by police officers, which engage youth at risk. Our goal is to build trust and mutual respect between cops and youths, helping kids at risk before they become kids in trouble.

Additional funding has been provided by Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

Canadian Tire JumpStart is dedicated to removing barriers, so children can participate in organized sport and recreation. Canadian Tire Jumpstart sees it as equipping kids for life, because participation in organized sport and recreation increases a child's chance for success in life.

For further information, contact Constable Michelle Tassé, 416-808-4100.

Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Constable Michelle Tassé, 41 Division

Recorded on Android phone of Scott Mills Crime Stoppers International Social Media Adviser/Toronto Police Social Media Officer  - Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/social-media-for-success-and-safety with the Ustream Mobile App