20120605_d33_book_drive.jpgThousands of books are headed to the correctional system to help inspire young people, thanks to the police and the public.

“What we are doing brings attention to the fact that our young people need opportunities, and reading and literacy are the foundation for them to get an education,” Toronto Breakfast Club president Rick Gosling said.

“When I go to the youth facilities, I realise how many youth there cannot read or write. They realise how challenged they are when they want to write their girlfriends and several aspire to become lawyers. So it’s important we give them the tools to help them read and become educated. With education, they will be able to get jobs and become useful societal citizens.”

Gosling said the response from Service members and the public exceeded expectations.

With the full backing of Chief Bill Blair and Toronto Raptor Jamaal Magloire, the drive was launched to support the libraries set up by the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation. The books will be distributed to the Justice Michael Tulloch library at the Sprucedale Youth Facility, the Brookside Correctional Facility library in Cobourg and the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre in Brampton.

“The Chief was simply incredible in throwing his support behind this endeavour and every Division has followed,” Gosling said.

“The school liaison in 33 Division, Const. Neil Pickrell, was great in getting all the schools in that catchment area to participate.”

Pickrell said it was easy to get the schools in his Division to participate in the program.

“This was an opportunity for them to make a difference in the lives of other young people,” he said.
“The response was overwhelming from almost 50 elementary and Catholic schools in the area.”