Inner-city youth partnership launched at VCC with Ray-Cam and Vancouver Police

May 2, 2008

If you restore it, they will come -- Vancouver Community College, Ray-Cam Community Centre and the Vancouver Police launched a partnership for inner-city youth to experience automotive trades.

Twenty inner-city teens ages 14 and up -- six girls and 14 boys -- will work over the next four months on two major projects:

Restoring a 1935 Ford sedan and building a replica 1967 Cobra sports car with the help of student and community volunteers working in the college's automotive service technician and automotive collision repair shops.

"This project is hugely exciting," says Alan Davis, VCC's vice-president of education (lower right). "This initiative brings together two VCC strengths -- excellence in transportation trades training and VCC's considerable expertise working with inner-city communities."

Today the 1935 Ford is largely just a rusted shell (below, next to police car), and the '67 Cobra a collection of components; both cars are waiting to realize their sleek, shiny potential -- something that youth worker Alex Vasiljevic knows will be a major achievement for the kids.

"This program gives them opportunities rather than penalties," says Vasiljevic. "It offers belonging to a new and positive peer group, feeling powerful in development of new skills and recognition for being generous in giving back to the community -- an exhilarating positive alternative to their high-risk behaviours."

Supporting the initiative are Vancouver Community College, Ray-Cam Community Centre, the Vancouver Police and a steadily growing list of industry and corporate sponsors, who are still being approached for donations of equipment, materials and funding.

An unveiling of the completed cars is expected in the fall.

NOTE: students interested in joining the program can contact Vasiljevic at the Ray-Cam Community Centre at 604.257.6949.