Toronto Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a group of mothers from the Somali community to help improve safety and better serve residents.
Some mothers of Midaynta Community Services (MCS) signed the MOU on February 8 with police officials and dignitaries, including Jim Hart, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board.
“This MOU represents an important opportunity to demonstrate through action a commitment to partnership in an effort to enhance community safety,” says Hart.
Police say the MOU establishes a formal and equal working relationship between the Board, Toronto Police Services and Midaynta, who has a mandate to improve the safety of young Somali males and curb gun violence ‘currently impacting the Somali-Canadian community.’
The mothers form the Mending a Crack in the Sky (MCIS) initiative. Many are survivors of acute trauma, who organize immediate support to youth and families.
MCIS stresses the violence they respond to is concentrated among Canadian-born Somali youth whose communities face disproportionate levels of homicide, gun and gang violence, mental illness, and incarceration.
They propose culturally sensitive programing and healing which align to the city’s guidelines in addressing anti-Black racism and mental health. The proposal is unprecedented and innovated to be effective for members of the Somali-Canadian community in Toronto, officials say.
“I applaud these efforts and proud to be a part of such a great initiative,” says Deputy Chief Peter Yuen.
Members of the community called the MOU signing ‘historic.’
Midaynta was formed in 1993 and works to improve the quality of life of newcomers in Toronto. The charity provides settlement services and other programs that advances education by providing courses, seminars, meetings, counseling and other support services for refugees, immigrants and youths in need.