Concern over the tragic loss of over 100 youth to gang violence led the Indo-Canadian community of the Lower Mainland to come together in June of 2002, inspiring the formation of a number of community organizations dedicated to helping youth and families affected by gang violence.

• An umbrella organization was created: the South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence (SACCAYV). It met with politicians on behalf of the community organizations and asked for special support.

• As a result of this effort, the BC Integrated Task Force on Gang Violence was created in 2004, which has since been credited for its effective programs and strategies for combating youth gang violence.

• Acknowledging that the roots of the youth gang violence deeply pervade the community at large, the SACCAYV broadened its base. In August of 2006, the SACCAYV invited major service providers and community-oriented academic institutions (i.e. Kwantlen and Langara) to participate in their efforts by forming a coalition to discuss the issue of youth gang violence and plan future directions for community actions with a clear focus.

• What does the community as a whole need to do to combat and prevent youth gang violence?

• What kind of support is needed to implement the community programs to this end?

• Several meetings have been held since August of 2005 and a strong coalition has now been established. It includes three sub-committees: Media, Research and Youth. Each of these sub-committees meets with community organizations, service providers, stake holders, and community leaders to generate, develop, and implement tools to promote the mission.