20, September, 1997
To whom it may concern:

I would like to highlight the work of Mr. Ennio A. Paola, Director of Instrumental Music in several High schools of Toronto.
Mr. Paola is a very dedicated Music instructor as well as an excellent promoter of Human Rights.

I write to you in the capacity of a parent, who is concerned with the activities of young people. I am a Detective with the Toronto Police Service, Hate Crime Unit, and part of my mandate in combatting Hate motivated crimes is to find pro-active solutions in combatting these issues. I am not writing on behalf of the Toronto Police Service, but I believe that I have something to say as an individual who deals with youth on a professional basis. I believe that an important element in the promotion of racial harmony is to commission the youth to participate in enriching and rewarding activities that will not only touch the students but the community at large.

During the last two years our hate crime unit has worked co-operatively with Mr. Paola, the Municipal, Provincial Government agencies such as Access & Equity Department, the League for Human Rights - B'nai Brith Canada, and the Ontario Human Rights, in the elimination of Hate and Violence in Metropolitan Toronto.

Mr. Paola's Program involves "Youth" in the exploration of artistic abilities. These initiatives include, "Musical Talent, Dramatic Arts, Public Speaking, Artistic drawings and Dance." Mr. Paola has incorporated a positive theme in all of these activities. The program includes police information sessions regarding the impact that Hate motivated crimes have in our communities. The students under the direction of Mr. Paola and other teachers, develop innovative "Youth presentations involving the artistic abilities mentioned above.

This program has a tremendous impact on the participants, their peers, parents and communites at large. The participants in these programs have the opportunity to express their inner feelings of what racism means to them. They discover and develop tools that greatly enhance their self-esteem in front of their peer group. The Youth have the opportunity to showcase their cultured abilities in their respective schools, and communities. One of these events takes place at Metro Hall during the "Elimination of Discrimination Day" sponsored by the Access and Equity Department of Toronto and Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit.

Each participant is rewarded with a Toronto Police Certificate, entitled "Respect & Integrity" signed by our Chief of Police and Chair of the Toronto Police Service. Approximately 1200 Respect Certificates have been awarded to the participants of such programs.

The focal point in all these initiatives is youth involvement, youth development, and actualization.

In conclusion these initiatives have tremendous impact throughout Toronto. I strongly believe that these types of programs remain in the hearts and minds of people throughout their lives. I would rather see the "Youth" picking up a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, a PAINT BRUSH, a PEN, instead of a GUN or KNIFE in order to express their feelings.

Yours Truly,

Det. Dino Doria.