(Re)Thinking “Gangs” and Gang Intervention: Moving Beyond the Status Quo

(Re)Thinking “Gangs” and Gang Intervention: Moving Beyond the Status Quo is a full-day, in-person Symposium designed for front-line workers, educators, social workers, researchers, law enforcement, youth workers, and community members who are seeking more critical, inclusive, and effective approaches to addressing gang and street-involved youth.

Led by Dr. Adam Ellis, a scholar with lived experience in street and justice systems, this event offers a rare opportunity to examine the intersections of trauma, community violence, systemic racism, memory, and identity in relation to gang involvement. In collaboration with a diverse group of facilitators, this gathering will challenge traditional assumptions and offer bold, community-rooted alternatives.

• Interactive presentations and storytelling from individuals with lived experience, scholars, and practitioners
• A critical analysis of current gang prevention and intervention models—what works, what doesn’t, and why
• An introduction to trauma-informed and decolonizing approaches, including Afrocentric and Indigenous frameworks that center healing, culture, and community-led solutions
• Space for dialogue and reflection on how colonial systems and structural violence shape gang involvement
• Practical insights and tools for applying alternative, non-punitive approaches to your work with youth and communities
• Lunch to be provided

Whether you're new to this topic or have years of experience, this Symposium is designed to leave you with fresh insights, deeper understanding, and strategies you can use in your profession and community.

This event is proudly presented in partnership with the Canadian Training Institute (CTI) London Police Service & Project BUILDS (Bringing Unity in London’s Diverse Society).

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Canada