When I was 14 or 15 I was in a group home in Winnipeg. I was manipulated into joining some workmates program run by B&L youth services.
I was told if I worked hard I would probably get a job. I was told this was work experience. I was told it would be good for me and that I should do this. I was to work at a movie theatre. I really liked it at first and did the jobs people usually avoid. I figured it would help me get a job. My supervisor really liked me and thought I deserved a job. He told me multiple times that he had put in a good word for me. 2 weeks before the program was to end my supervisor seemed bothered and was avoiding me. I called him out on it because it was so out of character and I thought I did something wrong. He said the last time he had put in a good word that one of the big bosses was joking saying how they get kids to work for free and that they will get another in a few weeks and that he didn't want to hear anymore talk of me getting hired. I did the dirty jobs, I was always nice and everyone like me. I was used and told myself I would not be used again. I became a criminal for quite sometime I figure if I was to be used at least I would not be powerless to do anything about it.
Also at the time the music I was listening to promoted criminal behaviour and their wasn't anything to counter it that was empowering.
During my time in the workmates program the youth were paid 40 dollars every 2 weeks for 4 hours a day 5 days a week. Almost all the youth felt exploited and most became career criminals. Some got hurt at work with no pay.
Some worked hard labour jobs such as a lumber yard. No one ever stood up for the kids that got manipulated into being used as cheap labour.
How can the people that worked at B&L not blow the whistle on this exploitation in Canada?
What good is their education if they can sit comfy as they watch youth being exploited?
How can their social workers who are charged to protect that child encourage them to do this?
How can we reform young criminals when we they get used by programs like this?