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Founded in 2006 by Zya Brown, Think 2wice’s birth was a result of theToronto 2005 ‘Summer of the Gun’. In an attempt to combat the risinggun violence that was plaguing high risk communities, Think 2wicereached out to youth in such neighborhoods and equipped them withthe spiritual tools they needed to not only survive but live victoriouslyin the battle elds that they resided. Think 2wice assisted them in ‘think-ing twice’ before making decisions that could a ect their lives forever.Think 2wice gives ex o enders and ex gang members a platform torelease their pain and give back to their communities by sharing theirstories, hardships and mistakes they’ve made. “We believe changecomes from within, therefore it is in the dark places, amongst thosewhom are forgotten…in the federal prisons that we focus our e ortsand build up positive leaders to in turn reach out to the youth who arefollowing the dark path behind them.”Think 2wice believes that thosewho can make the greatest impact are either those who have eitherlived the lifestyle and changed, or those who truly care and listen with-out having formed judgment. Everyone involved in Think 2wice fallsinto one of these two categories.To date, Think 2wice has evolved into a collective of communicationand art techniques. Through training, workshops, motivational speak-ing, music and theatre , Think 2wice paints a story and releases inspira-tion and hope in the vocabulary andunderstanding of its audience.

Think 2wice Operates Think 2wice key values are Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding 3.1.UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE Think 2wice has acute knowledge of our focus group: Who they were historically Who they are presently Who they are physically and spiritually Think 2wice has an UNDERSTANDING: of historical and present struggles, hardships, thinking, mistakes, shortcomings and strengths. of the problems both systemically and personally…... as a people and as a person and of the solutions. 2. WISDOM Think 2wices WISDOM is in our Strategy: Think 2wice releases KNOWLEDGE to the minds ofUsing the arts: Theatre, Music, Acting, Writing, Poetry, Speak- the young people we work with. ing, Fashion and Photography, Once we have hooked in the attention of ourThink 2wice speaks in the understanding of our audience and audience, we begin to assist on unlearning behaviours in the mindset. At this point we are hooks their attention. Through able to bring in additional services and supports.this stragedy a seed for change is planted and empowerment It is here that the seed for change is watered and and hope is released. positive leadership begins. “As a man thinketh is how he beith”. A persons self portrait determines their conduct.

Programming Music WorkshopsCounselling Tyhwaoihsthwuioonnrvkeegkdr1p20ew,0oip0cle0e from ‘At Risk Neighbourhoods, Writing Detention Centres & tFherdoeuraglhIn: stitutionsMotivational Theatre Speaking Productions

HISTORY AND TIMELINE OF THINK TWICEDROP IN GROUP 01 2006 FOUNDED 2009 In 2008, the 2008 02 Founded in 2006 by Zya Brown, Crime and Gang Involvement Drop In Group Think 2wice’s birth was a result of was birthed. This project ran on Fridays and 03 the Toronto 2005 ‘Summer of the Gun’. consisted of 12 children and younger youth In an attempt to combat the rising gun between the ages of 9-15. Through this 2010 04 violence that was plaguing high risk program we saw the importance of building on communities, Think 2wice was three fold: individuals strengths and talents at a young 05 The Think 2wice Correspondence Program age. In 2008, the After School Weight Training gave individuals who may have had no Program was initiated. Running daily, this 2013 06 support a form of hope. It started with program was located at Albion and Martin three young people that think 2wice grove and targeted the ‘At Risk’ youth of this 07 reached out to but by the second year the particular Rexdale TCHC neighborhood. number of youth and young adults enrolled 2015 08 in the program was in the nineties. MOSTPIEVAAKTIINOGNAL The Think 2wice Victim Support Program 09 gun violence their families while in the In 2010 Think 2wice began Motivational Speaking Sunny Brook Hospital. The Think 2wice in a maximum security prison: Millhaven Federal 2017 10 Weekly Drop In Group fostered a safe Institution. Think 2wice chose and remained place for young people to share their faithful to this 23 hour lock down prison which experiences and hardships through the housed some of the hardest to serve inmates. week. This group started with a handful EXPANSION soared to thirty every Friday night. This group was recognized by the courts and In 2013 Think 2wice expanded and performed the produc- many youth who were initially mandated tion “REPENTANCE” in Millahaven and Collins Bay Institu- to attend continued on after their hours tion. were completed. PRODUCTION YOUTH LEADERS IN DEMAND In 2009 Think 2wice began the In 2015 Think 2wice performed the production “ Leaders Group which assisted and supported 3 KINGS”- “Not Everything That Glitters is Gold”- the raising of positive leaders within the com- this production as a prevention initiative in the munity. Think 2wice also began Motivational community as well. Speaking in the community. NEW PROGAMS 2012 TPHREISAOTNRE 2014 In 2017 look out for our New and Improved In 2012 Think 2wice added a Theatre component and programs. We are also excited to start two brand follow up workshops to their speaking engagements new Prevention and Intervention programs! BE and began performing at Millhaven’s, February, Black ON THE LOOK OUT!!! History Event. The production was called “HOPE”. This initiative incorporated music, speaking, and acting. This year Think 2wice started a project called ‘Hear My Cry” which operated out of the Albion Library. This program addressed symptoms of PTSD within the community of Rexdale and assisted in the training and raising up of male youth leaders who desired to become positive male role models in the Rexdale community. THEATRE SPECIAL In 2014 Think 2wice performed the production “THE DITCH THEY DUG FOR ME” in Collins Bay and Millhaven Institution. 2016 BLACK HISTORY PRODUCTIONS In 2016 Think 2wice performed the theatre production “TRUTH”. To date the Think 2wice Prison Theatre Initiative is honoured to perform performance for the Black History Event and follow up workshops in the following Federal Institutions: Federal Institutions: Beaver Creek Minimum & Medium sites, Collins Bay Minimum, Medium & Maxi- mum sites, Joyceville Minimum & Medium sites, Millhaven and Warkwarth.