Floyd speaks at Southeast Collegiate

Today I spoke at Southeast Collegiate. About 130 students gathered in the gym to hear TJ's story. At the end of my presentation, Angela Busch introduced a student named Aaron Bittern. Aaron had done a pencil sketch of a variety of photographs that Angela had asked me for without telling me what they were to be used for. When Aaron presented the framed art work to me, I literally burst into tears. Aaron had done an incredible job of composing the photographs into a montage. WOW!

Brandon Speaking Engagement

Karen and Floyd Wiebe are traveling to Brandon to speak to parents at the "Parents Care - Know the Risks" at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School sponsored by Brandon School Division / Parent Liaison Committee.

The speaker before us is Reverend Dale Lang of Tabor AB. Mr. Lang is the father of Jason Lang, who was shot and killed by a schoolmate at his Taber, Alberta, high school in April 1999.

Here is the clipping from their local website...

Speaking Engagement in Pilot Mound

Today I spoke to high school kids from the Spirit School Division's Pilot Mound High School. It was in the Rock Lake Christian Enrichment Center. These students were attending an amazing workshop on life skills and I was invited to share TJ's story. They were an amazing group of kids.

Official Press Release - GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents

GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents is a GO!

Well just a few days after my visit to the Western Canadian Justice Minister's Conference, came news that the Manitoba Government is funding my new initiative, GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents. I am so honoured that they have chosen to fund this incredible grassroots organization. Now its off to work!

Another tragedy... and my interview in the Winnipeg Sun

Western Canadian Minister's Conference

Today I was invited to speak at the Western Canadian Justice Minister's Conference in Saskatoon. Manitoba Justice Minister Dave Chomiak invited me to speak about my new initiative, GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents.

I spoke from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and the reception form the four governments could not have been better! Now I can only hope to get GAP off the ground. In other words, GAP needs funding!

Soaring Eagles Conference Program

Here is the Soaring Eagles Conference Program

Soaring Eagles Conference program.pdf

Soaring Eagles Brochure

Here is the Soaring Eagles Brochure

Soaring Eagles 8.5 X 11 Brochure 2_11x8.5tfb.qxd.pdf

Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form

Here is the Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form

Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form_Layout 1.pdf

Karen is having surgery today.

Just left Karen in the surgery ward... AGAIN... It seems it never quits. If people only really knew how devastating this all is, and it's long term effects.

Concert

Bubba B from "HOT 103FM", Mayor Sam Katz, Karen Wiebe and Floyd Wiebe
pose after a successful meeting for an incredible October 27th
concert. Stay tuned!

Our New Booth!

We are very proud to spread awareness of our Foundation throughout
Winnipeg. Doesn't it look great?

Hello Everyone!

The Foundation will be having a booth at St. Vital Centre from Aug 31 - Sept 4 near the Sears store. Please come and visit us!

We are hoping that this will bring awareness to thousands of kids, teachers and parents about what the Foundation does.

We have just purchased a booth and a banner and it really looks GREAT!

Floyd Wiebe

Ecole Julie Riel

Yesterday I spoke at Ecole Julie Riel, one of the schoold TJ went to. Kelsey Lafreniere asked me to speak to about 100 kids at her school. Her sister Stacey was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Gala.

St. Emile School

Yesterday I spoke at St. Smile School to 110 Grade 5-8 students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Karen spoke at Windsor Park Collegiate Today

While I was traveling up north, Karen spoke to the students at Windsor Park Collegiate.

Floyd flies up to St. Theresa's Point.

Well I just got off the RCMP plane and helicopter from St. Theresa Point. 
The MKO Northern Manitoba Chiefs were all meeting for a conference called Chiefs General Assembly on Illicit Use of Drugs & Associated Gang Activity.

I spoke to the general assembly this afternoon about the TJ's Gift Foundation's Soaring Eagles Conference in September.

After my presentation, the entire room gave me a standing ovation and each Chief in the room including Grand Chief Ron Evans and Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch came over to the podium shook my hand and gave me a huge hug. Stu Evans, the RCMP that was with me said that he had never witnessed anything like that before.

I never expected this at all. It was simply amazing. I know that they will all be sending their children to our conference.

Chief Ron Evans pulled me aside and told me that he wants to work closely with me.

Very exciting...

Lavallee School

I have spoken at Lavallee School many times and today I will once
again. Today I am speaking to the Transisitions To Success Progam
students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Marion School

Today I spoke to Grades 4-8 at Marion School. I've never spoken to
such young kids as this but I didn't change anything at all. They also
needed to hear how bad things can get. They were however full of
questions.

West Kildonan Collegiate

Just left WKC after speaking about the legal system. Also spoke about
how simple decisions can affect the rest of their lives, even murder.

Speaking to Law Class

I am speaking to West Kildonan Collegiate students today. The Law class teacher asked me to speak to his students about my experiences in the legal system. Considering I spent 11 months in court, I have a lot of experience, unfortunately. 11 months, Monday to Friday... This was spread out over a period of three years mind you, but still mind boggling...

More great and powerful quotes from kids...

These are just some of the powerful statements I get from kids after one of my presentations...

1. Hi Floyd, I'm a student from Sisler Highschool. I'd just like to say that was an amazing message you got through to me, and the other students. It was an amazing speech, but it's sad that you had to use your son as an example of such a horrid event. After hearing what you and your family had to go through because of this, I NEVER want to do any drugs under any circumstance. I understand it was hard to talk about, but thank you so much for coming to sisler and telling us about it. Im sure it made students not want to do drugs, or if people have been using or selling drugs, im quite sure they are having second thoughts. Once again, thank you Floyd.

2. I go to St. Pauls Collegiate in Elie, 

I really love your speech and what you had to say. 
it was soooo inspiring, and i know alot of my friends thought so too! 
thanks agaain! (:

3. hey your story about T.J. really touched me and your really cool :D

4. The story you told us grade 9's today was truely inspiring. Your story hit me hard, and I soon hope to i can help my friends in need of help.

5. You probably hear this a lot but your story made me cry like 4 times, I saw the presentation twice, and it made me cry both times. It really touched me. I have some friends that do drugs, well not really friends we used to be untill they started using and I just wanted to ask how do I explain to them that using is just as bad as selling ? I really miss them I know they're way better then that they're real smart kids, and I really want to help them out, just reply when you get the chance.  Thanks so much for sharing the story. 

6. A Facebook Status: Listened to a guy talk about how drugs killed his son. It was an inspiring speach...

Speaking At Sisler High School today with Adapt Campaign

Once again the Adapt Campaign has asked me to speak at one of their campaigns against crystal meth. Fresh IE will be performing before me and I will tell TJ's story to the students.

West Kildonan Collegiate - Student's comments - AMAZING

I am going to publish some of the great comments the kids made to me via Facebook or emails or verbally. They are amazing.

1. "When you said " When you buy a drug, your helping kill another human" It hit me, and I used it on one of my friends because I am really against pot ect. And anyone I hang around with does it. You know how the skateboarders are. Either way good kids, but I kept calling my friend a murderer and he said "I know, I wish I could stop, its just the kids I hang around with" So I hope that knocked some sense into him."

2. "id just like to say thanks for coming to our school that your speach was amazing, all my friends were talking about "T.J's story". one boy in my class asked what T.J's story was...and everybodys answer was the same "you trully have to be there and hear it to understand it " well thanks for coming once again and T.J's story really helped me to see how bad you get get in to drugs. p.s keep it up and im sure at least one or two or even more people in my school have been motavated to change there ways because nobody not even you should have to go through what you did. so all i have to say now is plz keep doing what you are doing!!!"

3. " I also wanted to inform you that one of my friends who is a major marijuana user is trying to quit after hearing your story. I just thought I should let you know that you are making a difference by telling his story, no matter how difficult it may be. "

4. "I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak to us today what you do is an amazing thing and i wish you and your family the best"

5. "A lot of the people around me still do use drugs. After your presentation today, however, they've taken a step back to look at the whole perspective of things! You really are a brave and strong man to be able to go in front of large crowds and talk about your son like that. I would have never had the strength to do so."

6."I really enjoyed your speech today in the afternoon, it takes some big guts to tell everyone about what happened to your son and what horrible things that go on in this world, its scary. Keep Moving forward with everything your doing, to help with drug related problems that we have in this world!!! I for sure will, I have never been involved with drugs or even tried it and your story is going to be the reason why I will never do drugs in my life. One of the better role models i know now :D"

7. "Thank you so much for comming to West K; the story of your son && the drug dealing may have just helped another life, i know someone who plans on dealing, i mean, nothing big, just weed, but now i know that i will need to convince him that is NOT a good idea. " 

West Kildonan Collegiate

I was invited to speak at the West Kildonan Collegiate today. I spoke to 4 separate groups. The kids were so attentive and riveted at TJ's Story. When I got home, I was absolutely worn out. I jumped into the hot tub, and virtually passed out. Then my iPhone started buzzing and didn't stop all night. 35  kids added me to Facebook, and I was carrying on 3-4 live conversations at the same time. The comments that were made were incredible. 

These kids were telling me that their friends or themselves were stopping drugs as of that day. They told me of friends that were thinking of becoming a drug dealer, and now they had the power to stop their friends going down that road. One student approached me in the hallway and told me that he "was doing a lot of shit" and after hearing TJ's story, we was rethinking what he was doing. That takes a lot of guts to come up to me and admit that. I heard stories of students parents doing drugs and asked how they could help them stop. I just about cried along with them.

The story changes every time I tell it, as it is such a big story. Some of the kids attended more than one session, and when they left, they commented, "Am I ever glad I came back to hear it again! Thank you!" As I left the school, so many kids commented to me about the sessions.

I'm going back on Friday to speak to another large group.

Floyd speaks at Lockport School with The Adapt Campaign.

Today I spoke to 450 kids (ages 10 - 14) at Lockport School. I was invited to speak by the Adapt Campaign. Today was the premier showing of their new music video called Crystal. It is a powerful video produced with Fresh IE. The video was shown after a rousing introduction by a radio personality from HOT103. The Fresh IE was introduced and the kids were in a really fun atmosphere. It was great.

After the video, I was introduced and during my entire time in front of them, you could have heard a pin drop. 450 kids listening intently to the details of TJ's story. They were full of questions, incredible questions, and once again, I know that TJ was there saving kids.

In fact, as soon as I got home, once again, I received emails thanking me for my talk. Remember, when we get these emails, kids go to our website, and seek us out to give us their words. I think that's amazing.

CTV was there and I was interviewed for the news.

Floyd & Karen speak at Teulon High School

Several months ago, a concerned person, working in the Teulon High School sent me an email asking us to speak at the school during "Drug Awareness" week. There are 250 students in this school, and we were in front of the students for 90 minutes. Karen spoke about who TJ was and made several pointed facts about drugs, Floyd told the story and the details behind the murder. The 250 kids were amazing in how attentive they were.

After our talk, several students gathered around us and told us how concerned they were about drugs, and some reported their own families struggles with Crystal Meth. Several of the students were in tears. We certainly made a memorable impression on these kids. When we got home, I received several emails from students thanking us for our story, and the promise to help others.

While this certainly takes a mental toll on us, we sure feel that TJ is in the room with us. It's amazing.

Floyd speaks at Lavallee School

For the third year in a row, Floyd was invited to speak to a group of students. This all started as an extension of a workshop put on by RaY, or Resource Assistance for Youth, which I work together with.

This year, I was on my own. I spoke to a small group of about 15 kids. This is a much more intimate group as it is so small, so the dynamics are quite amazing. After I was done, I had a most incredible conversation with one of the students. I can't go into detail as to what he told me, but let me say, his story to me and my effect on him, were truly inspiring. 

Then when I got home I had an email from another student. I can't believe what he had done after class. He got in front of his computer, and produced a TV show on my presentation and published it on YouTube. I was truly impressed and truly thankful for him trying to further our reach into the world. To see his show, simply CLICK ME...

Gutter Aid - Street youth problem epidemic, panel told

Street youth problem epidemic, panel told
By: Shane Minkin
Updated: October 15 at 11:39 PM CDT

On any given night in Winnipeg, there are up to 3,000 youths living on the streets.

That was just one of the shocking statistics cited at a panel discussion at the Gas Station Theatre to kick off the three-day Gutter Aid program, which aims to raise awareness of young people living on the streets of Winnipeg.

The topic for Wednesday's discussion was Gangs, Violence, Crime and the System and featured Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill, defence lawyer Saul Simmonds, crime victim Floyd Wiebe and youth mentor Jason Romanyshyn, who lived on the streets as a teen.

Wiebe told a harrowing tale of searching the streets for weeks for his son TJ, who was later found murdered in January 2003.

Romanyshyn spoke eloquently of his distrust for the police during his years on the streets.

Expressing surprise, McCaskill admitted there were probably a few bad apples among his 1,328 officers.

And Simmonds called for a moratorium on arresting and prosecuting youth for petty drug crimes such as marijuana possession, which he said does nothing but ruin young lives and clog the courts. "We need to go after the head of the snake," Simmonds said, referring to the big-time cocaine and meth dealers.

Gutter Aid continues at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at the Gas Station Theatre, with a musical component later in the evening down the street at the Cavern. 

Thursday's panel topic is Mental Health, Addictions and the System, and features comedian Big Daddy Tazz, Chris Sommerville of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and John Borody of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

Friday's panel examines Abuse, Neglect, Poverty and the System and features sociologist Dr. Elizabeth Comack, David Northcott of Winnipeg Harvest, Sonia Prevost-Derbecker of Child and Family Services and Dave Angus from the Winnpeg Chamber of Commerce.

The panels are free and open to the public.

For more info go to www.RaYinc.ca OR www.TJsGift.com