All Starz ‘Zine

Brief Description

The All Starz Zine Project empowers incarcerated youth (ages 12-24) at the Edmonton Young Offenders Centre (EYOC) through a four-session-per-year program, each session running for 12 weeks. This participatory program integrates creative writing and music production workshops, mentorship, and publishing support, culminating in a quarterly zine publication. Weekly workshops (1.5 hours) are led by a youth social worker and a professional editor, covering writing, editing, design, basic music theory, and recording techniques. Post-release, participants maintain contact with the editor and youth social worker for continued support, mentorship, and skill development.

Goals

The main objectives of the All Starz ‘Zine program are to:

• Promote cultural identity and resilience
• Reduce the risk of gang involvement and recidivism
• Equip youth with skills for successful reintegration

Clientele

The All Starz ‘Zine project works with incarcerated youth (ages 12-24) at the Edmonton Young Offenders Centre.

Core Components

The All Starz ‘Zine program team includes a project editor, youth social worker, audio engineer, and Indigenous cultural advisors, each bringing expertise in youth work, creative arts, audio engineering, Indigenous culture, trauma-informed practices, and mentoring. The program directly addresses incarceration-related risk factors (trauma, isolation, low self-esteem, limited opportunities) by fostering creativity, building skills, and strengthening positive relationships. Collaborations with local partners offer one-on-one support to participants, helping them to produce music and self-publish their own zines; fostering the development of community-led projects. This multifaceted approach promotes cultural identity, resilience, and reduces the risk of gang involvement and recidivism, equipping youth with skills for successful reintegration.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Limited information on this topic.
• Partnerships: Edmonton Young Offenders Centre, Indigenous Boys Matter Too, Old Strathcona Society, Nova House, Edmonton Public Library – Stanley Milner, Edmonton Youth Justice, Boyle Street Education Centre, Inner City High
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The All Starz ‘Zine program is operated by The Creating Hope Society of Alberta in Edmonton. The program is run at the Edmonton Young Offenders Centre (EYOC).

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Website:

https://www.creatinghopesociety.ca/

Penny Frazier, Program Coordinator

editor@zineandheard.ca