HE WANTS TO GET TROUBLED BOYS HOOKED ON FISHING, NOT DRUGS

Ernest Matton wants to help troubled kids in the area by taking them
fishing.

Matton is founder of the Catch a Fish Not a Buzz program, which is
starting up soon for boys aged 13 to 17.

"There is a gap in the system for people in that age group. They have
problems about their self-esteem, and have a tough time coping," said
Matton.

Even though students are taught the rights and wrongs of drugs and
crime at school, Matton said the message doesn't get through.

"If they're learning about it in school, why aren't they practising
it? The thing with adolescents is they don't care how much you know,
they want to know how much you care."

Matton has been working on the idea for eight years, and he said when
fishing with friends, he noticed nothing else mattered.

"It's a common thread, whether you're with adults or kids, they enjoy
fishing. When they talk about fishing, their defence mechanisms went
down, and you can get information from people."

That's where he had the dream to create a safe environment where teens
could learn basic life skills while having fun.

"I want to help them learn without learning, so they can enjoy what
they're doing."

He does this by having the participants build fishing rods as a group,
develop fish habitat together, or cook and clean for one another.

"This teaches them conflict resolution and problem solving. They do
the activity without realizing they are using these skills."

Talking to teenagers, not at them, makes a big difference, said
Matton.

He wants to help youth, who show destructive behaviours, or abuse
substances, learn about their potential by making them stay more than
a month at a learning facility.

Matton said putting responsibility onto the youth by having them plan
the meals, or do the laundry, teaches them respect.

"It teaches them not to be self-centred, they have to value one
another, whether they like that person, or not."

It's not all fun and games, as the teens will be in counselling
throughout the program.

There are two different durations, one for 45 days, the other is 90
days, and it will be on a revolving-door style. When a bed is
available, a new teen will enter the program.

Matton said the long timeframe is needed to get to know the teens as
individuals, and teach them new habits.

"It is unique, because they will still have things to do for up to a
year after they graduate. We will check up on them throughout that
year, to see how they are doing in the community, school, church and
in society in general."

He hopes the program is up and running by 2004, and is now working on
obtaining a building in the area.

Since it will be a private facility, there will be a fee for services,
but he also hopes to get private donations, so some fees can be subsidized.

"I want the youth to take responsibility for themselves, so they pay
$5 or $10 a day."

It will be a home atmosphere for the youth, not an institution, even
though it's a smoke-free facility. It will be safe for them to explore
their feelings, and talk to the staff about different issues, he said.

It won't be an environment where the teens are judged by anyone,
including their peers.

"Part of the reason they act out is because they are afraid of
rejection, so they try to measure up. Even though they may be media
savvy, they still want to be accepted. If a joint is passed around,
they don't want to be a dweeb, so they'll take a toke."

Matton has identified 16 qualities of life, and the teens will learn
each of these are important to their own success. Respect, sharing and
communication make his list, along with forgiveness, honesty and caring.

He wants the teens to learn how to talk with adults, so they can be
seen in a different light.

"Parents will be working on this too, to know they don't have to keep
up with their neighbours. We have to teach them how to send and
receive information clearly and effectively, and be open to listening."

Matton hopes the youth will take their lessons with them as they age,
and pass it along to other friends and family.

"They are the driving force to the future, and right now, I see youth
falling through the cracks."

By the end of the program, Matton hopes to see a twinkle in the teens'
eyes.

"They learn they can do things at their own pace, and don't need to be
yelled at. They realize they can do all this stuff."

Matton is also hoping to create a girls' program within the next five
years, to teach them the same type of self-esteem to overcome problems
with drugs and alcohol, and image issues.

In order for youth to become a participant, they will be referred to
the program by the courts, schools, doctor, family member or minister.

In order to achieve his final goal, Matton is raising $5 million for
the project by 2005, to help keep the costs low for the
participants.

If you can help with an individual donation, or a corporate pledge,
call Matton at 533-1579. For more information, you can also go to the
Web site www.catchafishnotabuzz.com