THUNDER BAY – EDITORIAL – The Guardian Angels have made a difference in thousands of lives both young and old all over the world since February 13,1979.
We the Guardian Angels recognize and support the amazing people in Thunder Bay who daily make a difference though hard work, progressive leadership, and positive role models at home, school, work and at play .
I am honoured and grateful that I come from Thunder Bay, and I am relieved that my daughter has the opportunity to go to school here.
If you watch the video, I need you to understand, I have been in the Guardian Angels for 20 years.
I have been fortunate enough to have taken part and participate personally with the Guardian Angels in Japan, Italy, England, Guatemala, Mexico , the United States, and now I am the Director for the Guardian Angels in Canada.
I was brought into the group in NYC by founder, President and CEO Curtis Sliwa.
I have personally participated with the Guardian Angeles in NYC side by side with former Mayor Rudy Gulliani, former Mayor Michale Bloomberg, and former NYC Police Chief Ray Kelly.
I have taught as a Federal Police instructor in Mexico, and also was part of the Mayors urban security task force. My duties were working in a gang unit hand in hand with the Municipal Police, constructing, and training with SWAT units in Mexico City.
The Guardian Angels were also for runners in anti bullying campaigns in high schools in various states in Mexico.
My biggest personal achievement was receiving a medal of honour for my work as a Guardian Angel in Mexico, from (former) Governor General of Canada Michelle Jean .
On this video you will see me, more than once ask that City Council endorses the Guardian Angels, that the Thunder Bay Police, who we view as heroes , also endorse us,
And lastly you will see me ask again, for the 6th time , pretty much beg to be on the crime prevention council for Thunder Bay.
We presented a business plan with what we can offer to help go right to the roots of many of the problems that lead our youth to a dark path of crime and addictions.
I am a student of ESI-LIFE FORCE, a prestigious school in Denver Colorado, for security professionals . My curriculum is extensive , and I am begging City Council to let me support and serve my city.
There is ZERO liability for the City, and I made it very clear that we are not here to put a band aid on things, rather, we are front line workers, boots on the ground, we have had success because we have earned a trust in the Comunity with all of the social and economic classes.
Smiles are free!
We have no core funding. We have had a few exceptional individuals who have donated to us, and the rest, I fund myself. When we are recognized as a charity, I will apply for the grants available so we can grow and offer more.
I have opened a school, a Guardian Angels school to offer life skill classes, parenting classes , self defence, drug counselling , money management, tattoo removal….and this school is run all by volunteers, it’s gonna take some time, and we will eventually be able to be self-sustained, but first we need to get the people who are suffering to see that they are full of potential and have the resources in them to succeed , and I need them to invest In themselves , where in turn they will invest in their community where they live, and it’s a guarantee that once this happens crime will drop.
It’s on video, now in print,I would like to be part of the Crime Prevention Council, we, the Guardian Angels are citizens of Thunder Bay.
I love my city and want to help.
Last thing…. Don’t ask how many Guardian Angels there are, I can only tell you that I get saved everyday that I put on my uniform, I live the best moments of my life when someone says thank you for all you do.
Kinship, equality, zero boundaries, unconditional acceptance .
That’s who the Guardian Angels are.
EDUCATE NOT INCARCERATE!
Let’s see how long it takes to get the answers I am looking for
I thank profusely Mayor Hobbs and Council for their time and attention .
I thank you everyone in Thunder Bay for letting me be me.
Ian Hodgkinson
