Winners >Constable John Kennedy

Certificate of Distinction

Constable John Kennedy
RCMP, Stellarton District

Pictou teenagers entering a local library for the first time may do a double take when they spot an RCMP officer rushing through the doors with a box of new books in his arms.

Other local youth in this Nova Scotia town have him to thank for the fact that by agreeing to read books and write book reports, they will not have to go to court for the minor crimes they committed.  Victims of their crimes must also agree to this form of community-based sentencing.

The idea for the literacy program, which has been dubbed, Adopt a Library Literacy Program, came to RCMP Constable John Kennedy as a result of his 17-year involvement with youth crime.  He was aware of the fact that nearly two-thirds of young offenders sentenced to prison terms had very weak reading skills.  He suspected there was a connection with their lack of literacy and the fact that they had committed crimes.  If they developed a love for books, they would be less likely to spend time doing the things that might get them into trouble with the law.

But first they had to have a place to go to where they could learn to read or improve their reading skills.  Libraries seemed to be the obvious choice.  But the local libraries lacked the funds to purchase the types and quantities of books of interest to children and teenagers.  Constable Kennedy quickly tackled the problem by devising several innovative sponsorship arrangements which have resulted in the libraries being able to purchase many more books than they had budgeted for.

Constable Kennedy has proven to be a whiz at marketing.  To motivate youngsters to read books, he has managed to get Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy and 50 other NHL stars to endorse the program.  One of its biggest boosters is Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry.

When he started the program last year, Constable Kennedy had hoped to raise $50,000 in sponsorship arrangements over three years.  But in just 14 months, he has raised close to $400,000.  The program has taken on a life of its own, creating employment for 16 people, expanding from one library to 10, and providing library facilities in two hospitals, four doctor offices, a restaurant and a sheltered workshop for workers with disabilities. 

Contact person:

Constable John Kennedy 902-755-4141