Foundation Hosts the Second Guns, Drugs, and Gangs Public Safety Forum in Surrey

Foundation for a Path Forward joined the BC Muslim Association and KidsPlay Foundation to host the Guns, Drugs, and Gangs Public Safety Forum at Surrey Jamea Masjid. Supported by SACH BC, Moving Forward Family Services, and Penny Appeal Canada, the forum drew more than 500 youth, parents, and community leaders to confront the urgent crises of gang violence and the toxic drug epidemic threatening Surrey’s young people.

The program brought together speakers whose lived experiences and professional expertise gave weight and urgency to the conversation. Yusef-Andre Wiley, a former Blood gang member from Los Angeles, shared his powerful journey from incarceration to becoming a respected motivational speaker and community mentor. His testimony illustrated both the dangers of early recruitment into gangs and the possibility of redemption when communities rally to support youth.

Maulana Osama Raja, Imam at the BCMA Surrey Delta Masjid, provided a faith-based perspective on resilience and responsibility, urging Muslim youth and families to anchor themselves in values that protect against exploitation. His leadership reinforced the role of spiritual guidance in countering destructive influences.

Gary Bains of KidsPlay Foundation drew on his financial literacy background to highlight how gangs prey on young people’s desire for fast money. By teaching youth how to manage finances responsibly and recognize manipulative tactics, he demonstrated how practical education can be a frontline defense against recruitment.

Statistics underscored the urgency of their message: gang-related homicides now account for nearly half of all murders in B.C., and toxic drugs remain the leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 10–59. Children as young as 10 are being groomed online, with recruiters exploiting vulnerabilities, peer pressure, and even romantic manipulation.

By convening religious leaders, survivors, educators, and grassroots organizations, the forum offered more than warnings—it created a roadmap for prevention. Families left with tools to spot recruitment tactics, resources for intervention, and the assurance that their community stands united in safeguarding the next generation.

The Foundation for a Path Forward sees this forum as a turning point. By fostering collaboration across faiths and sectors, the event showed that communities need not accept the normalization of gangs and drugs. Together, Surrey took a stand to reclaim its neighborhoods and protect its youth.