Donald Doucet was about building character, dedication and determination, Rick Bartolucci, Ontario's minister of community safety and correctional services, said today.
Speaking at the opening of the Donald Doucet Youth Centre, Bartolucci said bricks, mortar and concrete are supposed to stand for a long time.
So it's only fitting that Doucet's values will stand in the building that bears his name.
"It's special because of the character of the person it is named after," said Bartolucci.
The new secure facility with beds for four females and 12 males between the ages of 12 and 18 is named after Sault Ste. Marie Police Constable Donald Doucet.
Doucet, a 12-year veteran of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service was killed in the line of duty on Father's Day, 2006.
Today, he was remembered for his qualities as a mentor, a loving father and husband and as a person who lived to help others.
"He always found something good in everyone," said his wife, Debbie Doucet. "I hope this continues with the staff here and that they can find something good in each and every young person who comes in here and help them make better people of themselves."
The full text of David Orazietti's media release follows.
************************* Orazietti announces opening of new $7.8-million Donald Doucet Youth Centre in Sault Ste. Marie
McGuinty government investment provides services to youth in the community and creates 30 new jobs
SAULT STE. MARIE - David Orazietti, MPP was joined today by Rick Bartolucci, minister of community safety and correctional services, to officially open the new Donald Doucet Youth Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
"Constable Doucet dedicated endless hours of his time to coaching, volunteering, counselling and mentoring the next generation of our community and our government is honoured to open this new centre which will help improve the lives of troubled youth in Sault Ste. Marie in his memory," said Orazietti. "With the construction of this new facility, we are helping to ensure that our young people receive the treatment, rehabilitation and programs they need closer to home."
The naming of the new provincial facility for the rehabilitation of young offenders after Constable Doucet is fitting and just one part of his lasting legacy.
The 12-year veteran of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service was the only officer in the proud 150-year history of the Sault Ste. Marie police force to give his life in the line of duty.
"It is very fitting that this youth centre is being named in memory of a true hero who gave his life serving and protecting his community," said Bartolucci. "This will serve as an eternal reminder of Constable Doucet's sacrifice."
Constable Doucet was very active in the community and engaged in many voluntary charitable events especially those involving sports and young people.
He participated in many events including the Heart & Stroke Big Bike Ride, Kids 'n Kops Fishing and the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run which focuses on assisting Special Olympians.
Constable Doucet also loved coaching hockey and was a volunteer assistant coach in the Soo Major Hockey League.
His positive influence as a mentor and role model for young people in Sault Ste. Marie will always be missed.
"The men and women of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service are extremely pleased at the Province’s generous decision to name the new youth centre in Sault Ste. Marie after the late Constable Donald Doucet,” said Robert Davies, chief of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “Don began his career with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service on January 5, 1994. He carried his badge, #219, with pride and dedication to duty. He genuinely cared about those he served and his compassion was always felt by those he helped. Don also understood the many complex issues attributed to youth crime and supported all youth in our community. I know that Don would be proud to be associated with the new youth centre and its rehabilitative programs."
”This new centre will allow young people to be held responsible for their actions, while at the same time, providing them with the rehabilitation, education and supports to help them make positive choices going forward,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews.
The previous government closed Sault Ste. Marie’s Youth Justice Centre, displaced 30 full-time staff and prevented youth from accessing services closer to home.
The McGuinty government has reversed this decision by building a new state-of-the-art facility to serve the needs of the Sault and area.
The new youth centre on the Second Line was built with a $7.8-million provincial investment and was constructed by George Stone & Sons Construction Ltd. of Sault Ste. Marie.
The highlights of the new Donald Doucet Youth Centre include:
- [construction of a] 20,000-square-foot facility - 30 new provincial government jobs - 130 construction-related jobs - 16-bed secure custody and detention facility accommodation for male and female youth aged 12 to 17.
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