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Mr. Serge Leclerc has his Honours BA in Sociology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Waterloo. Serge was a student in several of my criminology courses and wrote his Honours Thesis under my supervision. His thesis dealt with one of his areas of expertise – higher level drug trafficking and organized crime. Serge was an overall “A” student and has excellent research and writing skills.
Serge’s greatest skills, however, lie in his public speaking abilities. Based on his past criminal experience and his academic background, Serge has developed expertise in a variety of areas: motivation and theories in crime and delinquency; drug trafficking; drug addiction; drug treatment programs; youth crime; and the Canadian justice system.
Serge has been a highly popular guest speaker at the University of Waterloo on many occasions. He has spoken to students in the Legal Studies and Criminology Option on all of the above areas of expertise. Serge is an energetic, enthusiastic, provocative, knowledgeable, and highly entertaining speaker. Feedback from our students give him the highest ratings on all of these criteria.
I am delighted to recommend Serge Leclerc as a guest speaker on topics related to crime, delinquency, drug usage, treatment programs, and the criminal justice system.
Dr. Frederick J. Desroches
Professor
Sociology/Criminology
Director, Legal Studies and Criminology
St. Jerome’s University
University of Waterloo
N2L 3G3
519-884-8110 X221
[email protected]
“Mr. Serge LeClerc is an excellent platform speaker and seminar leader. His oral presentations are superb, and he lectures with enthusiasm and positive structure. In fact, Mr. LeClerc usually mesmerizes his audience with a balance of personal experience and sound theoretical foundation on a variety of issues. He holds expertise in areas such as issues in Sociology/Criminology, Justice Systems (Juvenile and Adult), Institutional Care, Child Maltreatment, Family Violence, Work with Street Children, and the Field of Addictions.”
Professor Dale Payne, M.S.W., C.S.W., Renison College, University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario
Endorsement from Roy Green – Ontario’s Leading Radio Show Host
Roy Green Show/CORUS Ontario Radio Network.
Serge LeClerc is without question among the elite speakers (guests) to have appeared on my national award winning network radio program. Mr. LeClerc’s knowledge of justice issues I would consider un-matched. His personal experience with the justice and prison systems as “Canada’s most dangerous criminal” (so described by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) positions Serge perfectly to deliver a “must listen” message to young person and adult simultaneously. Due to his background and his education, Serge is able to address the issues facing our communities and our young people today; drugs and alcohol, bullying and violence, the Criminal Justice System and in particular the Juvenile system, suicide, sexuality, educational issues, media impact and lastly, citizenship.
The recipient of a full federal pardon, Serge now devotes himself to persuading Canada’s youth, particularly those at risk, to not follow his early career path. My audience has never failed to be thoroughly impressed with Mr. LeClerc’s on-air presence, as his message resonates clearly with all demographics and both genders. I would never hesitate in turning to Serge for his expert advice, strong opinions and truly motivational speaking skills. On air or on-stage, it is unlikely any of us will be unmoved by Mr. LeClerc’s presentations and knowledge.
Roy Green
A little about Serge, a man who I have great respect for and admiration. Serge’s resume can be found at Serge began a life of difficulty and crime at the age of eight years. He served over twenty years in prison, a result of his association with Organized Crime in Toronto and his use of and sale of illegal drugs for that many years and more. A volunteer at a prison and a traumatic suicide of a fellow prisoner changed Serge’s life forever. He became a Christian, and he attended the University of Waterloo studying in Criminology, Sociology, Social Work and Psychology, graduating at the top of his class and on the Dean’s Honor List. He was the Head of Counseling for a prestigious private school in Ontario for a number of years and has now become one of the most noted youth drug and alcohol abuse therapists in North America.
Serge brings with him a practical and academic background that is most impressive. His ability to mesmerize and captivate youth and adult audiences alike is both awesome and unbelievable. Of the dozens of e mails he received from students after this tour, one stands out and says it all, “Serge your talk was excellent. The words you use are so powerful and get into so many teens heads. I thought that it was going to be another boring assembly but it wasn’t. It was so interesting I would want to hear it again!”
Serge freely speaks of his past transgressions, but he is neither proud of his life of crime nor does he ever attempt to glorify himself. To the contrary, he openly admits that once he was an evil person, but his journey to freedom and transformation to a person who sincerely cares for youth is awesome. His dedicated work with youth has become for him, a vehicle for giving back what he took away. He is a tremendous person and a spectacular speaker – one who truly makes a difference wherever he goes.
I am currently planning a return trip for Serge in October/November 2004. I want him to tour our remaining Secondary Schools and all Elementary Schools in Kamloops and there are at least forty three. Kamloops and District Crime Stoppers are hosting a Provincial Conference in May 2004 and we are seriously considering having Serge as our Keynote speaker. This will give all of our BC Programs a bird’s-eye view of what Serge can do in their community.
The impact of a Serge LeClerc Tour in any community is truly outstanding. Keith Meakins, Principal of Westsyde Secondary School in Kamloops was unable to fit us in to the schedule because of other guest speakers. On the second last day of Serge’s tour, Keith called me and asked for special consideration for an extra presentation as several parents had called apparently very angry that their children would not hear Serge. Unfortunately, we were tied up solid, but Keith has been promised the first slot for the 2004 tour.
So many people have called and stopped me on the street and in my travels to comment on what a fantastic opportunity this tour provided for students and parents in our community. Serge provided a much needed message to youth in our Communities where Organized Crime and drug and alcohol abuse are so prevalent. My Board of Directors consider this Tour to be a resounding success and an image enhancer that is second to none with the exception of a repeat tour in 2004. I am obviously very impressed with what Serge had to offer and I do not hesitate to recommend him to any community. He will, as they say, make a difference and so he did!
P G (Pete) Netherway
Coordinator Kamloops
& District Crime Stoppers
February 26th, 2003
RE: Serge LeClerc
In November 2002, Kamloops & District Crime Stoppers decided to make an aggressive move on Drug and Alcohol abuse problems throughout our District, taking in Elementary and Secondary Schools, Grades 6 to 12 inclusive. We specifically targeted youth ages 10 to 18, parents including those associated with Parent Advisory Councils, and educators at both the Elementary, Secondary and School Board levels. To enhance the tour and involve those in need, we included Special Schools such as Learning Centres and Alternate Schools, Native Treatment Centres, and Correctional facilities both at the Youth Detention and Provincial Jail level.
As a springboard measure, we toured every elementary and secondary school in our district {64 in all} and introduced our new Student Crime Stoppers Program. Schools were then ready to hear a top notch speaker who is not only North American renowned, but well known in Crime Stopper circles. Serge LeClerc spoke to ten Secondary Schools here in Kamloops in 1998 and he was an absolute success story. They wanted him back! The teachers who heard Serge in 1998 would prove to be our best allies and influential medium for other Principals. However, Serge’s background and his credibility as a noted Substance Abuse Therapist sold this tour. The planning took a few months, but it was well worth it. Since 1984 when we incorporated, the Serge LeClerc February 2003 Tour was the singular most popular event we have ever organized that netted us the highest visibility and enhanced image in all of our Communities.
Every media outlet in all of our Communities were fully on board with pre and post advertising of this event. We were on the lips of every citizen in fourteen communities and the media coverage was outstanding. It included several newsprint, radio and TV interviews in every community that had media and several communities employed Shaw Cable Community Channel to record his entire presentation to either the Secondary or Elementary School. These recordings are now available for citizens or students who were unable to attend.
The communities involved in this tour included:
Williams Lake 100 Mile House Clinton Ashcroft
Cache Creek Lytton Merritt Chase
Revelstoke Barriere Clearwater Valemount
Logan Lake Kamloops
Hi, my name is aliesha, today you came to my school, Twin Lakes, in Orillia and spoke to us. I would like to say thank you. I enjoyed every minute of your presentation. every word you said meant a lot on many different levels. Your summarized life story was interesting. I especially enjoyed the way in which you spoke, I know for a fact that many of us were actually relating to you and your words. It was somewhat of a wake up call and I hope that some students opinions and outlooks changed today. Thanks again
Aliesha
Serge LeClerc can be summarized in three words, pertinent, provocative and powerful. On two occasions Serge LeClerc has assisted us in our alcohol and drug awareness program in Norman wells, NT. His unique way of presenting his life story commands the attention and respect of both youth and adults alike. Having been deeply rooted within the Canadian drug and prison culture and yet having “succeeded against the odds” makes him exceptionally well qualified to communicate the message of hope to all who are struggling with life’s most perplexing problems. – Dennis M. Farley, M.Ed., Licensed Psychologist, Norman Wells, NT.
While acting as the Director of Youth Ministries at Gregory Drive Alliance Church in Chatham, Ontario, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Serge LeClerc. He was addressing the secondary school teachers of the Kent County Board of Education as the keynote speaker of one of their Professional Development Days. My invitation to attend that engagement came about because the committee responsible for bringing Serge to Chatham believed his message was very relevant to teens as well as adults. They thought, perhaps, I would like to have Serge return to Chatham to address teens through a church youth rally. After hearing Serge’s testimony and life experiences I concurred with their assessment. The Secondary School Principals of Kent County also were impressed with Serge’s presentation. They felt his story was worthy of the secondary students of their respective schools. It was agreed that I would act as coordinator of Serge’s week of speaking engagements.
After contacting Serge to obtain dates when he was available to speak, the secondary school principals slotted a time for him to appear at their schools. That week, Mr. LeClerc spoke a total of 17 times in 7 days. I accompanied him to every high school in the county where he spoke at least once, sometimes twice. Several principals arranged for community gatherings, as well as, student assemblies. He also spoke to the Native population at Walpole Island first, at their elementary school and then at the community centre. True to our original intent, Serge spoke at a youth rally Saturday afternoon, then to the entire church congregation Sunday morning.
In the years since that time I have had the pleasure of accompanying Serge to Chamber of Commerce dinners where he was the keynote speaker and attended more motivational meetings where he addressed teens in secondary school settings as the national spokesperson for Crime Stoppers. I have heard his testimony several times on Focus on the Family radio broadcasts, and heard tapes of one of his interview with CBC radio.
Not only do I endorse Mr. LeClerc as a worthy candidate to speak for your event, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the great flexibility, and wide ranging appeal of his presentation. During the week he was in Chatham in 1991 he reached thousands of school children, and hundreds of adults with his message. All in all, Mr. LeClerc is a gifted, motivated, speaker who is able to relate to a wide ranging audience, both secular and Christian. May I take this opportunity to challenge you to consider seriously what he has to offer your community.
Sincerely,
Robert Taylor
Lambton Baptist Church
251 Pointe Line
R.R. #2
Port Lambton, ON N0P 2B0
Serge,
Those were the most amazing assemblies ever. I can honestly say that, as a high school student, I have never had a more powerful assembly. Every student that I talked too, told me that that was the “best assembly” our school has hd. Even staff agreed. Thank you for challenging the entire student body to be “excellent”
I have never had an assembly provoke me to examine myself as much as your assembly. Afterwards, students were incapable of putting what the assembly meant into words. All they could say was “ wow”. You really touched them and I think that showed with their standing ovation. Once again, I feel truly grateful for the experience you brought me and my fellow students.
Thank you
Andrew Rapsey
Student Council President… York Memorial Collegiate Institute
As a principal of an elementary school within the District School Board of Niagara, I first heard Serge LeClerc speak before a student audience on cable television approximately seven years ago. Since that time I have invited Serge to speak at three different elementary schools, the present being Grapeview in St. Catharines, Ontario. Each presentation involved a Grade 6 through 8 audience, finding that this is a needed target group for Serge’s vital messages.
Each presentation has drawn praise from the parent community, teachers, and of course, the students themselves. Recently, following Serge’s presentation at Grapeview on November 11th, numerous parents called me indicating that the weekend following was spent discussing all of the important issues that Serge had raised with their sons and daughters.
I feel nothing but praise for Serge LeClerc’s impact on our student body, and I will continue to invite him to speak to my students in the future.
With Thanks to Serge,
Jack Shore
Principal, Grapeview Elementary School
Serge,
We would like to thank you once again for coming up and doing your speeches. The people
in Fort Good Hope were very impressed with your speech on the local Radio station and more so
your honesty in telling your life stories on the radio. The parents of the teens that were a the bush
camp that you attended would like to thank you as the speech by the fire place with the young people
has touched them as they in turn spoke to the parents. They compared their life situations with yours
and realize that they do not have it as bad as they feel. The parents and people were amazed at how
the younger people sat with their attention focused on you while you were speaking. They have again
expressed an interest in having you come back and visit next year when they have the annual school
camp. School teachers were also touch with your ability to get the message across to the people you
are addressing.
The people of Deline have also expressed an interest in having you come back to possibly do
another speech in their community. They are also very impressed with your honesty and life experiences.
In all places visited the people were once again very happy to have you stay and speak with them in their
communities. They have all welcomed you back.
Thanks again for coming down,
Yours Truly,
Cst. Harvey PIERROT
RCMP, North West Territories
“Hi Serge, I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you once again on
behalf of my committee, my community, and the communities that you
visited while you were in the Sahtu Region. Once again you have
brought your unique insights and experiences to us in your speaking
engagements and have given youth and adult alike much to ponder about
our attitudes and lifestyles.
All the sponsors from each community have asked me to thank you and I
must say I am quite amazed and relieved at the way you went into each
talk and adjusted to the audience in front of you whether they be young
school children, teenagers, families or community leaders.
You can be assured that we will be in touch in the future requesting
another visit to Norman Wells and most likely the rest of the
communities within the Sahtu Region. Again thank you very much for
coming up and braving our brisk sub-arctic fall weather, I will keep in
touch.”
Tim Melnyk – September 2002Chairperson, Norman Wells Health & Social Service Committee
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories.
“Serge LeClerc was a guest speaker at the Crime Stoppers International Conference in Gillette, Wyoming on September 23-24, 1998. Serge also agreed to speak at several school assemblies, as well as doing a community presentation during this time. We found his presentations very motivational and knowledgeable in many aspects of problems addressing youth today.
He left an audience with valuable information that anyone can use to address issues with youth, parenting, and community problems as well as leave an organization and community with the tools they will need in order to see that our youth grow in a positive direction to become responsible adults.
I find that Serge’s personal experiences in life also had a significant meaning and reliability as he addressed the youth in our community. He is very unique in that he can speak to any age group and lends credibility to his knowledge and issues facing our young people of today.
I look forward to the day that I can invite Serge LeClerc back to the State of Wyoming to address other community groups.”
R.L. Paul, Chief of Police: Gillette, Wyoming
“Dear Serge: This letter is to thank you for your excellent work in Central Okanagan in bringing your message of ‘Moral and Ethical Certainty’ to over 7,000 youth and students and over 500 adults and professionals in our area.
Your presentations, workshops and discussions have definitely left a challenge in our community to work with youth for positive growth, and to deal head on with issues and the effects of violence, drugs and alcohol. Your message has been heard, believe me, by all that you have spoken to including the top level local government managers and area politicians. This has been evidenced by the numerous standing ovations you received.
To the person, the comments back, are that your words and challenges force us to look at ourselves and take responsibility for our actions, both as youth and adults. Your message needs to go to all corners of this country and other parts of the world. We hope that happens in the near future, so that others can hear the challenge and pick up the torch.”
Mike Guzzi, Crime Stoppers Co-ordinator: Central Okanagan, British Columbia
“I can not thank you enough for the work you did while you were here. Your presentations were thought provoking for some and affirmation for others. I personally believe the overwhelming positive response we received is due to your tremendous ability as a communicator delivering a message that society is hungry to hear. Students, teachers and police officers are still talking about your visit in glowing terms.
We calculated that you addressed in excess of 10,000 students. That, in combination with your radio talk show spots and the public presentation night, gave our programs a profile boost for which we are forever in your debt. So on behalf of the Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Crime Stoppers and our Student Crime Stoppers Programs, thanks a million!”
Cst. Grant Little, Saskatoon Crime Stoppers Co-ordinator, Saskatchewan
“Mr. Serge LeClerc has been a frequent speaker in Waterloo County. He has addressed community parent groups, teacher meetings and professional development events, both large and small, and student assemblies. In all situations he has been an outstanding success often receiving a prolonged standing ovation. Serge LeClerc is a powerful speaker with a disturbing message to which he adds his constructive solutions. His delivery and choice of language is appropriate to each of his audiences.”
W.B. Scandrett, Superintendent of Schools, Waterloo County Board of Education, Ontario
“Serge LeClerc was invited to speak to our 1700 students concerning ‘Choices – Substance Abuse’. This assembly was one of the two best I have experienced in my sixteen years of education. Serge spoke for a hour and a quarter to our students who listened with full attention and responded with a standing ovation. Serge mixes his real life experiences and ‘street smarts’ with real down to earth advice to which the students responded with genuine interest. Serge’s message is one of hope. With no reservations of any kind, I recommend Serge LeClerc for any educational setting.”
Murray Baker, Vice-Principal, Forest Heights Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario
“Dear Serge: Thank you again for the wonderful job you did speaking to our students and community members. The comments we received from the School District have been overwhelmingly positive! Your visit here was truly a ‘win-win’ for everyone. Not only did our community benefit from the message you brought to Janesville, but Crime Stoppers as an organization benefited from our association with your appearance.
I would highly recommend you to any organization that is considering having you come to their community!”
Jim Lyke: President, Janesville Area Crime Stoppers, Wisconsin
“…the students were able to relate to your shocking personal experiences in a way that could not be accomplished by a general public speaker or a lecturing teacher. All of the feedback that was received days after the assemblies was very positive, and it left the impression that most learned a great deal from your life. Your message was just what our student body needed to hear. You will be glad to know that the students heard as some of the problems here have been improving more and more as the year progresses.”
Mary Wilson and George Hunsberger: Teachers; and John Harper, Student Council President, Bluevale Collegiate, Ontario
“…you discussed many problems which we as teens have faced or will perhaps face in the future. You talked to us like we were real people and you did not give us the run around. You were straight forward and gave us something to truly think about.
It was good to know that if somebody can overcome something as serious as you have, they can overcome anything! The message you sent out to us and the challenges that you gave us really made me realize how important it is to try hard, and lead a good lifestyle, and be my own person.
I sincerely hope that other students and other people in general receive your message. Thanks again for attending our school and educating us on the problems in our society that need to be faced head on. Your talk was very inspiring and motivational.”
Erin Zimmer: Student Council President, Ursuline College, Chatham, Ontario
“Thank you very much for coming to U.C.C. School to inspire us with your presentation. You reached out to us all with your touching story and you may have changed the way we think and the way we make choices. Most exciting was how you emphasized that to do what is right – is right – is a challenge – which I never really thought of before. As I’m sure you know, all teenagers can use a good challenge.
It was a presentation we will all long remember, now and in the future. I thank you for inspiring us in so many ways. I hope to see you shine through the lives of other teenagers across North America!”
Amy Laprise: Student Council President, U.C.C. High School, Grande Pointe, Quebec
“…yet again it was fantastic to hear you – two student conferences in British Columbia and Wyoming – and now at our school in Saskatchewan! You have a phenomenal gift for getting your message across and every time I hear you, I learn more and my life seems to change! Thank you.”
Travis Major: Student Crime Stoppers President, Walter Murray School, Saskatoon