Advocates say more needs to be done to prevent youth radicalization

As more young Albertans are lured overseas by extremists, some groups say not enough is being done to prevent radicalization at home.

The warning follows the reported deaths of three Edmonton cousins recruited by ISIS.

• 3 ISIS recruits from Edmonton believed killed
• ISIS suspects known as 'high-risk travellers,' Edmonton police say
• Radicalized youth in Edmonton worries police chief
• Edmonton Muslim students host forum to fight radicalization

Last week, AhmedHirsitold CBC Newshis 20-year-old sonMahadwas killed fighting for ISIS, along with three nephews.

Hirsisaid his son and nephews,HamsaandHersiKariye, left for war-torn Syria from Edmonton in October 2013, teaming up with another nephew from Minneapolis on the way.

Mahadwas born in a Kenyan refugee camp after his family left Somalia. The boywas still in diapers whenHirsibrought the family toCanada, hoping to escape the violence.

"I bring them here to have peace, a tearfulHirsisaid from his home in Toronto.A good life.

But life in Toronto was difficult.Hirsi, who completed his master's degree in political science, was forced to give up his education and work menial jobs to make ends meet.

He split up with his wife, who had trouble coping with life in Canada. The children were cared for by variousfamily members before they were finally moved to live with their aunt in Edmonton.

Mahad, who had dropped out, finished high school and began working in Edmonton. That'salso whereMahadbecame devout, and where his fatherbelieves he was radicalized.

'Religious gangsters' prey on isolated, lonely

Calgary ImamAbdiHersysaid many young refugees and newer immigrants face huge barriers in education and employmentbecause of poverty, stigmatization and a lack of schooling before they immigrate.

He said those feelings of failure, helplessness and a lack of opportunity can make youth vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups he refers to as religious gangsters.

They know if they go to Syria they will die. So it's a kind of suicide, saidHersy.

As long as we dont address that as a whole ... we will deal with this problem over and over again."

Hersysaid extra support to help them succeed in school and become employable is needed a sentiment shared by Calgary motherChristianneBoudreau.

I think youre going to see more and more of it happen, until we start doing something proactive in advance here at home, she said.

Boudreau's son, DamianClairmont,was killed a year ago in Syria.The 22-year-old Canadian-born Muslim convert went overseas from his home in Calgary.

She turned her grief into action by launching a program to prevent other families from losing their children to extremist groups.

Boudreau said many youth are vulnerable to radicalization regardless of religion, culture, ethnic background or socio-economic status and thinksintervention is needed early before theyre recruited.

We need to have resources in place for these families so they have somewhere to go to reach out for help, that they're not going to be stigmatized, she said.

Boudreau'sprogram also provides support for parents such asHirsiwho have lost their children.

They need a lot of emotional support. Its very scary. Theyre seeing everything thats going on in the media and a sense of panic comes over them."