Federally-funded projects help at-risk youth stay away from gangs
WINNIPEG – August 3, 2011 – Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, toured a federally-funded crime prevention project, the Turning the Tides project, which is helping to prevent at-risk youth in Winnipeg from joining youth gangs.
“Through programs like these, at-risk youth are learning life skills that help them make smart choices, and avoid gangs and a life of crime,” said Minister Toews. “We are delivering on our promise to support families and communities by helping youth stay away from crime and gangs, and out of the justice system.”
The Minister also announced over $928,000 in federal funding through the Youth Gang Prevention Fund for five crime prevention projects in Winnipeg.
“This announcement further demonstrates the government’s commitment to preventing crime and making Canadian streets safe,” added Minister Toews.
The projects receiving funding are:
- Just TV Pilot Program, Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Winnipeg, $157,487.60 over one year;
- Project O.A.S.I.S., New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families, Winnipeg, $168,225.58 over one year;
- West Central Youth Outreach Project, Spence Neighbourhood Association, Winnipeg, $190,006.12 over one year;
- Circle of Courage, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., Winnipeg, $182,670.28 over one year; and
- Turning the Tides, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc., Winnipeg, $229,961.89 over one year.
The Government of Manitoba also provided funding for the Just TV Pilot Program, Project O.A.S.I.S., Circle of Courage and Turning the Tides.
“Preventing crime and making our neighbourhoods safer takes a co-ordinated approach between governments, police and community agencies,” said Manitoba Justice Minister Andrew Swan. “These programs complement our efforts to deal strongly with those who break the law by providing youth with structured programming, connections to caring and trained staff and guidance and support to help them choose to avoid a life of crime.”
The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes a number of initiatives to help ensure that all Canadians can feel safe in their own communities, including $7.5 million annually for the Youth Gang Prevention Fund. These programs help youth make smart choices through the provision of community-based educational, cultural, sporting and vocational opportunities.
The government has increased its spending under the National Crime Prevention Strategy. Last year alone, our government funded 160 community-based crime prevention programs through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, in which nearly 10,000 at-risk youth participated.
About the National Crime Prevention Strategy:
The National Crime Prevention Strategy is administered by Public Safety Canada. The strategy provides funding support to selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention. It is a part of the Government of Canada’s plan to tackle crime in order to build stronger, safer communities. The NCPS’s priorities are:
- addressing early risk factors among vulnerable children, youth, and young adults;
- preventing recidivism among high-risk offenders;
- fostering crime prevention in Aboriginal and Northern communities;
- preventing youth gang and drug-related crime; and
- funding security enhancements to help reduce incidents of hate-motivated crime.
See also:
Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
