Government of Canada investing in youth and families in Winnipeg

From: Public Safety Canada

News release

May 21, 2019
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Public Safety Canada

Many children and youth in vulnerable populations are at-risk of criminal activity. The Government of Canada makes it a priority to support evidence-based crime prevention programming for at-risk youth.

Today, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, Robert Falcon-Ouellette, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, announced $5.6 million in funding for the Wahkohtowin - Strengthening Families Project under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS).

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. implements the Wahkohtowin - Strengthening Families Project with four partnering agencies in three sites and uses the Strengthening Families Program model to reduce problem behaviours, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children and youth, to help improve social competencies and school performance. The program targets high-risk children and youth as well as their parents or caregivers in the most at-risk neighbourhoods of Winnipeg where criminal activity is most intense. This project will reach up to 520 at-risk youth and their families over five years.

The program consists of 14 consecutive weekly sessions and includes the following three core components:

  • child/youth skills training classes;
  • parenting classes to encourage best practices; and
  • family practice classes which allow parents and children to practice what they learnt in their individual classes in experiential exercises.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada knows that building a safer society begins in our homes and in our streets. Strong, community-led programs that make use of evidence-based models have proven effective in crime reduction. The Wahkohtowin - Strengthening Families Project is an excellent example of how organizations can partner together to support at risk youth by given them the tools they need to help build a better future for them and their families. Today’s announcement is a significant investment in the future of our youth and our community.”

- Robert Falcon-Ouellette Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre

“Public Safety funding has allowed Ka Ni Kanichihk to take a unique approach in working collaboratively with community partners. Through this funding, community partners were able to couple the Cree Law Wahkohtowin with the Strengthening Families Program to work with families to improve relationships. This innovative approach allows families to choose a space they feel most comfortable to work together to restore or enhance the interconnectedness of their family kinship systems. At Ka Ni Kanichihk, we honour the laws of Creator, the knowledge of our ancestors and our responsibility to the children; those that are here now and those still waiting to come—seven generations from now. We are thankful for the funding from Public Safety Canada, which will ensure the success of our project.”

- Dodie Jordaan, Executive Director, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

Quick facts

  • The Wahkohtowin - Strengthening Families Project is delivered by: Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., Ndinawemaaganag Endawwad Inc., Spence Neighbourhood Association, and the Bilal center.

  • The NCPS provides national leadership on cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime among at-risk populations and vulnerable communities by intervening to mitigate the underlying factors that put individuals at risk of offending.

  • The Government of Canada is making up to $94 million available over five years to develop inclusive, diverse, and culturally-adapted crime prevention projects across Canada.

  • From April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, the Government of Canada supported 84 community-based crime prevention projects across Canada.

  • Up to $42.6 million has been committed in 2018-2019 to support NCPS in the implementation and evaluation of crime prevention programs.

Associated links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Manager of Media and Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@canada.ca

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