Backgrounder

Canada's New Government is serious about keeping our communities safe, which is why we are focusing crime prevention projects on those who are most at risk. Through the National Crime Prevention Centre, we are providing more than $1.4 million to support 7 crime prevention projects in Atlantic Canada for 2007-2008.

Below are the selected projects that will work to prevent and reduce crime in local communities across Atlantic regions:

5 projects in Nova Scotia:

1. 1. Mulgrave Park Tenants Association – Mulgrave Park Healthy Kidz Project, Halifax ($212,804). This project will provide the children and youth of Mulgrave Park with opportunities for learning and sharing, ranging from cultural awareness trips to recreational activities to healthy lifestyle choices. A minimum of 100 participants will take part in the project resulting in a reduction in bullying behaviour and improved conflict resolution skills, as well as improved school attendance and performance by students.
2. 2. Halifax Regional Library – Youth Opposing Gang Activity (YOGA) Project, Halifax ($192,928). The project aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance the problem-solving, decision-making and leadership skills of over 200 inner-city youth. It will contribute to decreasing the numbers of community youth who participate in gang related actions in Halifax.
3. 3. Dartmouth Family Centre – Understanding Needs and Ideas Through Youth, Dartmouth ($20,600). This project will increase the capacity of girls to make positive life choices. It will reduce the number of girls at John McNeil School who experience bullying behaviour and increase their self esteem through their participation in facilitated workshops. Approximately 100 girls are expected to participate over the course of the school year.
4. 4. Katlin Mi'kmaw Healing Cultural Centre – An Integrative Approach to Crime Prevention: Muljewej Youth Initiative, Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq communities ($519,310). This project will reduce alcohol consumption and instances of anti-social behaviour in 13 Mi'kmaq communities and 4 non-aboriginal communities. In total, over 1,500 youth at risk will be engaged in this project.
5. 5. Dalhousie U School of Social Work – Pathways to Resilience, ($401,000). This national project will take an innovative approach to understanding how at-risk children and youth nurture and sustain resilience. The project will evaluate how youth interact with primary service providers that influence their growth and development.

1 project in New Brunswick:

1. 6. Bathurst Police Force – Youth Group or Street Gangs? Bathurst and Northern NB ($14,995). This project will raise awareness among police and service providers concerning gangs in the community, and establish effective means of addressing the issue. This project will bring professionals, youth and other key individuals and groups together for a bilingual 2 to 3-day forum to address this issue.

1 project in Newfoundland and Labrador:

1. 7. Community Youth Network, St. John's – Youth at Promise, Building Community Links Project, St. John's ($49,905). The project will engage 32 high risk youth from across St. John's. Specifically, the project will engage and assist these youth through a comprehensive package of interventions.

Total: $1,411,542