Backgrounder

One of the government’s most serious priorities is to keep Canadians safe in their homes and communities, which is why we are focusing crime prevention projects on those who are most at risk. Through Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Centre and the Department of Justice’s Youth Justice Fund, we are providing over $3.1 million to support five crime prevention projects that will help at-risk youth in Winnipeg to make better choices and reduce their chances of a life of gang-related crime.

The following projects are receiving support:

Broadway Neighbourhood Centre – Just TV Pilot Project: This project will work with youth and young adults between the ages of 12 and 24 who are at risk of joining gangs or who are already engaged in gang activity. The project will address issues of youth gang involvement, gang-related crime and substance abuse. The Broadway Neighbourhood Centre received a contribution of $560,000 over four years.

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc – Circle of Courage:  This project will work with Aboriginal male youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are involved in gang-related activity in the Centennial neighbourhood of Winnipeg. The project aims to reduce gang violence and criminal activity by supporting participants as they learn practical life skills that will protect them from the influences and risks associated with gang involvement.

The Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. project received a contribution from both the Department of Public Safety’s Youth Gang Prevention Fund in the amount of $595,470 and the Department of Justice’s Youth Justice Fund in the amount of $216,679, for a total of $812,149 over four years. 

Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. – Turning the Tides: Community-Led Gang Prevention Through Mentorship: This community-led initiative will develop and implement an integrated mentorship model for youth involved in gangs. The project will provide supported mentorship by adults who have successfully left gang/criminal involvement; link youth to alternate activities and peer groups; and strengthen the employability and social supports to help youth involved, or at risk of involvement, with gangs. Youth will be attending the program as a result of a requirement to complete community service hours at Ndinawe. While at the Centre, the youth will be matched with a mentor who will help them to develop skills and to choose to avoid the gang lifestyle.

The Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad project received a contribution from both the Department of Public Safety’s Youth Gang Prevention Fund in the amount of $632,329 and the Department of Justice’s Youth Justice Fund in the amount of $185,429, for a total of $817,758 over four years.

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families – Project O.A.S.I.S.: This project will work with war-affected African refugee youth between the ages of 12 and 19, and their families, who have come into contact with the youth criminal justice system and are engaged in or at risk of gang involvement. New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families received a contribution of $392,850 over four years.

Spence Neighbourhood Association – West Central Youth Outreach Project: This project will work with at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 19 to address issues of gang involvement, gang-related crime and other youth crime in West Central Winnipeg. The Spence Neighbourhood Association received a contribution of $572,208 over four years.

TOTAL: $3,154,965