The province is taking a step forward in helping its communities grow stronger by helping local organizations make that possible.
Of the $11.8 million in grants announced today (April 27) by B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, almost $440,000 is going to nine Prince George groups that help those who deal with gender-based violence, those healing from intergenerational traumas and families dealing with gun and gang violence.
Non-profits, School District 57 (SD57) and regional Indigenous communities are among the recipients for funded projects through the government's Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation grant program.
“Taking the proceeds of crime and putting them back into our communities is just one of the many ways we’re enhancing the services that people count on,” said Farnworth in a news release.
“These grants support programs that make our communities safer, including those that prevent domestic violence, deter youth from engaging in a life of crime, and help people rebuild and heal from trauma.”
The Prince George organizations and descriptions of its programs are as follows:
Carrier Sekani Family Services
- $105,000
- First Nations Child and Youth Advocacy
- This project will contribute to support Carrier Sekani Family Services in reducing system trauma and revictimization for child victims of abuse that meets the Department of Justice Accreditation Standard and that is Indigenous-focused and culturally safe. The funding will support the centre's work to enhance the working relationship among multidisciplinary members, securing partnerships and provide a long term framework for the centre.
- $30,000
- Sons of the Land
- This project will provide services for men through the creation of male support groups to reduce domestic violence.
YMCA of Northern BC
- $72,978
- Learning Together
- This project will provide support to young people between the ages of 12 to 24 with mental health and substance use challenges who are at high risk of being involved in crime. The program will provide one-on-one and group support, education, and leadership opportunities to 60 youth and 25 family members as well as training for staff to build organizational capacity.
Prince George Sexual Assault Centre Society
- $75,000
- Sexually Exploited Youth Exiting Services (SEYES)
- This project will support to the SEYES outreach program, which is designed to assist youth ages 12 to 18 in exiting the commercial sex trade.
- $30,000
- Come Inside - Phase 2
- This project will will work to minimize barriers to service and healing for vulnerable women affected by sexual violence through culturally competent, trauma-informed crisis drop-in, outreach and skill-building groups that assist in addressing barriers that make it difficult for these women to access traditional counselling and community services.
Prince George New Hope Society
- $8,720
- New Hope 2020 Empowerment Sessions
- This project will hold workshops to provide education, connection, safety strategies, and supports for vulnerable indigenous and nonindigenous women in the sex trade to reduce risk and barriers associated with the sex trade, and increase access to information and services. Workshops will include naloxone kits/training, culturally-based healing, STI education/prevention, grief and loss, therapy, safe dates, practical skills training etc.
Positive Living North
- $29,921
- Fire Pit: Cultural Healing Project
- This project will support Indigenous adults exposed to trauma, crime and victimization who access Positive Living North's programming. The project aims to improve mental, emotional, and spiritual health through ceremony (e.g. sharing circles, smudges), and improve physical health through life-skills training.
SD57 / Harwin Elementary
- $23,630
- Bringing traditions back to our families
- This project will aim to reduce the impact of trauma and violence for students and families through land-based teachings of traditional knowledge. The target group includes all 280 students in Harwin Elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 7) and their siblings and family members. The project activities will include carving, drumming, beading, hiking, snowshoeing, restorative justice circles, and more.
SD57
- $17,350
- All Nations Basketball
- The project will provide at-risk, vulnerable lndigenous students with a high level of sports coaching and programming. The program will develop the students' capacities to engage in sports by using the Sport for Life's Indigenous Long-Term Athletic Development Model. This program will offer two separate 5-day camps for students aged 8-12 years old, and an opportunity for Indigenous youth aged 13+ to develop their coaching abilities.
Nusdeh Yoh School
- $17,100
- Nusdeh Yoh Aboriginal Choice School Eagle Nest Summer Day Camp
- This project will be a three-week First Nations land-based summer day camp. The summer day camp will incorporate traditional knowledge through experiential outdoor environments and activities. The project will be held in partnership between Nusdeh Yoh School, School District 57, Prince George Native Friendship Centre and Right to Play Canada.
Kwadacha Nation
- $30,000
- The Bringing Victims to the Forefront - Increasing Their Voice
- This project will assist victims of crime and persons who have been harmed as a result of criminal behaviour to receive assistance and support with the criminal justice system through involvement in the Restorative Justice process.
