Submitted. Two local community organizations are receiving provincial grants from civil forfeiture proceeds which will be used to combat family violence and help fund an outreach program aimed at high-risk youth, Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong announced today.
The Abbotsford Community Services Youth Resource Centre has been awarded a $23,000 grant (details below). The W.I.N.G.S. Fellowship Ministries is receiving a $14,075 grant. These two grants are part of nearly $1 million going to 81 projects across B.C. funded as part of the Province’s civil forfeiture program.
B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture Office files civil court actions against property alleged to be a tool used to further unlawful activity or a proceed of it.
What’s Being Funded:
· Men’s Work – Building Healthy Relationships – $14,075
o This project will expand a current pilot project that provides cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) batterer intervention groups for men.
· ALLY (Abbotsford Learns and Looks out for Youth) – $23,000
o The Stop Exploiting Youth (SEY) program at the Abbotsford Community Services is well established and provides client-centered, intensive and long-term outreach services to youth that are either sexually exploited or are at high risk of sexual exploitation.
Why This Matters:
· In a province that’s enjoying its lowest crime rate in decades, it’s vital to engage communities in addressing outstanding public safety issues – and our civil forfeiture grants provide that opportunity.
· This round of grants includes a new funding stream focused on projects to combat bullying. In all, 16 school-led anti-bullying efforts are sharing about $200,000 of the $1 million in grants.
· The projects receiving funding this year are related to combating bullying, youth crime, violence against women and family violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and community crime, as well as police training and equipment.
· All grant recipients will be notified, and funds paid out, before the end of March 2013.
Quote:
“It’s important for communities to reach out to individuals who are at risk of hurting others or at risk of hurting themselves. Men’s Work provides mentorship to men through therapy, and ALLY provides safe practices for youth. The work of both organizations help to make our community a safer place.”
Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong
Additional Information:
· In November 2012, the B.C. government announced that up to $1 million would be available from civil forfeiture proceeds for projects geared to building community safety, and invited applications from schools, community groups, and policing agencies.
Active since 2006, B.C.’s civil forfeiture program has put more than $9 million in proceeds back into communities, to crime prevention programs and to victims of fraud and phony investment schemes.
B.C.’s civil forfeiture program is the second-oldest among eight provincial programs that are now active across Canada.
· Domestic Violence – It’s Never OK website.
Much needed funding for our communities vulnerable, but,it
is unfortunate politicians seem to have clarity about what
really matters for families & Youth, just before an election.
It is bittter sweet….to say the least.