Government of Canada provides support for youth in four New Brunswick communities

From: Public Safety Canada

News release

November 14, 2018
Saint John, New Brunswick
Public Safety Canada

Youth are Canada’s most valuable resource. However, there are many who are vulnerable, which is why the Government of Canada makes it a priority to support preventative programming for at-risk youth.

Today, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $2,998,096 in federal funding under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) for the Intercultural Youth Initiative, a crime prevention project delivered by the John Howard Society of New Brunswick.

The Intercultural Youth Initiative is an evidence-based program that aims to address risk factors to offending among at-risk youth through culturally-aware and proactive supports like mentoring, experiential learning, social engagement, and personal skills development. The program will help empower youth to build on competencies and life skills to prevent problematic behaviours such as substance abuse, bullying, violence, and poor school attendance.

This five-year project, which began its work in 2018, is expected to reach 360 at-risk youth between 11 and 15 years old in four communities: Elsipogtog First Nation, St. Mary’s First Nation, la Péninsule acadienne, and Saint John.

Quotes

“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. Our Government’s support for crime prevention projects like the Intercultural Youth Initiative means that at-risk youth in Saint John will be given the tools needed to help lead to a better future for them and their families. Today’s announcement is a significant investment in the youth and future of this community.”

- Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“The John Howard Society of New Brunswick and its partners understand that, when given opportunities to belong, engage, and learn, young people can transform their attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs, and come away with a renewed sense of their own potential and self-worth.  The Intercultural Youth Initiative is a multi-cultural, multilingual, and collaborative approach to addressing the needs of our youth across four New Brunswick communities. The model is holistic, culturally relevant, encourages community involvement, involves a recovery model of care, and recognizes the strengths of the local communities and individuals within.”

- Harold DeCourcey, President of the Board of Directors, John Howard Society of New Brunswick

Quick facts

  • From April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, the Government of Canada has supported 77 community-based crime prevention projects across Canada.

  • The National Crime Prevention Strategy 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.

  • Up to $44.5 million has been committed in 2018-2019 to support NCPS in the implementation and evaluation of crime prevention programs.

Associated links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Senior Advisor for 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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