A program designed to help municipalities and Indigenous communities prevent gun and gang violence has been approved by the City of Nanaimo.
Nanaimo’s manager of planning and community development Lisa Brinkman says the program is possible because of close to $1.2 million in funding through the Building Safer Communities Fund.
Brinkman says the funding will help identify youth who might be more prone to going down the path of crime.
“The money is designed to address the risk factors that draw some youth into gun and gang violence,” she says. “We see a number of youths living in poverty in the city with unsafe, unaffordable housing.”
She says there is a strong need in the community to build resilient foundations for youth to thrive, but that won’t be accessible unless there are programs in place to deter negative behavior.
“We need neighborhoods that care for each other and create an ownership of place,” Brinkman says. “Youth need to have that pride of residence to build positive roots.”
According to Brinkley the City of Nanaimo didn’t apply for funding, Public Safety Canada issued the money based on statistics gathered to determine Nanaimo is ideal city to run this pilot project.
“We were more identified through Public Safety Canada for the money,” she says. “We were told to apply because the city was eligible after information was gathered.
“This is the first year, and we are privileged to have several people who are knowledgeable enough to guide the project.”
Brinkman says the funds will be distributed to agencies within the city who can help youth and address the risk factors associated with deterring gang and gun violence.
“Now we are at the stage of distributing funds to non-profit organizations, or facilities in the city who work with youth,” she says.
She says despite having funds to distribute there is a specific criterion to follow before an organization can apply.
“We are looking for programs that target youth at risk,” she says. “We have a lot of programs in Nanaimo for youth, and that could prove to be tricky when it comes to selection.”
The city urges everyone to look at the strategy on their website.
