B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Office is granting $90,000 towards projects in Williams Lake which aim to prevent crime and domestic violence.
The province announced on Thursday, June 5 a total of $7.5 million in grants to go towards initiatives across the province expected to help with crime prevention, healing and public safety.
In Williams Lake, grants will fund projects proposed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake (BBBS), the Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society (CCPL) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin (CMHA). The first two organizations are receiving grants through the crime prevention stream of funding, the latter through the domestic violence prevention/intervention stream.
"Community safety is one of our top priorities," said Garry Begg, minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "A key part of that is ensuring organizations working in our communities have the resources they need to effect change."
$40,000 will fund the BBBS' In-School Mentoring Program which provides stable, supportive relationships for early adolescents to help prevent antisocial and gang related behaviours.
$17,000 will go towards the CCPL's Just-in-Time Tutoring for Youth at Risk project which will offers one-on-one or small group after-school tutoring with the goal of supporting high risk youth to successfully complete high school.
$33,000 will fund the CMHA's 'Become the Change' project.
"This project will deliver a voluntary program for individuals 18+ at low to moderate risk of or who have perpetrated domestic violence, promoting awareness, changes harmful behaviours, teaches healthy boundaries, fosters support, and enhances community responsiveness to domestic violence."
These three projects are among a total of 166 community-led projects in B.C. to be granted funding in the Civil Forfeiture Office's 2024-2025 round of grants.
Along with the prevention of crime and domestic violence, the Civil Forfeiture Grants are going towards initiatives focused on child and youth advocacy, gender-based violence, Indigenous healing and restorative justice.
“Whether it’s helping youth, preventing gender-based violence or supporting Indigenous healing, these investments are empowering communities to implement community-based initiatives that enhance safety," said Begg.
Another 118 projects in B.C. are receiving funding through a one-time grant, amounting to a total of $900,000 to support specialized police equipment and training.
A full list of recipients can be found on B.C.'s Community Crime Prevention webpage.
If you are the victim of a crime, Victim Services can help you navigate supports available to you. Call the toll-free, 24/7, confidential service line VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808 or or email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca for assistance. Learn more by visiting B.C.'s Victim Help and Support webpage.
