TRAIL– New Democrat MLAs Brittny Anderson and Steve Morissette say that people in the Kootenays will benefit from projects that will advance public safety, help prevent violence and promote healing.
“Rural people look out for each other and need systems that will work in rural areas where distance and confidentiality can be barriers to safety and support. Thanks to our government utilizing funds from the proceeds of crime for vital services, SKY (Safe Kids and Youth Coordinated Response) will continue their important work in the West Kootenay supporting children, youth and their families in a collaborative, safe, non-judgemental and inclusive way.” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay-Central.
In the Kootenays, the Family Action Network of the Lower Columbia in Trail will receive $39,999 for a project titled Community Connections for Children and Families that will deliver monthly and quarterly pop-up hubs to provide safe spaces for at-risk children ages 7-12 and their caregivers, offering mentorship, skill-building, mental health support, and recreational activities.
Additionally, the Safe Kids & Youth (SKY) program in the West Kootenays is receiving $140,000 to continue to support children and youth ages 0-19 who come forward with disclosures of abuse, violence, or neglect. SKY has established multi-disciplinary team, child-friendly interview rooms, and a regional cooperation agreement, to ensure children and youth residing in rural regions have access to collaborative, trauma-informed services when they come forward with disclosures.
“Monthly meetings for families to access that provide both supports and tools will help more kids in Trail thrive,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “We’re repurposing funds seized from criminals to support local people.”
The New Democrat government is providing $9.1M in one-time grants through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program to support 166 community projects across the province. These projects are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.
$900,000 of the $9.1M will support specialized police equipment and training, $500,000 will support the Anti-Hate Community Support Fund, and $200,000 will support the response to the April 26 tragedy after the Lapu Lapu festival.
The Civil Forfeiture Office was established in 2006 with the purpose of removing the tools and proceeds of unlawful activity and redirecting them back into programs that support community safety and crime prevention initiatives.