Canada: City of Toronto to receive federal funding to curb gun violence
Toronto, Dec 22 (IBNS): Toronto Mayor John Tory has welcomed the Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF), which was announced in the City Hall on Thursday by Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime, and Toronto Chief of Police Mark Saunders, media reports said.
The City of Toronto will reportedly receive approximately $6.76 million in Public Safety funding over a five-year period for the Community Healing Project (CHP) from YGPF, reportedly part of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) to curb gun violence.
CHP prevents crime and Intervention, a proven peer-support model addressing the root causes of youth gang involvement and increases protective factors for young people exposed to community violence.
It was also announced that The Toronto Police Service will receive up to $400,000 in Public Safety funding over a two-year period to enhance the Neighbourhood Officers Program in eight priority neighbourhoods in Toronto.
“On behalf of all Toronto residents, I want to thank the federal government ...to implement our plan to curb gun violence in the city, and we look forward to continue working with our partners to support young people, families, and neighbourhoods,” said Tory.
This program is expected to reach 1,350 young people over five years and 250 young people will be certified as "Peer Healers" and allow staff to expand the program from 10 communities per year to 20.
"One of the goals of our Neighbourhood Officer program is to connect community members with the right resources and build relationships based on trust and co-operation...will ensure,,, safety of our communities rather than choosing a life of crime," said chief Saunders.
Over two years, 360 at-risk youth will participate in the program and develop skills like emotional intelligence, peer relationship building, gang avoidance, online safety/awareness, wellness, career planning, and building relationships with the Toronto police.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Images: John Tory/Facebook, Bill Blair/Facebook
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