Niagara accepting applications for program aimed at calming young violence

It’s all about getting guns out of the hands of youth and pushing gang violence off the streets.

Niagara Region has now opened its applications for the Building Safer Communities Grant Program, which funds community-based efforts to prevent youth gun and gang violence locally.

The federal-based grants are open to organizations and businesses that deal with disaffected youth and applicants can request between $10,000 to $300,000 per year for up to two years.

“The Building Safer Communities Fund is integral to supporting the well-being of youth in Niagara,” said Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey. “This program will make our region safer while ensuring young people are set up for success, to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in a life of crime.”

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

• Be incorporated as a non-profit organization, registered charity or be an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization
• Support children, youth and young adults (ages six to 26) in evidence-based prevention programs or initiatives
• Align with at least one of the key areas of focus as identified in Niagara’s Gun and Gang Prevention Strategy, the criteria of which you can see here.
• Provide services to Niagara region residents
• Ensure equitable and inclusive service delivery to diverse and/or marginalized youth-at-risk

Applications will be accepted from Sept. 25 to Oct. 22 while funding will be available for a two-year period commencing January 2024 and ending in December 2025.

Niagara Region will be hosting three information sessions to help community organizations learn about the grant and application process:

• Session one: Monday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (virtual)
• Session two: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6 – 8 p.m. (virtual)
• Session three: Friday, Oct. 6, 1 – 3 p.m. (in person, Welland Public Health, 200 Division St. Welland)

Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley said while Niagara still see lower rates of gun and gang violence, “It is vital that at-risk youth receive the tools and resources they need to make positive choices now to prevent their vulnerability to crime in the future. I want to thank the Federal Government for partnering with Niagara Region and investing in programming that ensure our children, youth and young adults are well supported. Local prevention programs are critical to keeping our communities safe.”

To register for an information session, email [email protected].