The provincial government is putting $20,000 seized from criminal activity towards a mentoring project aimed at protecting Samahquam First Nations youth.
The project, currently known as the Samahquam First Nation violence-prevention program, will allow opportunities for elders to educate youth, build awareness of signs of violence and provide an environment in which victims and offenders can discuss issues related to family violence, according to a press release put out by Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi.
“Our government is hitting criminals where it hurts — their wallets,” she said in a statement. “We are using that money for grassroots community based programs that bring together elders and mentors to help keep youth safe from crime.”
The project hopes to focus on the roots of violence and crime, including issues such as generational and substance abuse, parenting problems and suicide, according to the news release.
