The City of Penticton’s proposal on how to spend $1 million to support youth crime prevention is entering the final stage of approval.
The funding comes from the federal government’s Building Safer Communities Fund and Penticton’s plan has been submitted.
“Council has set a clear direction to make our community safe and resilient and partnerships like this one with the federal government play an important role,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield. “This is a made-in-Penticton solution that reflects our needs and how we can invest now to stop potential criminal activity in the future. This is another step towards our goal of a community where everyone feels safe and appreciated.”
The City’s Social Development department has conducted extensive community-based research and local engagements, with both youth-serving organizations and youth themselves to understand the biggest needs facing young people. Coming out of those discussions, three categories have been identified for support: school-based supports, a joint youth peer and community safety outreach program, and Syilx-specific wellness supports that focus on Indigenous youth.
“From the start of this project, youth-serving organizations expressed an interest to work in collaboration with one another,” says Jamie Lloyd-Smith, the City’s Social Development Specialist. “By building consensus with partners, we have been able to design a holistic program that supports youth in these three key areas, and by creating a larger program designed for youth that involves more organizations. This really is a win-win for the youth, the groups and the community.”
Details of the programs and lead agencies will be announced following final approval from the federal government, which is expected by the end of June.