NDP MLAs says funding will support community safety projects in Richmond
RICHMOND – New Democrat MLAs Aman Singh, Kelly Greene, and Henry Yao say that the people of Richmond will benefit from projects to address criminal activity in their community, assist individuals experiencing gender-based violence, and support Indigenous peoples recovering from trauma.
“Communities are stronger when people know where they can turn for support,” says Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “I’m grateful for the work of Touchstone Family Association and know that their resources are making lives better for people in Richmond and beyond.”
Three projects in Richmond are receiving $118,410 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community:
- Touchstone Family Association Men, Anger, & the Family Project – $40,000
- Women Educating in Self-Defense Training Society Empowering Women & Girls through Personal Safety Workshops – $38,410
- Touchstone Family Association StreetSmarts Youth Mentorship Program – $40,000
“Women and gender diverse people deserve to feel safe in their community, and our government is tackling this issue from many angles,” says Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston. “We can improve safety through supporting women’s personal safety workshops and through psycho-educational programs for male perpetrators of domestic violence.”
The BC NDP government is providing nearly $9.7 million in one-time grants through the program to support 197 community projects and fund police equipment and training. Civil Forfeiture grants are funds that go back into our communities from seized proceeds of crimes and illegal activity. These projects are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.
“We all have a role to play in fostering safe, healthy and inclusive communities,” says Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre. “By supporting projects like StreetSmarts Youth Mentorship, we’re ensuring Touchstone can continue to support at-risk youth and give them the resources and skills to thrive.”
The Civil Forfeiture Grant Program provides funding to support community safety related projects throughout B.C. through six funding streams that align with government commitments in various priority areas related to public safety. These streams include Gender-Based Violence; Crime Prevention; Indigenous Healing; Restorative Justice; Domestic Violence and Intervention Programming; and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28833
To see the full list of 2022-23 grant recipients, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/crime-prevention/civil-forfeiture-office/grants-compensation
For more information on Victim Services, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/key-parts/victim-services
Learn more about Unexplained Wealth Orders and other amendments to the Civil Forfeiture: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSSG0022-000415