Eleven local organizations, including the BC Lions, are sharing more than $500,000 in provincial community gaming grants to support public safety measures like restorative justice, youth outreach and traffic safety for children.

Among the recipients this year is the BC Lions Alumni Association for the Lions Pride program, which was awarded $168,000 to continue community outreach that aims to inspire youth to be active, make positive choices and excel in life.

In partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Lions Pride is an outreach program for youth in grades 8 and 12 that highlights the importance of making positive choices and choosing alternatives to gang involvement. Players and coaches from the Lions have visited schools in Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Abbotsford and Prince Rupert. Next May, for the fourth year in a row, Lions Pride will host a four-team flag football tournament for at-risk youth.

Last year, public safety organizations throughout B.C. - including community policing groups, volunteer fire departments and search and rescue societies - shared more than $7 million in community gaming grants. Public safety organizations provide diverse services in B.C. communities, while sharing a common commitment to protecting citizens.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"Whether through mentoring, restorative justice, front-line victim outreach or working to stop violence against women, community gaming grants are another way the Province is giving back and supporting public safety efforts. We are also proud to be a part of the outstanding community outreach of the BC Lions organization. Giving at-risk youth the inspiration to succeed benefits every community."

BC Lions director of community relations Jamie Taras -

"The Lions Pride program is a key component of our focus on youth outreach and community involvement, and we are delighted to be receiving gaming grant funding for another year. The BC Lions remains committed to doing our part to better the community and lives of at-risk youth."

Quick Facts:

• Last year, Premier Christy Clark increased the annual base budget for gaming grants by $15 million to $135 million per year into the future.
• Every year, the B.C. government approves $135 million in gaming grants benefitting over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in the province.
• Eligibility for community gaming grants includes not only public safety organizations, but also agricultural fairs, local festivals and celebrations, heritage associations and museums, arts and culture, sports, environmental organizations, human and social services, parent advisory councils and district parent advisory councils.
• Last spring, government provided over $1 million in grants from civil forfeiture proceeds in support of 84 projects related to combating bullying, youth crime, violence against women and family violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and community crime, as well as for police training and equipment.
• In November, government announced the availability of up to $1 million more in grants from civil forfeiture proceeds, for projects that prevent the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of vulnerable girls and women, enhance responses to domestic violence and prevent youth involvement in crime.
• Beyond these one-time grants, government provides more than $70 million for prevention and intervention programs that benefit victims of crime and women and children impacted by violence.

Learn More:

For more information about gaming grants:http://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/grants/

For an overview of restorative justice in B.C., see:http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crimeprevention/justice/index.htm

To learn more about the BC Lions' Lions Pride program visit:http://www.bclions.com/page/lions_pride

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

BACKGROUNDER

Over $500,000 in community gaming grants for public safety programs

More than $500,000 in community gaming grant funding has been provided for restorative justice, pedestrian safety, youth outreach and victim services programs in B.C.

Recipients include:

• Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association - $70,000 toward its community-based restorative justice process, as well as the "Restorative Action through Mentoring" program. Launched in 2007, the program was designed to provide follow up assistance to young people being held responsible through the restorative justice process.
• Community Justice Program of the Sunshine Coast - $12,000 for its community-led program, aimed primarily at first time offenders, which delivers its content in the form of justice circles and community accountability panels, facilitated by accredited volunteers.
• Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association - $13,000 toward its in-school "Education for Peacebuilding" restorative justice program. The program works toward the goal of safer schools through various conflict resolution and mediation initiatives.
• Kelowna & District Safety Council Society - $20,000 toward the Little Travellers' Safety Village, which has been offering traffic and pedestrian safety for children ages three to eight since 1980.
• Lillooet Learning Communities Society - $20,000 for its restorative justice and public outreach program, facilitation of community justice forums and family group conferences.
• Ridge Meadows Youth & Justice Advocacy Association - $38,000 for its youth diversion program which works hand-in-hand with community service agencies, RCMP and Crown Counsel to help youth accept responsibility for their actions.
• New Westminster Victim Assistance Association - $60,000 to fund 24 hour-a-day front line support services for victims and witnesses of crime as well as their families. Caseworkers also accompany police to sudden death notifications, follow up with families after attempted suicides and provide on-site support following serious industrial accidents and residential evacuations.
• North Shore Restorative Justice Society - $30,000 toward its Restorative Justice Response Program that receives referrals for both youth and adults from the North Vancouver RCMP, West Vancouver Police Department, Bowen Island RCMP, Community Living BC, North Shore Disability Resource Centre, North Shore Canadian Mental Health Association, secondary and alternate schools and other community organizations.
• Victoria Restorative Justice Society - $46,000 toward its community based restorative justice program, which uses one-on-one meetings and creative restitution techniques to mediate conflict between victims and offenders.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602