“Combining these initiatives with the wide range of supports and services already provided to at-risk children and youth will enhance opportunities for young people to make positive choices in their lives that will ultimately benefit the whole community,” said Janis Tarchuk, Minister of Children and Youth Services. “It also supports our ministry mandate to improve access to programs for at-risk youth and to enhance services for Albertans affected by family violence.”

The Burns Memorial Fund is receiving more than $1.12 million to launch RADAR: Re-engaging Academically Disconnected Adolescents Respectfully, a project that will provide homeless youth aged 13-15 access to flexible educational programming, physical and mental health services, role models, shelter, food and clothing. The goals of this initiative are to provide these youth with a sense of belonging and support their positive behaviour and development.

Hull Child and Family Services is being given $492,000 to pilot the New Road project, a community-police partnership designed to prevent at-risk children aged 7-11 from entering the criminal justice or child welfare systems by working with them and their families to promote positive social behaviour and develop their coping skills.

The Poverty Reduction Coalition will receive $300,000 to provide intensive support to mothers in an effort to break the cycle of poverty, violence, addictions, isolation and enhance their parenting skills so they and their children are at less risk of engaging in crime or delinquency.