The City of Prince George is receiving $1.8 million over four years from the federal government through the Building Safer Community Fund.
The money is being used to implement the Strength Through Resilience and Independence Via Empowerment or STRIVE Program.
The STRIVE program is an in-school program for youth that provides awareness of gang life, gun violence, drugs and alcohol awareness, restorative justice principles and online safety.
“It’s from this program that the STRIVE program cohort of 15 to 20 youth will be selected from and will continue together through grades 8 to 12, with a new cohort being selected every grade eight year for the duration of the federal grant,” said Manager of Police Support Services Devon Cooper.
The after-school community-based program aims to strengthen and empower youth through team building, recreational activities, community mentorship, experiential learning, and culturally focused activities.
The program is designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem, to enhance academic performance, and expose youth to post-secondary opportunities.
“If we can get to some of these young folks before the gang members do, because they know which ones are vulnerable, they know which ones they can target to carry out some of their dirty work,” said Councillor Brian Skakun.
“It’s going to change people’s lives.”
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