Through the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust, nine community-led projects received $407,974 during the spring 2024 funding intake, the Yukon government said recently.
The funding helps organizations develop projects that strengthen the health and wellness of Yukoners while building safer, more connected communities.
The projects aim to improve safety and prevent crime through a variety of community-led and creative solutions. The local organizations focus on improving Yukon communities by addressing the root causes of crime and supporting those who have been victimized.
The nine grant recipients and their projects are:
Carcross/Tagish First Nation, $32,028 for its monthly Land-based Group for Men project. It provides a safe space for men to grow and learn together, and ultimately become better men and community members.
The Council of Yukon First Nations, $59,444 for its project Family Violence Prevention Conference. The CYFN plans to host a large-scale conference featuring high-profile speakers who will address emerging and long-standing issues pertaining to gender-based violence and family violence.
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society (FASSY), $123,006 for its Peer Support Worker Program. To bolster access to FASSY services, it will hire a peer support worker (with lived experience of FASD) and a peer support to provide one-on-one support outside of regular business hours to those living with the disability.
Larrikin Entertainment Ensemble, $22,500 for their project called Further Development of WYRD – A Musical Unfairytale. They will work on the re-development of this musical play that was originally developed and produced as Blocked, a musical about domestic abuse and was partially funded by CPVST.
Thay K’i Anint’i, $44,352 for “Still Here” Recovery Training – Train the Trainer. The project is designed in response to the current Substance Use Health Emergency and limited after-care resources in the territory. They will provide five-day Train the Trainer education to three people from Old Crow, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Carmacks and Carcross.
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, $37,400 for its project Vuntut Gwitchin Youth Summit, a five-day youth wellness week focused on empowering youth, healing and wellness, cultural identity, traditional knowledge and skills, leadership development and team building.
Yukon Circle of Social Change Society, $13,783 for the Restorative Justice Response to Complex and Sensitive Cases, a two-part project.
First: to bring outside expert Chantal Calkin to Whitehorse to deliver training in restorative practices for complex and sensitive cases.
Secondly: to facilitate a train the trainer session for current Level 3 facilitators, to create a Yukon-based restorative practices program for complex and sensitive cases best suited to the Yukon context and have this training available locally.
Yukon Learn Society, $54,461 for its project Cybersecurity Awareness for Yukoners. Designed to bridge the knowledge gap for those with limited computer backgrounds, the group will offer free entry-level security courses to Yukoners. Courses will introduce concepts of cybersecurity and allow participants to recognize online threats and learn how to better protect themselves.
Yukon Theatre for Young People, $21,000 for their project 2024 Summer Youth Creation five nights a week throughout the summer months. This program will provide supervised and constructive arts-based activities during the evening hours to divert youth from drug and alcohol consumption.
“The board of trustees would like to thank all the applicants for their commitment to developing high-quality, innovative projects across the Yukon that act on issues of victimization and crime,” said Lareina Twardochleb, the trust’s chair.
“We are proud to continue supporting local solutions and are inspired by these initiatives in our communities.”
“These initiatives demonstrate incredible ingenuity in providing valuable contributions to crime prevention and services for victims at a grassroots level,” added Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.
“Our government remains committed to community safety, and encourages Yukoners who want to initiate positive change in the territory to apply for the fall funding intake.”
The next application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 15. Guidance on applying for funding is available at https://yukon.ca/en/crime-prevention-victim-services-trust.
Proposals are reviewed by the trust’s board of trustees.
Funding applications are accepted from First Nations and municipal governments, non-profit organizations and school councils or boards. Eligible costs may include wages or honouraria, materials, rental costs, promotional materials and printing.
