Re: Grant not serving community (Readers Write, Chilliwack Progress, Feb. 27).
It is unfortunate that a widely supported program promising to help nearly 200 at risk youth in our community is being unfairly maligned before it even gets off the ground simply because of the mailing address of the organization that will oversee the program.
Our Conservative government has always supported crime prevention projects and invests only in those programs that have demonstrated effectiveness. The Learning to Lead program announced in Chilliwack is based on the Leadership and Resiliency Program model.
According to the latest statistics available from Public Safety Canada, this model has been found to help at risk youth:
• Reduce school suspensions by 75%
• Reduce juvenile arrests by 47%
• Increase school attendance between 60% and 70%; and
• Dramatically increase high school graduation rates.
Since the creation of the Crime Prevention Action Fund in 2008, $178.1 million in funding has been approved for 214 projects in communities across Canada. Through the National Crime Prevention Centre, any agency – including those based in and serving the Chilliwack area – are always welcome to apply for available funding. If those organizations would like assistance with their applications, my office stands ready to assist.
I will continue to focus on delivering real results for the people of Chilliwack and am glad to support time tested, results based programs like this one, which will benefit our at risk youth.
Mark Strahl, MP
Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon