Federal government commits $5.2 million to youth gang prevention in Edmonton

EDMONTON – In hopes of keeping at-risk youth from transitioning into a life of crime, the federal government has committed $5.2 million to a new gang prevention program in Edmonton.

WrapED, which will be run by REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities, will provide support to youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are most vulnerable to involvement with gangs.

“One of our key priorities is keeping our streets and communities safe,” said Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health, and Edmonton-Spruce Grove MP. “This new project holds great promise and we believe that this is an important investment into the future of our community and the future of our youth.”

“This $5.2 million is going to go a very long way in our community to ensuring that those youth-at-risk have some new opportunities, some positive interaction,” said Mayor Don Iveson.

WrapED is a partnership between the Africa Centre, the Edmonton John Howard Society, the Edmonton Police Service, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, REACH Edmonton and YOUCAN.

The community-based project will focus on about 180 youth from Aboriginal and refugee communities. It will provide education and counselling programs, while increasing cultural and community connections. It’s hoped WrapED will help youth avoid gang and crime related activities.

“When youth are engaged in healthy activities and making smart choices, they can avoid a life of crime and make a positive contribution to their communities,” Ambrose said during a media conference Friday.

Those involved say the cultural aspect of the program will be imperative in addressing the unique needs of Edmonton’s diverse population.

“Loss of identity is a major driving factor for African kids that pushes them to join gangs,” said Tesfaye Ayanaw, the Executive Director of the Africa Centre. “What this program gives us is to reach out to source young people that have already joined the gang culture and to try to rehabilitate them.”

“If you take a look, there are vulnerable youth from mainstream. But the added flavor here was that there is a changing face in Edmonton and we do want to recognize that changing face. And so we are embracing immigrant, refugee and aboriginal youth as part of the program,” added Lindsay Daniller, Director of Community Initiatives with REACH Edmonton.

The program launched in October 2013. The $5.2 million has been committed over the next five years.

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With files from Shannon Greer, Global News.