The federal government will give $1.1 million to the City of Maple Ridge and the local RCMP detachment in an effort to keeps kids out of gangs, and out of trouble.
The Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) money will extend the RISE initiative, a city-led effort focused on “reducing youth vulnerability, strengthening resilience and preventing youth violence,” said the city in a press release on July 28.
Maple Ridge is one of several communities receiving BSCF funding, announced July 27 by Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety Canada, to support locally designed prevention and intervention initiatives that address the root causes of gun and gang violence.
Launched in April 2023 with a $1.8 million grant, RISE brings together the city, RCMP, schools, health care providers and local service agencies to support young people through early intervention, prevention programs, community engagement and education.
The renewed three-year funding will allow the effort to continue.
“We are grateful to Public Safety Canada for this continued investment in Maple Ridge and for recognizing the success and importance of this work,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “This funding allows us to build on the real difference that RISE, our flagship program, is making for young people and families in our community. By bringing together the city, RCMP, schools, health care providers and community organizations, we are reducing risk, strengthening resilience and helping youth make positive choices. Extending this program means we can continue that momentum and keep investing in prevention, early intervention and the long-term well-being of our community.”
The partnership between city hall and police supports a coordinated approach to addressing the root causes of youth violence and helping young people make positive life choices.
“This collaboration between the city and the RCMP gives us a unique opportunity to support vulnerable youth earlier and more effectively,” said Supt. Martin Guay, Officer in Charge of Maple Ridge RCMP. “By working with community service agencies, we can provide individualized support, strengthen referral pathways and help families and youth build the resilience they need to move forward in a positive way.”
The three-year plan will continue to focus on programs, services and partnerships that prioritize safety, wellness, inclusion and positive connection for youth in Maple Ridge through the FYRST (Family & Youth Resource Support Team) program, which anchors intervention with a youth and family counsellor, youth outreach worker and RCMP youth liaison officers integrated into city operations.
Updates on the progress and plans for the renewed project will be shared later this year.
Since launching in April 2023, RISE reached nearly 8,000 children, youth, families, service providers and community members through intervention, prevention, education and engagement activities, said the city.
Youth risk levels decreased significantly between intake and file closure, with high-risk cases dropping from 14 per cent to 6 per cent, and moderate-risk cases from 49 per cent to 20 per cent.
The program also helped reduce the demand on police resources, with average monthly RCMP hours per youth decreasing by 71 per cent after program involvement.
In addition, the initiative supported 89 youth and caregivers through intervention services, delivered more than 2,000 hours of prevention programming and trained 219 service providers to improve knowledge, coordination and collaboration.