News release

Program Steers Youth Away from Criminal Activity

Justice

NOTE: A fact sheet about the Lighthouses Program is available at http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/prevention/lighthouse_grants.asp

Five new partners have signed on to the Lighthouses Program to help keep youth from becoming involved in crime Justice Minister Ross Landry announced today, April 4.

From building a mural for the Supreme Court to getting after school support with math and reading, Lighthouses Program partners offer many activities to keep young people away from crime.

"The Lighthouses Program is a wonderful example of how a relatively small investment in a few organizations can impact communities around the province," said Mr. Landry. "It really is making a difference in the lives of many youth and their families, and it's strengthening their bonds with the community."

The new partners complete government's commitment of 20 renewable partnerships, at $12,000 each, for a total investment of $240,000.

The five organizations to be awarded funding under the program this year include:

  • Eight Street After School Club, New Waterford
  • Maggie's Place Youth Programs, Amherst
  • Empowerful Program for Youth, Halifax
  • Annapolis County Cops N' Kids Program, Bridgetown
  • Name the Shame Project, sponsored by South Shore Regional School Board, Bridgewater.

Eight Street After School Club offers after school recreational and social development activities for youth ages 5 to 12, as well as summer programs.

"I've been a police officer for 44 years and have done all sorts of things in crime prevention, but I've never seen a program as important as the Eight street after school program," said Community Policing Officer Cst. Hank Lammond. "This program is actually making a difference in the outcomes ahead for these kids. That helping hand matters."

The 2009-10 and 2010-11 Lighthouses Program partners recently submitted annual progress reports. All programs were successful in meeting their established goals and had great participation from local youth and other community partners.

In total, there were more than 1,300 youth visits per month and more than 80 formal partnerships formed with other community organizations, local police, mental health programs and local business leaders.

For more information and a complete list of Lighthouses Program partners, visit www.gov.ns.ca/justice

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