Our
Community Safety and Well-being Plan continues to bring together local partners to work on issues that impact the health, safety and well-being of our community. Keeping children, youth and young adults engaged, healthy and safe is an important aspect of this work.
I am pleased to share we are now accepting applications for the
Building Safer Communities in Halton Grant, which will provide funding for community-based prevention and intervention programs that address gun and gang violence among children, youth and young adults.
In 2022, Public Safety Canada introduced the
Building Safer Communities Fund (external link), announcing investments of $250 million to help communities tackle the root causes of gun and gang violence across Canada. Halton Region will distribute up to $2.4 million between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2026 to eligible local organizations. Thank you to our Federal partners at Public Safety Canada for funding this important initiative in Halton and across the country.
While Halton has a low rate of gun and gang violence, this issue crosses municipal borders and local programs are critical to keeping all communities safe. I encourage local organizations that meet eligibility requirements to apply for this funding.
Grant applications are being accepted
until September 22, 2023. To be eligible for the
grant, your organization must:
- support children, youth and young adults (ages 6 – 29) in evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies;
- align with priority program types in application guidelines (e.g., counselling, harm reduction, supportive housing, etc.);
- align with priority themes in application guidelines (e.g., preventing and addressing human trafficking, developing and supporting positive coping skills, etc.);
- provide services to Halton residents;
- ensure equitable and inclusive service delivery to support diverse, equity-deserving or marginalized populations and;
- be incorporated as a non-profit organization, registered charity, or a First Nations, Metis or Inuit band.
The Region will also be hosting three information sessions to help community organizations learn about the grant and the application process:
- Session 1: Wednesday, September 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Virtual)
- Session 2: Thursday, September 7, 6 to 8 p.m. (Virtual)
- Session 3: Friday, September 8, 2 to 4 p.m. (In-person – Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville)
To apply or learn more, please visit the
Community Safety and Well-Being page on
halton.ca. To attend a session, please register by emailing
buildingsafercommunities@halton.ca.
By coming together and supporting our children, youth and young adults, we are keeping Halton the safest place to live, work, raise a family and retire.