Youth Engagement and Intervention Program

The Youth Engagement and Intervention Program, funded by the Public Safety of Canada addresses the community needs in the Regional Municipality of Durham by providing targeted supports that reduce risk factors and increase protective factors for vulnerable children and youth. The project design will incorporate family support to ensure that the home environment promotes the overall goal of preventing youth from engaging in criminal activity.  

The aim of the project is to create spaces for children and youth to address pro-criminal attitudes and enhance pro-social ones. This will include a SNAP® Program, Reintegration Program, Civic Engagement Program, and Mentorship Program. 

The project will also enhance family functioning and systems through parenting support groups and engage youth in pro-social activities and community service through recreational, discussion, and volunteer groups. 

The project will work in collaboration with partners throughout the region.  The Youth Engagement and Intervention Program will engage a variety of sectors including child welfare, education, healthcare, and criminal justice. This multisectoral approach will ensure that the project reaches youth with the highest need of support by identifying youth participants, ensuring their home and school environments are set up for successful outcomes, providing intervention support to those already involved in the criminal justice system, and re-integrating them into the community.