Building Safer Communities

The Building Safer Communities Program aims to prevent youth ages 6 to 25 from becoming involved in gun and gang violence through community-based prevention and intervention strategies and initiatives. The Building Safer Communities Fund is a nationwide program that is part of Public Safety Canada’s initiative to build a safe and resilient Canada through the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV).

In collaboration with community partners and youth-serving organizations, the City of Brantford’s Building Safer Communities: Action Plan 2024-2026 was developed in consultation with the Brantford Police Service and Laurier’s Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP). Incorporating input from a wide range of stakeholders, the Action Plan aims to increase support systems for youth by:

  • Engaging youth vulnerable to marginalization and social isolation
  • Providing support for youth who may be at higher risk
  • Raising community awareness of available supports and services
  • Fostering a sense of belonging and introducing youth to positive relationships and experiences

These initiatives, funded by the Building Safer Communities Fund, aim to enhance community capacity by implementing targeted strategies that address the root causes of youth violence.

Working with community partners to improve outcomes for youth is a key objective of both the City of Brantford’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan and Empowering Youth Strategy.

 

Youth at Risk of Gun and Gang Violence
Actions within this Focus Area are intended to identify and support youth that may be at greater risk of gun and gang involvement. This will include programs to support mental health and well-being, expand social development, and enhance youth connection to services and community resources.
Support the Unique Need of Youth
The Actions within this Focus Area are intended to engage youth from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives that may be at greater risk of marginalization or social isolation because of race, culture, identity or other factors. These programs will aim to foster a positive sense of self- identity, promote community connection and cultural learning.
Education and Awareness
The Actions within this Focus Area are intended to create community awareness about how to prevent youth involvement in violence and crime. These programs will include campaigns targeted at youth, families, service providers and community.

 

Programs & Initiatives

The Building Safer Community project plan, and its many initiatives, are the result of collaborative efforts through community partners who are committed to serving youth of various ages, backgrounds and needs to make access to programs and services more accessible.

Upcoming programs and initiatives supported through Building Safer Communities:

YES (Youth Engagement Series) Program 

Beginning mid-November 2024, this program offers youth ages 12-18 space to engage in sports-based recreation activities, while also gaining valuable knowledge on critical safety topics. These sessions will cover subjects such as healthy relationships, online safety, substance use, and the dangers of gangs and gun violence, with local law enforcement officers joining in to build trust and foster positive relationships with young people.

This weekly registered drop-in will run in blocks of six weekly 2 hour sessions at Laurier Brantford YMCA. To register, email Megan Potvin at megan.potvin@ymcahbb.ca or call 226-208-0852.

This initiative is a collaboration between the City of Brantford, YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford, and Brantford Police Services.
Youth Connect
  • Youth Connect is a free weekly drop-in peer mentorship program run in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier’s CARE Lab. This program was co-designed by youth and features opportunities for youth to participate in recreational activities paired with skill-building in areas such as: Coping with stress in healthy ways, healthy relationships, affirming positive sense of self, and mindfulness practices. Opportunities to access homework help from older youth mentors.
  • For more information about how to access this weekly drop-in program, please email Danielle Law at dlaw@wlu.ca
PreVenture
  • PreVenture is an evidence-based program run in partnership with Woodview Mental Health and autism support, which utilizes personality-based programming to help youth cultivate resilience, and learn healthy coping skills to prevent substance use. 
  • Register here for the upcoming November PreVenture session being held Thursday, November 7th and Thursday, November 14th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
  • For more information about PreVenture, please email jscarlett@woodview.ca 
Pathways
  • Pathways, run in partnership with Community Living Brant, is a person-centered intensive outreach program connecting precariously housed and unhoused youth to essential supports and services
  • The Pathways program can be reached Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 519-756-2662, or attending any upcoming outreach spots. For more information, follow the Community Living Brant Facebook page or email christinalauricella@clbrant.com
Annual Community Connections Conference
  • The Community Connections Conference, hosted by Wilfrid Laurier’s CARE Lab brings youth, parents, youth-serving providers and youth-focused researchers together to share knowledge and work together on issues of importance to Brantford youth.
  • For more information, please email careevents@wlu.ca or register online.

Empowering Youth Strategy

The Empowering Youth Strategy 2022-2024 aims to ensure youth have opportunities to thrive in the City of Brantford. The strategy highlights 3 key youth priority areas: Diversity and Inclusion, Community Programs, and Leadership and Impact.

To measure ongoing progress and success, the Empowering Youth Strategy commits to tracking and measuring the following metrics:

  • Increase the # of programs designed by youth.
  • Increase the # of youth participating in municipal sport and recreation.
  • Increase the # of youth participating in municipal arts and culture programming.
  • Increase the # of youth participating in municipal leadership programming.
  • Increase the # of youth volunteering with the City of Brantford 

Brantford Youth Council

Are you between the ages of 13 to 18 and want to have a say in your community? The Brantford Youth Council (BYC) plans and implements activities, special events and community impact projects throughout the year such as Youth Week, youth advocacy, and youth-oriented community initiatives. By participating in BYC you can gain important skills and experiences in leadership, collaboration, project management and community impact.

If you are interested in joining the Council, please fill out the Brantford Youth Council Application Form. Participation in the BYC meetings and events is eligible for community volunteer hours.

Email us for more information and follow us on Instagram for up-to-date information about upcoming events.

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