Federal Grant Supports Youth Gang Prevention Project

The Joy Smith Foundation receives $1.6 million to help at-risk individuals in Manitoba and Alberta avoid criminal activity.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Youth

Bold vector editorial illustration of a young sapling growing from a stone block, representing youth support and resilience. — The Joy Smith Foundation has received a $1.6 million federal grant to launch a youth gang prevention project in Canada. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe government funding for youth gang prevention programs makes your community safer?

The federal government has awarded $1.6 million to the Joy Smith Foundation to launch a project aimed at preventing youth gang involvement. This initiative supports at-risk individuals aged 12 to 30 through a new programme titled Limitless Futures: Empowering Youth Against Crime.

Why it matters

The funding addresses the root causes of violence and criminal activity by providing targeted support to vulnerable youth. This project seeks to divert individuals from gang life by offering trauma-informed resources in detention centres, group homes, and schools.

The federal government awarded $1.6 million to support the Limitless Futures: Empowering Youth Against Crime project. This initiative targets youth aged 12 to 30 residing in Manitoba and Alberta.

The players

Joy Smith Foundation

Established in 2011, this organisation works to combat human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and forced labour.

The details

The project will deliver weekly trauma-informed workshops in schools, group homes, and youth detention centres. These efforts are designed to help participants overcome specific challenges that often lead to gang involvement and criminal activity.

The Joy Smith Foundation was established in 2011.
The federal funding announcement occurred on October 15, 2026.

Culture Shift

This project represents an expansion of the federal Youth Gang Prevention Fund which provides resources to community-based organisations across the country. It follows the pattern set by this fund of investing in localised non-profit interventions to address youth social challenges.

Residents in Manitoba and Alberta may see an increase in trauma-informed programming within local schools and youth centres. These resources are intended to provide immediate support systems to help youth avoid potential gang recruitment and criminal lifestyles.

The takeaway

Empowering youth through trauma-informed workshops offers a proactive approach to reducing long-term crime rates. Communities can support these initiatives by engaging with local non-profit outreach programs designed to provide guidance for at-risk individuals.