Durham Police Receive nearly $390,000 in provincial funding to support an important initiative aimed at safeguarding vulnerable youth in the region. The funds, granted through the Victim Support Grant program, will be dedicated to Project RISE (Resilience, Intervention, Support, and Engagement for Vulnerable Youth), which is a collaborative effort between Durham Police and local organizations, including Victim Services of Durham Region, Bethesda House, and the Durham Children’s Aid Society.
Project RISE is designed to address the growing concern of youth victimization by enhancing several key initiatives: the Missing Persons Project, the Human Trafficking Crisis Counsellor program, and the establishment of a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. These projects will work together to improve early intervention, provide coordinated responses for at-risk youth, and offer essential support for affected young people and their families.
Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Project R.I.S.E. reflects our shared commitment to protecting young people and supporting them at critical moments in their lives. This funding will strengthen proven initiatives that respond directly to the needs of at-risk youth, from missing persons and human trafficking to trauma-informed advocacy and early intervention.”
The initiative is part of a broader effort across Ontario, where the provincial government is providing funding for various projects targeting youth victimization, human trafficking, mental health, addiction issues, and gun violence. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, also the MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, highlighted the significant impact these programs will have, stating, “By investing in programs that address youth victimization and human trafficking, this funding strengthens the frontline response across Durham Region. Projects like R.I.S.E. show how targeted funding and strong local partnerships can protect vulnerable youth and deliver real results for families.”
The Victim Support Grant program aims to support police services as they collaborate with community-based agencies to create new initiatives or enhance existing supports. Sydney Marcoux, Executive Director of Victim Services of Durham Region, praised the collective work of the partners, noting, “Every day, we see the powerful impact that coordinated responses can have in the lives of young people who are at risk or experiencing crisis. We are building a stronger safety net, one that responds early, supports recovery, and empowers youth on their path to resilience.”
Bethesda House Executive Director Riley Spigarelli echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the project’s capacity to provide swift support when it is most needed. “Project R.I.S.E. gives us the flexibility and capacity to deliver support quickly,” Spigarelli added.
This new funding is part of a larger investment in public safety and community health, with Durham Regional Police having already received over $16 million in provincial funding since 2018 for similar initiatives.
