Since 2020 there have been a total of 4,472 police related occurrences involving youth, which represents 7% of the service’s calls for police service. Between 2020 and 2022 police have observed a 55% increase in youth incidents. 

The top 4 occurrences are categorized as Trouble with Youth, Assault, Disturbing the peace and mischief. Trouble with youth can be a number of items. Youths lingering, youths being noisy or acting out, youth causing issues at school, unruly behavior, drug usage, and parents calling in problems with their kids.  And this has more than doubled since 2020. So has Assault. Part of the cause that has been identified by stakeholder, local officers and youth is the lack of activities for youth to participate in or spaces they can spend time in without being trespassed. A Youth Advisory Council has been formed with the Cornwall Police Services Youth Officer, to help guide the implementation of a Cornwall Youth Space at Alexander Park. The Youth Council will also serve as the Application Review Committee and will be scoring the submissions for this Micro-grant to ensure the successful project and programs are those that are of interest to local youth and teens. Please take this into consideration when completing the application.

The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has awarded the City of Cornwall a Building Safer Communities Fund for a 3 and a half year period. The objective of the fund is to support Municipalities and Indigenous governments in their efforts to address gun and gang prevalence by providing a determined funding allocation to put in place community led projects to combat gun and gang violence. Our community has identified a focus on our youth to prevent future gun and gang violence. Whether in the preventive or intervention stages this micro grant can provide your organization funds to start up a new program or continue an underfunded service. 

Example programs: Recreation, art or culture programs available at no cost to at-risk youth, training opportunities, youth employment initiatives, mental health and resilience programs, after school program, life skills development training and much more.   

Grant Criteria:

  • Non-profit organization or community group. The Social Development Council can support community groups without non-profit status to ensure the project is delivered. (Ex: Cultural group hosting youth picnic/activities)
  • Serves the youth of the City of Cornwall
  • Must be a new or existing project/program/event. Can not fund regular operations.
  • Your application must explain how your program will prevent youth from engaging in unlawful activity.
  • If you are applying as a non-profit organization you must have financial records for the previous fiscal year.
  • Must apply by August 4th, 2023
  • Must provide programming with funds fully used by March 31st, 2024.
  • Must submit project report with provided template by April 30th, 2024. Template can be found below.

Grant Contributions

  • Non-profit organizations can apply for a maximum amount of $10,000.00.
  • Community Organizations can apply for up to $1,000.00

To apply please

Any questions can be directed to Melanie Boileau at [email protected] 

Download the Project Budget Template (.XLSX) here