Image: Archway Community Services / Wanda Phillips and Manpreet Sarai of In It Together, an anti-gang program in Abbotsford, are pictured. Archway Community Services says In It Together is at risk of closure after government funding has dried up. A 5-year grant from the federal government ended in 2018, and there has been reduced funding from the provincial government to make up for the shortfall.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Abbotsford anti-gang program may fold

Abbotsford anti-gang program at risk of closing again after govt. funding ends

Jun 21, 2023 | 10:27 AM

ABBOTSFORD — In It Together (IIT), a gang and crime prevention program for youth run by Archway Community Services in Abbotsford, says it is at risk of closing its doors again after its government funding ended.

In a news release from the Abbotsford-based non-profit agency, Archway Community Services says the program has struggled to secure consistent and sustainable funding since 2018 when a 5-year federal grant from the Ministry of Public Safety ended.

Provincial funding allowed the program to stay open from 2019 to 2022 but at a significantly reduced rate. United Way of BC also provided large grants that that helped maintain services, especially between funding cycles.

“It’s been a constant struggle to secure sustainable funding for this vital prevention work,” said Wanda Phillips, an IIT supervisor. “It’s disappointing, especially considering the high need for crime-diversion programs for youth in Abbotsford.”

In It Together seeks to disrupt the flow of youth into gangs, crime and negative lifestyles through one-to-one interventions and working with their families. IIT uses a youth-centred approach which allows youth to have a voice and create goals for multiple areas of their life.

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Archway staff support youth at risk of gang or crime involvement due to family ties, suspected drug use or previous trauma. They also work with youth already criminally involved, on probation, or facing charges.

“Sometimes youth can’t see a positive path forward without some help,” said Phillips.

Youth probation officer Julie Rushton shares that she “can see the truly amazing benefit that these youth have derived from having a healthy relationship with such positive mentors.”

Youth are paired with a support worker with a similar background where possible and the South Asian Community Resource Office (SACRO) side of the IIT program focusses on South Asian youth and their families.

“SACRO provides vital support to South Asian youth and their families, particularly in Abbotsford where the risks of recruitment and other negative influences are high,” said Pavan Jawanda, a Social Worker with the Abbotsford Youth Team.

Since the program began in 2013, staff have provided prevention, intervention and re-entry support for more than 1,500 at-risk youth and their family members.

“Organized crime and gangs are ongoing issues that need attention and resources where youth are offered a path away from organized crime,” said Manpreet Sarai, SACRO Supervisor. “Archway wants to keep being part of the solution and we know that our In It Together program has seen consistent results and changed lives.”

A Project Impact evaluation showed that youth participants had an 89 per cent reduction in criminal activity and substantially less substance use.

IIT works with youth as young as 11 and up to age 25. Chief Dan George middle school counsellor Jason Hawkins says middle school is a “critical time that we see students start to make positive and negative decisions that can have significant impact on their high school years and beyond. I have seen kids that feel utterly disenfranchised from their school community feel seen for the first time. Those bonds are absolutely crucial for kids when their only other option is gang involvement and/or criminal activity.”

While the current government funding has ended, Archway staff aren’t ready to abandon the high-risk youth in their program. They’re referring clients to other Archway services where possible and keeping a skeleton crew while they pursue other avenues for government funding. IIT is currently supporting 60 youth, with another 20 on the waitlist. 150 youth received IIT services in the last fiscal year.

Ben Vegt is a guardianship social worker though the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society. He says there are very few outreach workers equipped to deal with high-risk youth in Abbotsford and worries what will happen if the program shuts down.

“I know firsthand that there are life-or death consequences when we don’t have people looking out for these particular youth. I am afraid of what could happen without our IIT workers,” Vegt said.

IIT staff encourage those concerned about community safety to contact their elected officials and voice their support for this crucial program for youth.

Donations are also accepted at Archway.ca/IIT-Donate

“We’ve seen the emotional and financial cost of gang conflicts locally and know that prevention is possible, less expensive and better for the entire community,” said Sarai.