Celebrating The Success of YARD With Alberta Justice and Solicitor General

The Calgary Police Service and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General are proud to celebrate the success of the Youth At Risk Development Program (YARD).

Established in 2006, the YARD program was created to address and proactively deal with youth ages 10 to 17, who are demonstrating gang-related behaviours, including a progression into criminal activity.

Since 2008, the Government of Alberta has recognized the importance and impact of the program through its financial support. The program has also received funding from the National Crime Prevention Centre.

“The YARD program is a great success story that, through funding from the province, will make a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth in Calgary,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister, Justice and Solicitor-General.

Today, Alberta Justice and Solicitor General has continued that ongoing support, through $330,000 in funding. This will support a detailed analysis of this successfully proven program, which will then allow for the ability of other organizations to adapt similar programs into the work they are doing.

“Identifying youth at risk and working with them and their families has proven to be invaluable in preventing them from falling into a life of crime, or becoming involved in gang activity,” say Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson.

Details of a media availability with Jonathan Denis, Minister, Justice and Solicitor General and Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson and a YARD guaduate will follow in a separate advisory.