The Abbotsford-based M2/W2 Association recently received a $75,000 grant for its No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) community reintegration program.
The grant was awarded by the provincial government through the Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation grant program.
M2/W2 executive director Raymond Robyn said the funding recognizes the organization’s efforts to make B.C. communities safer, and highlights the NOLA program’s model of providing practical support and mentorship to newly released parolees.
He said that, by building the capacity and independence of program participants, NOLA contributes to safe, crime-free reintegration into society.
“We are honoured to receive this grant. It will help bring potentially life-changing mentorship and support to more people transitioning from prison,” Robyn said.
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Relaunched as a pilot program in April 2021, NOLA operated for the previous three years as a research project, partially funded by the federal government.
During these three years, the project involved 53 participants and more than 80 volunteers.
In NOLA, each participant is connected with a volunteer-led circle, providing practical support in five key areas – housing, health, employment, education, and relationships.
NOLA was among 221 projects receiving one-time grants through the Crime Prevention and Remediation grant program for 2020-21. All said, the grants totalled $8.6 million for this year.
The Civil Forfeiture Office uses the proceeds of crime to fund programs that support crime prevention, restorative justice, Indigenous healing, and more.
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