Miywasin likely to apply once again for crime reduction funding

By Jeremy Appel on September 7, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

Medicine Hat’s Miywasin Friendship Centre is likely to apply for this year’s crime reduction grant, according to its youth co-ordinator.

The Miywasin Centre received funds as part of last year’s grant, which lasts two years, but Carol Syrette says they will apply again so they can having funding for the next two years.

The funds come from seizures of the proceeds of crime — intended to make criminal activity unprofitable.

Miywasin received the funding last year due to its emphasis on preventing crime, as well as rehabilitating those who were previously involved in it.

“We want to provide a space for youth, so we’re reducing the chance of them even getting involved in criminal activity,” said Syrette.

To that effect, the centre offers physical activities, teaching on Indigenous culture and many social opportunities for youth, which Syrette describes as the “proactive piece.”

They also offer opportunities for those who’ve been convicted of crimes to work their community service hours, sometimes as an alternative to other measures, such as fines.

Miywasin’s intake process involves the use of a “medicine wheel,” which allows applicants to divide their strengths into four quadrants — mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

“It’s really helpful to find out what youth expect from attending their hours,” said Syrette. “We all have a medicine wheel within ourselves. We’re always striving for balance.”

The centre then works with the youth to create a program “meaningful to them.”

They also offer a “teen kitchen” program that teaches participants life skills, which Syrette described as a fan favourite.

“You come in, do a sharing circle … and then they make a meal,” said Syrette. “Everybody’s involved with the meal and then we all sit down and eat like a big family.

“We’ve had many youth come back as adults (to) volunteer.”

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