To help support victims and prevent crime, the Ontario government is allocating up to $200,000 for Lennox & Addington Interval House. The funding is being provided through the Civil Remedies Grant Program. Funding will support Safe Trails, a pilot program that provides trauma-informed adventure therapy for youth aged 10 to 21 living in rural communities who have been impacted by intimate partner violence. This investment will support a range of activities, including outdoor retreats, weekly meetups, family days and educational workshops on healthy relationships.
Hastings – Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee remarked, “The L&A Interval House has been a strong advocate for victims of Intimate Partner Violence. I am incredibly happy that the Ministry of the Attorney General has awarded $200,000 to L&A Interval House to support the Safe Trails program, which will provide healing nature therapy, and help break the cycle, reducing further victimization.”
Through the 2026-28 Civil Remedies Grant Program, Ontario is allocating $5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to help 27 law enforcement agencies and community and Indigenous organizations fight crime and strengthen public safety across the province.
“Our government is protecting Ontario by using every available tool, including civil forfeiture, to help police and community partners confront and dismantle criminal networks that prey on our communities,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Crime should never pay, and these seized funds will help communities support victims of crime and break the cycle of offending.”
Funding through the Civil Remedies Grant Program is provided through the forfeiture of property or money that has been used for or results from crime.
Quick Facts
• In 2021, Ontario reinvested $1.5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to support 18 community projects focused on helping victims of crime and strengthening local crime prevention.
• Through the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act and related measures, Ontario is keeping communities safe and protecting victims of crime.
• Ontario is investing over $2.3 million over three years to expand access to the Independent Legal Advice program which provides free legal advice to victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, intimate partner violence and other sexual offences.
• Ontario is protecting young victims and witnesses of crime by investing $4.2 million to expand the Child Victim Witness Program to seven new communities.
• The Civil Remedies Grant Program is funded exclusively by assets seized and sold through the Civil and Administrative Forfeiture Program, including vehicles, luxury handbags, jewellery, cash and real estate.
Quotes
““Funding through the Civil Remedies Grant Program is an important investment in prevention and healing in Lennox and Addington. The Safe Trails project will provide trauma‑informed, outdoor‑based programming for youth impacted by intimate partner violence, helping them build resilience, develop healthy relationship skills, and reduce their risk of future victimization. We are grateful for this support, which will strengthen access to meaningful, innovative supports for young people and families in our community.”
– Jenny Crosby
Executive Director, Lennox & Addington Interval House
