Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda of the ongoing work being done under the National Violence Reduction Strategy, and in particular, the financial support we have provided to community-based organisations that are contributing meaningfully to violence prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.
Mr. Speaker, as outlined in the National Violence Reduction Strategy, we are committed to a multifaceted approach to reducing violence in our community, particularly gang and youth violence, by addressing root causes and investing in prevention. This includes strengthening community resilience, increasing access to mental health services, enhancing early intervention, and promoting positive alternatives for our young people.
To that end, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of National Security has disbursed grant funding totalling more than five hundred and forty thousand dollars ($540,000) to a range of community-based organisations whose missions align with the goals of the Strategy. These organisations include sports clubs, community support programmes, youth mentorship groups, and education-focused initiatives. This funding reflects a collective effort across many community organisations, and I will speak to the types of initiatives it is helping to advance.
Mr. Speaker, the largest portion of the grant funding, approximately two hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars ($288,000), has gone to sports clubs across the island. These grants support structured programmes that engage young people in positive, skill-building activities and provide safe spaces for recreation, mentorship, and community building. These clubs are not just centres for athletic excellence. They are hubs of leadership development, social connection, and resilience. As the Strategy highlights, involvement in organised sports can reduce idle time, foster positive peer networks, and increase a sense of purpose among our youth.
Mr. Speaker, another one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000) has been allocated to community support organisations that provide critical services ranging from transitional housing to trauma-informed care. These groups work directly with individuals and families affected by violence and provide a bridge to stability through counselling, case management, and basic needs support. Their contributions are essential in the rehabilitation and reintegration goals of our Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, we have also invested more than eighty-four thousand dollars ($84,000) in education-centred initiatives, including those focused on academic support and skills development. Educational opportunity is a powerful protective factor against violence. By funding programmes that offer tutoring, career planning, and vocational exposure, we are supporting the long-term success of young people who might otherwise be vulnerable to antisocial influences.
And finally, nearly thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) has been dedicated to youth mentorship programmes that foster positive identity, self-confidence, and leadership skills. These initiatives often pair young people with trusted adult mentors who provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. Research shows that these relationships can have a lasting impact on a young person’s ability to make positive life choices.
Mr. Speaker, each of these grants is more than a financial transaction. It is a strategic investment in peacebuilding. These community-based programmes align with our National Strategy’s emphasis on prevention, intervention, and integration. They represent our belief that the people closest to the problems are also closest to the solutions.
Violence prevention is not the work of government alone. It is a shared responsibility that requires us to work hand in hand with the community. Through these grants, we are resourcing trusted partners to do what they do best – engage hearts, change minds, and build a safer Bermuda from the ground up.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of National Security remains committed to strengthening and expanding these partnerships. We are actively reviewing the outcomes of funded programmes to inform future funding cycles, with a focus on sustainability, evidence-based practices, and measurable impact. We are also exploring opportunities to support new and emerging community efforts, particularly those that address mental health, education access, mentorship, and trauma-informed care.
In the months to come, we will be engaging stakeholders in a broader conversation about how to deepen coordination across agencies, expand public awareness of violence prevention resources, and ensure that young people, especially those most at risk, have clear and supported pathways to success.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank all of the organisations who have applied for and received funding. Their commitment to uplifting their communities is commendable. The Ministry of National Security will continue to monitor the impact of these grants and ensure that public funds are used effectively and responsibly to support the national mission of violence reduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.