Kelowna has been chosen to participate in a first-of-its-kind, worldwide safety monitoring pilot project.

含羞草研究社淚n May, the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCSC) selected Kelowna as one of 10 pilot cities for the Community and Urban Safety Monitoring Project,含羞草研究社� Caycee Zimmerman, community safety advisor, told council at its June 17 meeting.

The CCSC promotes safety and well-being through research, training and education. The announcement was part of the annual update on the city含羞草研究社檚 Community Safety Plan (CSP). 

The CSP focuses on five priorities; crime prevention and intervention, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, mental health and substance use, and racism and discrimination. 

Stakeholders include the city, RCMP, KCR Community Resources, Central Okanagan Public Schools, The Bridge, Canadian Mental Health Association and others.

Zimmerman told council that of the 30 actions that are part of the CSP, 12 are at various stages of implementation and completion.

含羞草研究社淐SP action enabled BGC Okanagan to increase grant funding available to the Upstream Program,含羞草研究社� Zimmerman said.

The program, which is in three Kelowna middle schools, strives to prevent youth homelessness by identifying at-risk Grade 8 students.

含羞草研究社淥f the 158 participants, 93 per cent report an improvement in their mental health and well-being,含羞草研究社� Zimmerman added.

The program impressed Councillor Mohini Singh.

含羞草研究社淲onderful. Catch them when they含羞草研究社檙e young, get them on their feet, and give them all the supports they need.含羞草研究社�

The CSP update is available on the .