Crime Prevention Yukon officially closed its doors Monday, handing its leftover cash to six Whitehorse nonprofits.
The organization, which operated since 1995, hit several roadblocks last year when Yukon Justice discontinued a large portion of its project funding and the group couldn’t recruit enough board members.
Holding back tears, treasurer Marlene Koppang addressed representatives from the Youth of Today Society, the Whitehorse Food Bank, the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon, the Citizens on Patrol and the Yukon Women’s Transition Home.
“This is really sad for me, but I’m happy for these other organizations,” said Koppang, handing over $10,000 cheques to each group.
A sixth group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which shared an office with the organization, also received a donation of furniture and office supplies.
“We had high hopes, lots of things could have come of (Crime Prevention Yukon),” said Wayne Belcaen of Citizens on Patrol.
“Someone up there (in the Yukon government) didn’t see eye-to-eye with us.
“I invite them to come ride with me for three to six hours (to see how important the group is).”
Friday evening, two volunteers from Citizens on Patrol rescued a 14-year-old boy who had passed out downtown and was covered by a foot of snow.
The absence of Crime Prevention Yukon will leave a big gap, said Koppang.
When the organization was in operation it funnelled a large portion of its almost $500,000 yearly budget to local nonprofits.
Monday, it did so for the last time.
“I hope with this donation that the food bank can alleviate crime, since we know that one of its causes is poverty,” said Whitehorse Food Bank treasurer Stephen Robertson.