Federal $2.2 million funds Empire Fighting Chance boxing program for at-risk Edmonton youth

Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced $2.2 million in federal funding Wednesday for Empire Fighting Chance, a non-contact boxing program designed to reduce violence and gang involvement among at-risk youth in Edmonton.

The funding flows through the Crime Prevention Action Fund to REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities, which operates the program from Brave MMA and Fitness in south Edmonton. The initiative targets Indigenous youth, racialized youth, and young people with repeated contacts with the criminal justice system.

For participants aged 9-17, the program offers non-contact boxing paired with structured mentoring and coaching. Those aged 18-30 receive martial arts, mental health counselling, and education or employment-building support. The program uses psychologically informed principles focused on building emotional regulation, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

Phi, a 15-year-old graduate of Empire Fighting Chance, credited the program with transforming his life. "He taught me to calm down, and don't speak bad about people," Phi told Postmedia. "But after what Kenny said to me, I've never gone into trouble, and my life has become better since. I haven't gone into any physical fight or verbal fight with anybody since I started the program."

Jan Fox, REACH Edmonton's executive director, emphasized the program's accessibility. "Kids loved it. The partners loved doing it. It's barrier-free, so you could have it in a boardroom if you need to. If you can imagine someone who might be part of a gang or could be in trouble or vulnerable, they're much more likely to walk into a boxing gym than they are into a counselor's office."

The program was born from a pilot launched with a large private donation and adapted from a model in Bristol, England. Fraser said the initiative pairs "healthy physical activity" with mental health resources for youth engaged in or at risk of criminal behaviour.