HAMILTON - Breakfast programs, conflict resolution groups and anti-gang interventions in communities across Ontario are getting a $7.7-million boost from the federal government to help at-risk teens before they turn to crime, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Thursday.

The cash will fund some 15 crime-prevention projects in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton and a research project at Queen's University in Kingston, Day said.

While Day said the Conservative government is trying to crack down on hardened criminals by making it more difficult for violent repeat offenders to get out of jail, he said it's equally important to use community programs to help prevent crime.

"There are people in every part of our country ... who know what's going on on the ground, who know where the young people are who are at risk," Day said at Living Rock Ministries in Hamilton, where he doled out $1.8 million for their youth programs.

"A young person suspended from school for the first time is a person at risk. Is that going to result in them feeling more isolated and drawn into areas where they feel accepted? Many young people who get involved in gangs are simply looking to be accepted."

Police chiefs across the province have long called for help to deal with the "root causes" of crime like drug addiction, alcohol abuse and mental health issues, said Hamilton police Chief Brian Mullan.

"We often are reacting to the symptom of a problem," he said. "When we look to solve the problem, it doesn't only take the justice system - it takes looking at the root causes."

While he said police are always looking for more money, Mullan said any initiative that helps fight youth crime is welcome.

Julie Conway, program co-ordinator at Living Rock Ministries, said the cash will make it possible for them to help some 200 teens a year by giving them educational support and even breakfast.

Many come to the program struggling with school and addiction, Conway said.

"They're absolutely at risk for gang involvement," she said.

Ryan Finch, a 19-year-old Hamilton teen, said if it weren't for programs like Living Rock, he would likely be unemployed and drifting.

"I've been going from job to job and this is the best job I've had yet," said Finch, who does maintenance and odd jobs around Living Rock's downtown building.

"Everybody's really nice here."