Twelve Alberta community projects that help victims of crime and youth at risk are getting $1.6 million in grants from the province's Civil Forfeiture Fund.
The money was collected last year either by seizing cash or property from criminals.
"We will have vehicles that are seized, that have been involved in gang or drug activity," said Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis. "There's even been some cases where houses have been seized and sold as a result of this type of activity."
Edmonton's Elizabeth Fry Society will receive $50,000 to hire a part-time worker for a program that helps teenage girls who are struggling in school.
"Their family lives are maybe not so stable," said Elizabeth Darrell, coordinator of the Girls Empowered and Strong program.
"Having that group together is really helpful because they hear from each other and they realize they're not the only ones going through it. And they have a way to talk and lots of times that's all that they need is somebody to listen to them."
The Civil Forfeiture Fund has collected more than $4 million since it was launched in 2008.