Short-term funding is not helping at-risk youth in Winnipeg. (CBC)

Short-term sporadic funding is preventing service groups in Winnipeg from really helping at-risk youth, says a survey of 18 youth-service agencies.

"The current funding structure that involves a shift away from core funding to a project funding model affects an agency’s ability to confront and change the realities youth live in," said the report authored by three Winnipeg-based sociologists, Amelia Curran, Evan Bowness and Elizabeth Cormack.

Mike Owen of the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club told CBC news the biggest problem is that short-term program funding doesn't allow service groups to generate programs that follow-through with young people. "It's consistency that works with kids and unfortunately this kind of project funding doesn't really give that consistency," said Owen.

He predicted Winnipeg can expect more trouble with gangs and crime if governments fail to provide continuing help to at-risk youth.

"We really do have a problem with our youth. And we really do have to pay attention to it and unless we do something trying to permanently alleviate the problem our future's not going to be very bright in this area."

The report said gangs are a symptom of deep-seated social problems. And young people in Winnipeg's face a myriad of challenges that can only be addressed by programs that take the long view: "Hunger, poverty, domestic violence, peer violence or bullying, peer pressure for illegal activities, gangs, gang influences, inadequate clothing, inadequate care and attention at home, disadvantages like FAS or learning disabilities ... lack of parenting, a lack of direction, and a lack of care.

"If you don’t have a family then you create a family. To meet this sense of belonging, sometimes that is met by gangs," said the report, published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.