CASINO FUNDS HELP LLOYDMINSTER AREA

Released on August 7, 2001

Three community projects in Lloydminster received grants totalling more

than $89,000 from the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) today.



Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joanne Crofford presented the grant

cheques.



"The Government of Saskatchewan created the Community Initiatives Fund to

distribute a portion of casino profits to organizations that provide

services to vulnerable youth and families," Crofford said. "The fund is a

significant investment not only in the youth of today, but in the citizens

of tomorrow."



Projects that received Community Initiatives Fund grants in the

Lloydminster area include:



School-Based Student Wellness Program in the communities of

Hillmond, Marshall, Lashburn, Maidstone, and Marsden/Neilburg

($70,866);



Big Brothers and Sisters After School Mentor Program ($7,010); and



Youth Peer Violence Prevention Program for rural and city schools

($12,000).



The provincial government established the CIF, formerly known as the

Associated Entities Fund, in 1997. Since then, it has provided grants of

more than $231,000 to 20 groups in the Lloydminster area. Provincewide, it

has provided more than $9.5 million to more than 1,500 groups.



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For more information, contact:



Maureen Boyle Karyn Mossing

Communications Communications Director

Municipal Affairs and Housing Culture, Youth and Recreation

Phone: (306) 787-5959 Phone: (306) 787-4967