COMMUNITY GRANTS APPROVED FOR YORKTON, MELVILLE, KAMSACK, CANORA AND AREA

Released on April 25, 2006

Six human service organizations in Yorkton, Melville, Kamsack, Canora and surrounding rural municipalities have received $89,390 through the Community Initiatives Fund.

These grants are part of the 41 recently approved projects in communities across the province receiving $500,000 in funding. A total of $2 million in Community Initiatives Fund grants was distributed in 2005-06 for projects that assist vulnerable children, youth and families.

"The projects are excellent examples of what we can accomplish when schools, health regions, community-based organizations and Government come together to work with communities," Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby said on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel.

Funding will support the following projects:

• $35,000 for Families First – Good Spirit School Division 204, Kamsack and surrounding municipalities;

• $30,000 for Families and Schools Together – Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours, Yorkton;

• $10,000 for the Youth Liaison Worker Program – Canora Child Action Plan Committee, Canora and area;

• $5,000 for the expansion of existing programs – Kidsville Indoor Playground Inc., Melville;

• $5,000 for the Oasis Youth Centre, Melville; and

• $4,390 for the Leadership Camp, 2006 – Yorkdale Central School, Yorkton.

Community-based decision making is an important part of the Community Initiatives Fund. Grant decisions are made by an arms-length board of trustees based on advice from regional committees. These committees include representatives from agencies and community organizations involved in human service delivery at the regional level. This approach helps ensure provincial funds are responsive to community priorities.

The Community Initiatives Fund was established to provide tangible benefits from casino profits for Saskatchewan communities. Since 1996, over $60 million dollars has been distributed to community programs across Saskatchewan. The Fund has supported a variety of community initiatives including cultural and recreational facilities, increased physical activity through the "in motion" campaign, problem gambling prevention and treatment, projects to increase Aboriginal participation in culture and recreation activities, exhibition associations, hospital foundations and centennial projects.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967