YORKTON COMMUNITIES RECEIVE FUNDING

Seven Yorkton community groups today received more than $55,000 in funding from the Saskatchewan government through the provincial Community Initiatives Fund (CIF).

"The community organizations here today have proven their vision and dedication in making Saskatchewan a great place to live, work and play," Deputy Premier and Yorkton MLA Clay Serby said. "I am pleased to present CIF funding to organizations whose projects support leadership, co-operative spirit and healthy living within Saskatchewan's communities."

Serby presented the cheques on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joanne Crofford.

The provincial funding will support the following seven projects:

• "Celebrating Families" project ($10,000) of the Boys and Girls Club of Yorkton;

• "The RespectEd: Violence and Abuse Prevention for Yorkton and Area" project ($10,000) of the Canadian Red Cross;

• Parkland Regional Library's "Parkland Regional Library Family Literacy Initiative" project ($5,000);

• "Child Action Plan Radio Announcements" project ($1,266) from Shelwin House;

• Sunrise Health Region's "The Shape of a Girl" project ($13,160);

• Yorkdale Central School's "Leadership Camp 2003" project ($3,264); and

• "Families and Schools Together" project ($13,000) from the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN).

"The Families and Schools Together project helps build better communication in families, helps improve relationships between families and schools and strengthens the fole of parents in their families.: Executive Director of SIGN Tome Seeley said. "The Community Initiatives Fund is making a vital contribution to the Yorkton community through its support of this project."

The CIF was established by the provincial government in 1997 to return a portion of casino profits to communities. Since its inception, the fund has provided more than 1,900 community groups with a total of more than $12 million.

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For More Information, Contact:

Sandhya Padmanabh Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306)787-4967 Email: spadmanabh