$14,512 IN COMMUNITY GRANTS APPROVED FOR MOOSE JAW AND AREA

Three Moose Jaw and area community-based organizations received $14,512 today through the Community Initiatives Fund.

The grants are part of the 41 recently approved projects receiving $500,000 in funding for communities across the province. A total of $2 million has been distributed this year in Community Initiatives Fund grants for projects that assist vulnerable children, youth and families.

"These are projects that directly benefit communities," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel said. "The Community Initiatives Fund supports community-based projects and ensures program dollars go into activities that will really make a difference to Saskatchewan people."

Funding will support the following projects:

• The Badlands Peer Support Programs: Expanding the Reach -- Badlands Recreation Association Inc., Mankota, $3,000;

• Child Nutrition Development Project for Schools -- Prairie South School Division #210, $6,000; and

• Understanding Early Years Proposal -- Moose Jaw YMCA, Moose Jaw, $5,512.

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 in 1996 to provide tangible benefits from casino profits for Saskatchewan communities. Since its inception, over $60 million has been distributed to community projects across Saskatchewan. The Fund has supported a variety of community initiatives including cultural and recreation 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