NIPAWIN GROUP RECEIVES SPIRIT AWARD

Oasis Community Centre Co-operative Limited of Nipawin today received its Spirit Award for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in the category of Children, Youth and Families.

"Saskatchewan is known for its community spirit," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said today while attending a celebration in honour of Oasis Community Centre. "Oasis Community Centre and other human service CBOs form an integral part of the social services sector. It is an excellent example of the determination that exists in the sector to develop caring and vibrant communities and of the success that can be realized through goodwill and co-operation."

"Our board and staff are honoured to be named a winner of the first Spirit Award for Community-Based Organizations," Oasis Community Centre president Eileen Fogarty said. "The Centre continues to grow and develop programs that will enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals from all walks of life. The funds we receive from the Spirit Award will be used to further educate the board and staff in program development and bookkeeping, which will help us continue to move forward."

The Centre currently runs a number of programs like Collective Kitchens and Transition to Employment, and is further developing new programs like the Odd Job Program.

This is the first year of the Spirit Award for CBOs. It was created to honour the human service CBOs that deliver programs and services on behalf of Community Resources and help tackle some of the province's most pressing social issues at the local community level. CBOs that received funding in the last two years from Community Resources or the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (an agency of Community Resources) to provide programs or services in one of the five award categories were eligible.

All five winners were announced August 29th, 2006. They were selected by a group of individuals from the education, government, Aboriginal and community sectors based on their ability to make a difference in people's lives and their demonstrated success in areas such as building inclusive families and communities, good governance, accountability and linkages with others groups.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Miller Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-0531

Garry Schenstead Oasis Community Centre Co-operative Ltd. Nipawin Phone: (306) 862-5551