MOOSE JAW AND AREA RECEIVE OVER $13,000 FOR CHILD AND YOUTH SUMMER PROJECTS

The Community Initiatives Fund is providing five Moose Jaw community-based organizations a total of $13,918 for child and youth summer projects.

"The 2007 summer grant program is part of the government's effort to help make life better for Saskatchewan communities and families, now and into the future," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Sandra Morin said.

"It is important that our community has a strong voice in identifying its needs and is able to contribute in providing the solutions," Learning Minister and Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Deb Higgins said.

"These grants will directly enhance the quality of life not only of our children and youth but the community as a whole," Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said.

The $13,918 will fund the following community projects:

• $4,000 to the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery to hold a summer art and culture camp for disadvantaged youth at no cost;
• $4,000 to the South Central Recreation and Parks Association in Moose Jaw for its summer Youth Play Leaders recreational programs in nine surrounding communities;
• $3,018 to the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council for language and life skills training for refugee children;
• $1,600 to the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living in Moose Jaw for its summer recreation program for youth with intellectual and medical needs; and
• $1,300 to the YMCA Play "N" Learn Centre in Moose Jaw for its summer children's program.

The Community Initiatives Fund is focused on helping community organizations throughout Saskatchewan deliver projects that improve the education, health and well-being of children, youth and families.

To ensure that provincial funds are responsive to community priorities, 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.

The Community Initiatives Fund was established in 1995 to provide tangible benefits from Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation profits for Saskatchewan communities. Since it began distributing funds in 1996, community projects throughout Saskatchewan have received over $66 million.

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For more information, contact:

Aidan Morgan
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: amorgan@cyr.gov.sk.ca