CASINO FUNDS SUPPORT PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH IN WEYBURN AND AREA

Highways and Transportation Minister Judy Bradley today announced, on

behalf of Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing Minister Carol

Teichrob, that community groups in and around Weyburn received $16,590

from casino profits through the Associated Entities Fund.



"The province established the Associated Entities Fund to distribute a

portion of casino profits for the benefit of Saskatchewan people,"

Bradley said. "Since the beginning of 1997 more than $3 million in

casino profits have been distributed throughout Saskatchewan for

programs that support children, youth and families."



The Canadian Mental Health Association in Weyburn received $1,000

toward the development of an art program for long-term mentally ill

patients and their families. This is the first program of its kind in

the province and will enhance the artistic appreciation and talents of

participants, encourage social interaction and develop physical

skills.



The Family Place will be co-ordinating five different projects which

received funding today.



$590 will be used for a parent education program called Nobody's

Perfect, assisting parents of young children with transportation,

child care and nutritional breaks.



$1,000 has been received for a community kitchen for people

in Carlyle and surrounding area.



$1,500 goes toward an interactive cooking project involving

mothers and their children preparing and learning about

nutritious and economical meals.



$2,500 has been received for a project addressing the

nutritional needs of children in the Haig and Souris schools

by providing food baskets with nutritious snacks.



$10,000 will be used for the Prevention Program for Positive

Family Life which offers a variety of activities for

children, youth and their families such as Parents and Tots,

the Kid-o-Rama indoor playground, self-esteem workshops for

youngsters as well as a resource library for parents.



Associated Entities Fund receives a portion of the profits from

Casino Regina, the Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford, the

Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert and the Painted Hand

Casino in Yorkton.



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For more information, contact:



Trudy Jackson

Communications Branch

Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing

Phone: (306) 787-4011