CHARLOTTETOWN (P.E.I.) - Women in Charlottetown and throughout Prince Edward Island will gain new skills and opportunities for growth and positive change, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, Mr. Gerald Keddy,
Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's, today announced funding to two organizations for projects that will benefit rural women and women who are ex-offenders or are at risk of offending.
The two organizations will receive a total of $240,383 in funding from the Women's Community Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. This Fund supports eligible organizations in carrying out projects at the local, regional and national level. To qualify, the initiatives must work toward the equality and full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
"Our Government has once again delivered on the promise it made to Canadian women in Budget 2008," said Minister Verner. "By supporting culturally appropriate programming for rural women in Prince Edward Island, and by assisting women who have been in conflict with the law or who are at risk of offending, we are continuing to make a real difference in the lives of Canadians."
"These projects foster a sense of community while building individual self-confidence, resourcefulness and engagement among participants," said Mr. Keddy. "I am proud the Government of Canada is taking this opportunity to work with women's organizations in Prince Edward Island, to learn from them, and to improve the quality of life for Canadian women, now and in the future."
The following two organizations will receive funding:
- The Adventure Group, Inc., of Charlottetown, will receive $150,000 for its project entitled New Beginnings.
- The Women's Network PEI Inc. will receive $90,383 for its project entitled Where She's At: Helping PEI Women Help Themselves.
"This new funding is crucial," said Ms. Roxanne Carter-Thompson, Executive Director of the Adventure Group Inc. "It enables us to provide this pilot program to women participants throughout PEI. We are excited about the program, which will build self-esteem, promote effective decision-making skills and develop openness to growth and change among women who are ex-offenders or who are at risk of offending."
"We are delighted to have the support of the federal government in our ambitious new project," said Ms. Sara Roach-Lewis, Chair of the Board for the Women's Network PEI Inc. "We plan to assemble women facing a range of barriers from all parts of the Island, and to provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to optimize their health, employment, safety and financial security."
As announced in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada will develop an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and their participation in democratic life.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819-997-7788
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
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