Kamloops, British Columbia - On behalf of the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), Ms. Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, today announced support to the Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society for a project that focuses on leadership development for disenfranchised women in the community.
The Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society, an organization that provides affordable housing and services to people who are, or could be, in conflict with the law, will receive $50,970 over 18 months for its project, Women in Leadership Development.
The project will assist marginalized women - that is, women relegated to the margins of society because of racism, violence, and other factors that limit their access to economic and social well-being - who have been street involved, are leaving jail, or have cognitive or behavioural challenges, to develop leadership skills that will enable them to become healthy participants within the larger community.
"I am proud of our Government's support for Women in Leadership Development, a project that will give women the tools they need to address barriers related to the cycles of violence and abuse they are caught in," said Minister of State Guergis. "By supporting this valuable project, our Government is providing women in the Kamloops region with the help they need to return to Canadian society and to begin to contribute in meaningful ways while improving their own quality of life."
"This project will reach out to marginalized women here in Kamloops," said Ms. McLeod, M.P. "By providing vulnerable women with leadership skills and support, they will be in stronger position to positively contribute to the fabric of the community."
"This project will provide leadership training to various groups of disenfranchised women in our community," said Ms. Penny Douglass, President, Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society. "Through weekly meetings, the women will organize projects that address issues related to violence against women. Through their experience and activities, they will develop leadership skills that will empower them to break out of the cycles of violence they face and educate their community to bring awareness around this issue."
Funding for the Women in Leadership Development program comes from the Women's Community Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. The Women's Community Fund supports projects at the local, regional and national levels.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Sherine Mansour
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women)
819-956-4000
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
