April 02, 2001

Community-based efforts to enhance housing, employment opportunities, recreation facilities and neighbourhood safety are receiving $258,100 from the Manitoba government's Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen announced today.

"When we invest in neighbourhoods in need, we are helping to build a strong and healthy Winnipeg for the benefit of all citizens," said Friesen, lead minister for Neighbourhoods Alive! "A thriving Winnipeg means more opportunities for Manitobans and their families and is critical to the overall well-being of our province."

Today's announcement was made at Wolseley Family Place, which is receiving $21,400 for a pre-employment project that provides work experience and mentorship for participants. The program is one of 11 community-based projects included in today's funding package (see attached list).

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term social and economic development strategy that supports community-driven revitalization efforts in specific neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. The strategy focuses on housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, and safety and crime prevention.

The Neighbourhoods Alive! co-ordinator can be contacted at 204-945-3379.

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Stages will be a participant-driven, community-based program preparing participants with longer-term development needs for further training, education and ultimately employment. The West Broadway-based project includes the hiring of a project co-ordinator to research community needs and already available resources, and to develop a curriculum framework and program logistics. Up to $6,100 will be provided for the developmental phase of the Stages project.

The provincial contribution of up to $20,000 will cover the staffing, benefits and operational costs associated with implementation of a program in the West Broadway neighbourhood which:

• encourages landlords to work with tenants on the ongoing maintenance and repair of residential buildings;
• assesses and posts signs on buildings which are safe and affordable places to rent in the area;
• develops and maintains a housing registry indicating which buildings have orders to repair or health orders against them; and
• is developing a Caretaker Training Workshop for caretakers of rental buildings in the area.

A total provincial contribution of up to $30,000 will be provided for the completion of a comprehensive housing strategy in the West Broadway neighbourhood and the co-ordination of project implementation. Methods of evaluating success in the implementation of projects will also be developed. The project includes the hiring of a project co-ordinator to liase with the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative, support housing groups in the area and co-ordinate housing activities in the neighbourhood.

Up to $21,400 for a 12-month period will be provided for the delivery of pre-employment activities and hands on employment experience within Wolseley Family Place for families who participate at the centre. The pre-employment experience for participants (primarily women) with limited or no work experience will serve to develop skills and increase self-esteem and confidence.

The provincial contribution of up to $50,000 will be provided for the renovation and expansion of the Turtle Island Community Centre, located at 510 King St. in the Lord Selkirk Park neighbourhood.

The project includes:

• adding a 1,500-square-foot addition, consisting of a round multi-purpose Healing and Wellness Room to create a respectful environment for community justice functions, group wellness counselling, elder group workshops, healing and sharing circles, as well as a more appropriate environment for existing cultural activities, including a youth drum group, traditional square dancing, youth pow wow club and community celebrations; a storage room; a mechanical room and two additional washrooms.
• redesigning/reconfiguring existing interior spaces to enable the centre to better accommodate the increasing demands to provide the services of a multi-disciplinary neighbourhood resource centre, including more flexible programming spaces and a properly equipped community kitchen.

A provincial contribution of up to $4,800 will be provided for the development and implementation of a household survey to determine the needs and concerns of residents. Residents of the area will be trained in interviewing techniques. Based on a report compiling and analysing information from the surveys, a plan will be created to improve the quality of life in the McDermot-Sherbrook area.

A total provincial contribution of up to $84,000 over a three-year period will be provided for the development and expansion of activities for women in the North Point Douglas and West Central (Spence and other) neighbourhoods and the implementation of a community plan to increase the capacity and empowerment of women.

The project includes:

• establishing a women’s resource centre that is responsive to the needs of community women and to enhance community resources and opportunities for women by attracting additional social supports to the community;
• providing recreational activities in the West Central area as a means of connecting women; and
• undertaking community development to increase women’s participation in informal networks of supportive women, expand and strengthen the advisory groups and organize community events and activities to facilitate the development of social networks.

The provincial contribution of up to $20,000 will be provided to develop and implement a community economic development plan and business retention strategy for the North End of Winnipeg with particular emphasis on North Point Douglas, William Whyte and Lord Selkirk Park neighbourhoods. Planning assistance will be provided by SEED Winnipeg. An assessment will be undertaken to determine the problems associated with operating businesses in this area and the types of supports or incentives required to facilitate businesses operating there. This information will contribute to the development of a business retention strategy.

Art City roof replacement

Funding up to $6,000 will be provided for the roof replacement at Art City Inc. in the West Broadway neighbourhood. It has been determined by City of Winnipeg inspectors that this replacement must be implemented before any other exterior renovations can occur.

A provincial contribution of up to $10,800 will be provided for the West Broadway Drop-in Job Search project serving the neighbourhood of West Broadway. The Drop-In Job Search will be run out of the West Broadway Education and Employment Centre at 640 Broadway to provide resources and support for neighbourhood residents seeking employment. A half-time co-ordinator will be hired for the project.

Up to $5,000 will be provided for the development of a Lighting Project in the West Broadway neighbourhood. The project’s intent is to address neighbourhood safety issues and improve the appearance of West Broadway by installing energy efficient, vandal proof lighting every third house or apartment in the neighbourhood. Priority will be given to blocks identified as most in need of lighting enhancements by a neighbourhood safety audit conducted in 1998.