October 15, 2001

The Manitoba government's Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative, a comprehensive and innovative investment in neighbourhoods in need, is investing $116,300 in seven Winnipeg projects, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen announced today at the West Broadway Neighbourhood Centre.

"The best ideas for neighbourhood revitalization come from the community itself, so that’s where Neighbourhoods Alive! seeks direction," said Friesen. "Residents, community groups and local organizations identify their needs and priorities and we provide a 'toolbox' of programming to support the resulting community projects."

Projects announced today under the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund are:

• North End Housing Project - Alfred Avenue Community Gardens A $2,000 grant was used to help establish a community garden on an empty lot located at 31 Alfred Ave. The goal was to bring together members of the immediate community to plan and prepare the garden, to learn and work together in growing vegetables and flowers.
• Indian and Metis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg Inc. - Tree Huggers Project A $7,500 grant was used to hire three youth from the community to plant 65 evergreen trees in partnership with the Winnipeg Habitat for Humanity, Ed Schreyer Work Project.
• Take Pride Winnipeg Inc. - North End Murals A $36,000 grant will be used, in co-operation with the Mosaic Market BIZ, local retailers and building owners, to hire local artists to paint murals on nine business locations.
• West End Cultural Centre - Ellice Street Festival An $8,000 grant was used to help stage an event that created an opportunity for community networking and promotion of the local area and its businesses.
• West Broadway Development Corp. - Greening West Broadway A $35,000 grant supported a co-ordinated approach to local recycling, river-bank maintenance and neighbourhood enhancement projects.
• Graffiti Art Programming Inc. - Urban Canvas A $20,000 grant was used to provide relevant career skills training to the graffiti artist community (10 youth aged 18 to 28, mainly on social assistance).
• West End Development Corporation - St. Matthew’s/Daniel MacIntyre Community Needs Assessment A $7,800 grant was used to implement an asset inventory/community needs assessment of the St. Matthew's and Daniel McIntyre neighbourhoods through community meetings, door-to-door contacts, mailings and interviews with community leaders and organizations.

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term, community-based, social and economic development strategy that supports and encourages community-driven revitalization efforts in specific neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson.

A key component of Neighbourhoods Alive! is the $2 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which provides financial support to community organizations for local planning, enhancement projects, economic development and community support programs. The strategy is designed to encourage efforts in a number of key areas including housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, and safety and crime prevention.

Friesen noted that another key feature of Neighbourhoods Alive! is that the initiative and all the related programs of government are accessible by contacting the Neighbourhoods Alive! co-ordinator at 204-945-3379.

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