June 03, 2002

The Manitoba government's Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative is investing $333,000 in 12 programs that will help stimulate employment opportunities, recreation, neighbourhood renewal and alternatives for youth at risk in Winnipeg's Spence neighbourhood, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen announced today.

The announcement was made as the minister brought congratulations to House of Opportunities, an adult drop-in and job resource centre, at its open house.

"The House of Opportunities has made a significant positive impact on the Spence neighbourhood," said Friesen. "Unemployed people in this neighbourhood and elsewhere in the Winnipeg's inner city know that this is a friendly, inviting and accepting place where they will receive assistance in searching for employment or career-related training."

Neighbourhoods Alive! will be contributing $213,500 to House of Opportunities over a four-year period. Both it and the parent organization, Opportunities for Employment, have demonstrated their ability to assist unemployed people in both locating and maintaining long-term employment, Friesen said.

"Opportunities for Employment has a simple but compelling mission, which is to equip individuals to achieve greater independence by pursuing and maintaining meaningful employment," said Ted Klassen, general manager. "Neighbourhoods Alive! is helping us and other local organizations and residents to build their community."

House of Opportunities will be working with Manitoba Family Services and Housing through a fee-for-service agreement to find jobs for recipients of Employment and Income Assistance. This arrangement will allow the organization to work towards sustainability and assist the province in ensuring that inner-city residents have access to long-term employment.

"All of the projects announced today are the result of Neighbourhoods Alive! assisting the best ideas for revitalization from the Spence community itself," added Friesen, the lead minister for Neighbourhoods Alive!. "While these projects are all based in one community, all Winnipeg benefits when a neighbourhood becomes a healthier place to live and raise families."

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. The strategy focuses on key areas such as housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, and safety and crime prevention.

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DETAILS OF PROJECTS. 

Funding totalling $213,500 provided on a declining basis over four years to continue the operation of an adult drop-in/job resource centre.

Funding of $6,000 to make weatherproofing repairs to the West End Cultural Centre to help prevent further deterioration to the facility.

An event to create opportunities for networking and promotion of the local area and businesses. This $4,000 contribution is NA!'s second to this festival.

A contribution of $22,500 to continue the fencing repair/replacement grant program, started by the Winnipeg Development Agreement, during the summer of 2002.

Streetscape enhancements to the major business streets in the Spence neighbourhood will be assisted by $13,900 in funding.

Funding of $4,990 to research and prepare a report on the history of the Spence neighbourhood.

Planning and implementation of a community art exhibition and local art workshops. This $6,274 contribution is NA!'s second to this art project.

A $14,000 contribution will assist with the painting of murals on businesses in the Spence neighbourhood that will tie into the community themes promoted by the West End BIZ and the Spence Neighbourhood Association.

Funding of $3,267 helped produce this free, user-friendly handbook listing resources in the community including churches, community groups, community services, day care centres and medical services.

A total of $13,540 to hire a part-time Outreach Worker/Home Visitor to act as a community link between families and the services of PDFSS by providing the necessary encouragement to individuals who are unable to make a connection to the centre on their own.

To provide the Spence Neighbourhood Association with $30,000 to establish a fund to support small community-building projects.

Funding of $1,021 to purchase and install five bulletin boards to serve as "information stations" in the Spence neighbourhood.