November 01, 2002

THOMPSON--Manitoba's Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative is investing $312,278 in programs aimed at promoting community involvement, helping youth at risk and meeting housing needs in Thompson, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen has announced.

"I know that the hard work of community groups and this Neighbourhoods Alive! funding will reap benefits for all Thompson residents," said Friesen.

"I'm pleased to see the progress made by Neighbourhoods Alive! through the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (NRC) since it was incorporated last year," said Conservation Minister Steve Ashton, speaking here today on behalf of Friesen. "Job training opportunities for youth are also important in the North, especially in Thompson."

As leaders in innovative programs for youth in Thompson, the Thompson Boys and Girls Club, which hosted the event which Ashton attended today, will receive $97,700 for its YouthBuilders program. The program will provide 20 unemployed and out of school youth with home renovation and life skills training, and academic upgrading. The program supports and encourages participants to continue their education or to find a job. Manitoba Education and Youth provided $100,000 for the program in addition to the Neighbourhoods Alive! funding.

"YouthBuilders is a unique program providing a range of opportunities to at-risk youth including a strong sense of self-empowerment gained from refurbishing and rebuilding houses in their community," said Education and Youth Minister Ron Lemieux. "One of the main reasons for its success is a strong community-based focus, evidenced in Thompson by the partnerships with, among others, the Thompson Boys and Girls Club, the Keewatin Tribal Council, the Manitoba Metis Federation and Manitoba Hydro."

The club will also receive $44,400 for two additional projects. Exterior renovations will be made to the facility to provide a safer and more functional recreation space for youth. A mobile skateboard park that can be transported to various sites in Thompson will also be built. The skateboard project is a partnership of several local organizations, including the RCMP, Burntwood Regional Health Authority and the City of Thompson.

With $124,378 in Neighbourhood Alive! funding support, the Thompson NRC has undertaken four projects. The NRC will strengthen its capacity to co-ordinate the renewal of Thompson's at-risk neighbourhoods, conduct a housing needs study, assist community residents and organizations to identify issues and develop projects, and implement a small grants fund. The fund has been able to assist small-scale projects that connect neighbourhood residents, such as the Wapanohk-Eastwood Community School Pow-Wow.

In addition to the other grants, the Mystery Lake School Division received a $45,800 contribution towards the construction of a new accessible play structure at Deerwood Elementary School, which is now open.

Neighbourhoods Alive! is the Manitoba government's long-term social and economic strategy for designated areas in Manitoba's three largest cities: Brandon, Thompson and Winnipeg. Through Neighbourhoods Alive!, the provincial government provides funding, support and encouragement for community-driven revitalization efforts dealing with housing, physical improvements, employment and training, education, recreation, safety, crime prevention and other neighbourhood priorities.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

• Thompson Boys and Girls Club YouthBuilders $ 97,700

Provide 20 unemployed and out of school youth with home renovation and lifeskills training, and academic
upgrading. Participants will continue their education or seek employment.

• Thompson Boys and Girls Club Renovation $ 26,700

Exterior renovations to the Thompson Boys and Girls Club facility including resurfacing a paved lot,
replacing siding and adding a fence and lighting to provide a safer and more functional recreation space for
youth in Thompson.

• Thompson Boys and Girls Club Mobile Skateboard Park $ 17,700

Construction of a mobile skateboard park that can be transported to various sites in Thompson. Partners
include Thompson RCMP, Burntwood Health Authority and City of Thompson.

• School Division of Mystery Lake Deerwood School Play Structure $ 45,800

Contribution towards the construction of a new accessible play structure at Deerwood Elementary School

• Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. Capacity Building Project $ 39,600

Funding for communications equipment and board and staff training for Neighbourhoods Alive!’s key
community partner in Thompson. The Thompson NRC is co-ordinating revitalization efforts in Thompson.

• Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. Small Grants Fund $ 15,000

Establishment of a fund to provide grants under $5,000 to local organizations for projects that connect local
residents with resources and promote community.

• Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. Housing Needs Study $ 36,200

A housing co-ordinator will be contracted to conduct a housing needs study and initial housing development plan for Thompson.

• Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. Community Animation $ 33,500

A community animator will be employed to assist community groups in Thompson to identify
neighbourhood issues and priorities and to develop projects to respond to these concerns.

Total investment $312,278.