February 11, 2004

Youth in Winnipeg's inner-city neighbourhoods have greater access to improved recreation, training and cultural opportunities as a result of $486,950 in funding for 11 projects through Manitoba's Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative, Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, lead minister for the program, announced today.

"Winnipeg's youth need the opportunity to make positive choices," said Mihychuk. "When they learn job skills, experience their culture, and explore music and recreation, they improve their quality of life and chances for future success."

Projects for youth announced today are:

• West End Cultural Centre, Community Kids Art Program - $9,000 to provide concerts and music workshops for children and youth in the Spence neighbourhood.
• North End Housing Project - $69,992 to fund the Aboriginal Youth Housing Renovation Project to train 10 at-risk North End Aboriginal youth and young adults, 15 to 29 years of age, in housing construction and renovation. Trainees are renovating four housing units in the William Whyte neighbourhood.
• R.B. Russell High School Renovation Training Program 2002-03 - $90,000 over two years to continue the program, which offers students the opportunity to acquire skills in home renovation and construction through in-class instruction and on-the-job experience.
• Youth Alliance Program - $20,000 in 2003 to the Lord Selkirk Aboriginal Women's Group to support after-school recreational programming for children and youth aged nine to 16.
• Kidswim - $18,000 over two years for Friends of Sherbrook Pool to operate a learn-to-swim program for inner-city children.
• Gordon Bell High School and Parent Association - $40,000 for the Community Opportunities and Employment Program to provide stipends for school/work experience for youth participants involved in personal and professional development workshops and training, community service, pre-employment experiences and employment opportunities
• Tune Time/Music Zone 2003 - $12,000 for the West Broadway Development Corp. to continue incorporating specialized music programs for children and youth into existing programming of community organizations in the West Broadway and Spence neighbourhoods.
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre - $99,958 to continue delivery of the Positive Athletic Cultural Experience (PACE) program which provides sport, recreation and cultural programming after school and on some weekends for inner-city children and youth, six to 17 years of age. The centre also received $50,000 for Youth Learning Partnership 2003 to continue the Youth Cultural Initiative project which provides Aboriginal cultural learning activities and leadership development to inner-city children and youth, five to 19 years of age.
• Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council - $75,000 for the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) 2003 to continue and expand the program in the inner city of Winnipeg, which provides culturally appropriate sports and recreational programs for inner-city Aboriginal children and youth.
• International Children's Festival Inc. - $3,000 to the Aboriginal Cultural Showcase in 2003 for startup costs including song and dance performances by Aboriginal artists, story telling by Aboriginal elders, an Aboriginal visual art exhibition and a teepee featuring displays and artifacts.

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, safety, and crime prevention.

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