Five Island community groups have received funding from the province's Community Development Bureau. The Bureau assists community led initiatives by providing grants for projects which enhance or strengthen Island communities.
The Bureau is made up of Ministers from four departments: Development, Health and Social Services, Technology and Environment and Education. The Fund was established in 1999 to help Island communities build strong foundations and meet local needs.
"Community development only works when the projects come from the communities themselves," said Development Minister Don MacKinnon. "The people who live in our communities know best what they need to keep their areas vibrant and to build on local strengths."
Three of the projects are in Prince County and two are in Queens County. The projects which received funding are:
- The Kensington Cultural Foundation: will work with seniors and students through a homework club, creative in-class programs in schools, junior drama program, noon time programming for students, peer mediation training, community event planning and a students and seniors program.
- Duvar Women's Institute: renovations and repairs to the Duvar Community Centre.
- Maple House Incorporated: expansion of a bakery operated by and for special needs clients in the O'Leary area.
- Voluntary Resource Council: The VRC currently provides support services for 106 volunteer groups and individuals from across the Island. The grant will allow the council to update it's communications services with the purchase of new equipment.
- Hampshire United Church: The church will build a wheelchair ramp which will allow older parishioners to attend services.
"The wide range of these projects is an excellent example of what we mean by community development," said MacKinnon. "It may seem like a simple thing to build a wheelchair ramp, but projects such as that mean seniors can continue to enjoy a good quality of life, right in their own community."
Since it's inception, the Community Development Fund has supported 33 projects across the Island.