July 23, 1999
(Executive Council)

Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced today approval for the first seven proposals for the Strategic Social Plan's (SSP) demonstration projects.

Among those projects, approval has been given to support the Community Services Council's (CSC) work to provide Internet connection and training to 200 community-based volunteer organizations. The CSC is the delivery agency in this province for the Industry Canada-VolNet program to improve the voluntary sector's access to information technology, related skills and tools. The partnership announced today between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the CSC will provide them with a high speed cable Internet connection to serve these community-based organizations. It will also considerably enhance and maintain the CSC's web site and provide for necessary training, communications and Internet connectivity for groups most in need. Private sector support is being provided by Newtel Communications.

Six other projects have been awarded including The Corduroy Brook Enhancement project in Grand Falls-Windsor, the Community Mental Health Initiative in the Corner Brook area, and "Speaking Out," a project of the Avalon Theater Group in Victoria and Carbonear.

Also allotted funding are the Building Communities Through Community Education proposal taking in the Long Range Regional Economic Board, the Fogo Island Fun and Learning Centre and the Leadership Development Program sponsored by the Newfoundland Society for the Physically Disabled which has a provincial scope.

The funding for these projects totals $209,400 of the $1.2 million fund available to support the demonstration projects for 1999/2000. Approximately 50 proposals have been received and are being reviewed. More proposals are forthcoming and further announcements are anticipated.

"These projects are awarded on the basis that they encourage and support the goals of the plan in various regions of our province," explained Minister Bettney, lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. "These activities will explore new ways and means for strengthening communities and enhancing quality of life."

People, Partners and Prosperity: A Strategic Social Plan is a framework enabling people, communities, regional service delivery boards and government to work together. It is part of the commitment of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to work with people and create opportunities for a prosperous future.

The plan was announced in August of 1998. A steering committee representing members of community boards in Central Newfoundland has partnered with government to initiate the Strategic Social Plan in that region. Work continues to implement the plan in two other regions of the province this fall.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy Kelly, Strategic Social Plan, (709) 729-0168.

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PROJECT NAME: Community Capacity Building On-line
SPONSOR NAME: Community Services Council

LOCATION: St. John's and other sites

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: As a component part of the Connecting Canadians initiative, the VolNet Project is designed to assist community-based volunteer organizations. Industry Canada-VolNet has named the Community Services Council as the delivery agency for the VolNet project 1999/2000. This service package is designed to improve the voluntary sector's access to information technology. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is partnering with the CSC to support their work with 200 community groups by providing the CSC with a high speed cable Internet connection and web-site enhancement and maintenance.

SSP FUNDING: $23,500

PROJECT NAME: Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI)
SPONSOR NAME: CMHI Inc.

LOCATION: Corner Brook and Area

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To support the efforts of this inter-agency group to build on their experiences in developing a coordinated model of community services for children, youth and families with mental health needs. This group continues to demonstrate how cooperation among a number of service providers on a common issue can succeed in addressing the needs of clients and close service gaps.

SSP FUNDING: $25,000

 

PROJECT NAME: Building Communities Through Community Education
SPONSOR NAME: Long Range Regional Economic Development Board (Zone 9)

LOCATION: Areas within the Long Range RED Board

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To support the public participation and community education components of the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board's strategic plan with specific emphasis on areas of prevention and early intervention, communities in schools, community literacy, career development and enterprise, community leadership, and particpatory communications.

SSP FUNDING: $55,600

 

PROJECT NAME: Speaking Out
SPONSOR NAME: Avalon Theatre Consultants

LOCATION: Victoria and Carbonear

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To provide persons not normally associated with the theater an opportunity to acquire writing, production and performance skills while creating a stage production focused on issues such as those faced by teens, young adults, persons with disabilities, parents or persons receiving income support.

SSP FUNDING: $32,200

 

PROJECT NAME: Corduroy Brook Enhancement
SPONSOR NAME: Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association

LOCATION: Grand Falls - Windsor

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To support a community-based association's efforts to improve accessibility and employment for persons with disabilities via a locally developed nature trail and, also, to support environmental awareness activities with schools and youth groups in the area.

SSP FUNDING: $23,800

 

PROJECT NAME: Leadership Development Program
SPONSOR NAME: Newfoundland Society for the Physically Disabled

LOCATION: Province wide

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To provide youth with disabilities, training in areas such as volunteering, team building, public speaking, peer and personal support and advocacy with the goal of enabling participants to access information and resources that will help with personal decision making related to living independently in the community.

SSP FUNDING: $25,000

 

PROJECT NAME: Fogo Island Fun and Learning Centre
SPONSOR NAME: Fogo Island Literacy Assoc., Fun and Learning Center Committee and Fogo Island Central Academy

LOCATION: Fogo Island

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This centre commenced as an initiative focused on early literacy programming for pre-school children. The centre, with support from the Fogo Island Literacy Association and the Fogo Island Central Academy, is operated by a volunteer parent support group. Funding will enable the parent committee to explore ways to broaden the range of early intervention services offered.

SSP FUNDING: $24,290

1999 07 23         10:40 a.m.