Minister Matthews presents funding for "Grassroots" project

Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Finance and MHA for the District of St. John�s North, on behalf of Julie Bettney, Minister Responsible for the Strategic Social Plan, presented a cheque today to Cable Atlantic who has partnered with the Strategic Social Plan to produce a television series called "Grassroots."

The $50,000, along with a substantial in-kind commitment of staff time and production resources by Cable Atlantic, is for a demonstration project under the Strategic Social Plan. The television series is designed to motivate community involvement through the process of dialoguing with communities at the grass roots level, finding their unique gifts and reflecting them back through television.

The demonstration projects were awarded on the basis that they support the goals of the Strategic Social Plan by exploring new ways and means for strengthening communities and enhancing quality of life.

"This television series will help build positive attitudes about ourselves. It will be a tool for sharing projects and initiatives that make our communities strong and viable," said Minister Matthews. "This project supports the goals of the SSP by forging partnerships between government, communities and private business to insure the viability of our communities. I commend Cable Atlantic for their support of the Strategic Social Plan."

"The Grassroots project is perfectly aligned with Cable 9's programming mandate, and that is to provide positive images of our people to our communities," said Debra Wells-Smith, program manager, Cable 9.

"The excitement and interest from communities that responded has been wonderful," said Cathy Murphy, host and producer of Grassroots. "Communities identified a need to tell their stories as a way of capturing their passions and strengths. They also acknowledged the importance of sharing their experiences with other communities. This is true to the traditional community value of coming together in support of one another. Our series will feature Change Islands, Port Hope Simpson, Bonavista, Trespassy, Stephenville Crossing and Grand Bank."

The Strategic Social Plan is bringing representatives of government, regional health, education and economic development boards, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and community agencies to the same planning table to address social and economic challenges in their region. The SSP focuses on new and innovative approaches to social development, the coordination of services and linking social and economic development. The goal is to support an environment in which citizens participate more fully in their communities.

The Plan is being implemented on a regional basis. The implementation of the SSP is underway in Central Region and also in the area encompassing St. Anthony to Port aux Basques to Francois. Work continues to bring the plan to the rest of the province by early summer.

Media Contact:

Paula Dyke, Communications, (709)729-0329.
Kathy Murphy, Grassroots Productions, (709) 753-7422.

2000 05 12                                                                     2:30 p.m.