Province Supports Community Centre Alliance�s Homework Haven Program

The Provincial Government announced today that it will provide $25,000 to the Community Centre Alliance (CCA) to continue support of its Homework Haven program, which is a successful after-school homework support initiative. The announcement took place at Buckmaster�s Circle Community Centre, St. John�s.

�The Homework Haven program provides a welcoming environment for young people to get help with their schoolwork,� said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing. �This funding will help young people access a safe and nurturing environment, help them with their homework and encourage them to reach their full potential.�

Homework Haven provides volunteer-based homework support to students in Grades 7-12 at the five community centres in St. John�s supported by Newfoundland Labrador Housing. The Community Centre Alliance is a not-for-profit organization that provides employment, education and empowerment opportunities to families and individuals living in the community centre neighbourhoods of Buckmaster's Circle, Froude Avenue, MacMorran, Rabbittown and Virginia Park Community Centres where this program will be offered.

The program is a partnership between the CCA, the departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Education, Aliant, and Newfoundland Labrador Housing. Aliant will contribute $10,000 to the program.

Amy Percy, General Manager of the Community Centre Alliance, says, �Homework
Haven is an example of the positive outcomes that can happen when government, business and the community sector collaborate on a common cause. In this case the cause is helping our young people to succeed in school and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.�

�Aliant is committed to supporting literacy and education initiatives and to working with organizations like the Community Centre Alliance and Provincial Government,� said Sharon Duggan, Vice-President, Customer Experience, Aliant. �We are really excited to be part of Homework Haven and believe it will have a positive affect on children served by these community centres.�

Photo #1: From left, Bradley Ryan, 7, a student from Bishop Abraham; Minister Skinner; Sharon Duggan, vice-president, Customer Experience with Aliant; Denika Denny, 7, also a student from Bishop Abraham; and Jonathan Ivany, 15, a Level I student from Booth Memorial, chat about the benefits of
the after-school volunteer tutoring program.
 

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2008 01 31                                  4:45 p.m.