The Provincial Government is continuing to invest in the health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians through the Provincial Wellness Grant program. This year, 23 organizations and groups received a total of $322,000 in funding.

Today, the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, presented one of those organizations, the St. John�s Women�s Centre, with a $25,000 wellness grant for Nurturing Health and Wellness, a joint project involving the Namaste Program for Women.

"Since launching the Provincial Wellness Plan in 2006, many community groups and organizations have come onboard to help lead the way to a healthier future in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Wiseman. "Through the Provincial Wellness Grants Program, we are providing people with the access, knowledge and opportunities to live healthy and active lifestyles."

The Wellness Grants Program encourages and supports community groups and organizations to address the priority areas of the Provincial Wellness Plan which include healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco control, injury prevention, mental health promotion, environmental health, child and youth development, and health protection.

"The St. John�s Women�s Centre�s project is one of several that reflect the truly innovative and targeted projects receiving grants this year," said Minister Wiseman. "The centre has chosen a focus on mental health promotion and will offer healthy lifestyle sessions and provide a safe space for women to come together as mental health consumers."

In total, 113 proposals were submitted. Projects were selected from each of the nine Rural Secretariat regions to ensure the program benefits the broadest number of people across the province. The awarded grants range from $3,000 to $30,000, depending on the size and scope of the project. This is the fourth round of grants offered to community groups through the Wellness Grants Program. Since April 2006, the Provincial Government has allocated nearly $2 million in community wellness grants.

The Provincial Government invests $3.7 million annually to promote wellness through a number of initiatives such as Healthy Students, Healthy Schools; Tobacco Free Recreation and Sports; and Seniors Fall Prevention.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca

The Father Val Power Memorial Learning Centre in Riverhead, St. Mary�s Bay, received $10,000 for Mind-Body-Spirit � The Whole You!, a project that encourages adults and teenagers to be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. Over a period of 12 months, participants will meet bi-weekly and partake in 30-minute discussion groups on various health issues. Following the discussions, participants will enjoy a healthy snack, which will be examined to see how it meets Canada�s Food Guide. Through this project, participants will take part in physical activities and receive resources on healthy living to take home. Monthly lunch and learn sessions featuring a variety of health professionals will also be held.

The Branch Cultural/Historical Association received $15,000 for Music and Exercising to Stay Healthy, a project which encourages seniors and youth to work together by offering sessions in playing traditional musical instruments. Nutritious snacks will be provided at each session. Following each session, participants will complete a 40-minute walk around the community centre. As well, jogging sessions for youth will be held three times per week. Participants of this project will also take part in presentations from the RCMP on alcohol and drug abuse.

Rural Secretariat Region: Burin Peninsula
The Marystown Recreation Committee was awarded $30,000 for Phase 2 of the Marystown Healthy Aging Community Project. This funding will be used to refine and expand physical activity programs and partnership development, which was initiated during Phase 1. This will include: a walking program, expanded to include a second indoor venue; a nutrition program; educational seminars; Tai-chi program; recruitment and training of volunteers for Moving for Health; as well as the establishment of an outreach program for isolated adults.

Rural Secretariat Region: Clarenville � Bonavista Peninsula
Random Age Friendly Communities received $30,000 to continue and expand GATHER (Generating Awareness Through Healthy Environments and Recreation). By providing opportunities for physical activity and social interaction, GATHER supports seniors in achieving positive mental health. In addition to a continuation of current activities, GATHER will offer a drop-in centre that will operate two afternoons per week, establish a social support network for seniors, and hold educational presentations to support seniors in developing health coping skills.

Rural Secretariat Region: Gander � New-Wes-Valley
The Twillingate-New World Island Development Association received $4,000 towards the New World Island Regional Recreation Initiative. The objective of this initiative is to improve the physical health of residents of New World Island. Funding will be used to build capacity for partnership development and to conduct a needs assessment, which will help guide this initiative. Central Health will work with the association to provide advice and resources to assist with the development and implementation of a recreation program.

With $13,500 awarded, Salvation Army Family Services will develop a community soup kitchen to serve seniors and low income families once a week in the Gander area. Through this project, the Salvation Army will work with partners to promote healthy eating and safety among seniors and low income families.

Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The core of the Roots of Empathy program is based on classroom visits from a neighborhood infant and parent over the course of a full school year. $9,500 was awarded to implement the program in five schools within the Gander-New-Wes-Valley region.

Rural Secretariat Region: Grand Falls-Windsor � Baie Verte � Harbour Breton
Active Living for Older Adults received $12,700 to develop and expand active living projects for older adults in Robert�s Arm and surrounding towns. Building on social and health activities initiated last year, the organization will expand a physical activity program to three days per week and conduct workshops to address issues such as injury prevention, mental health promotion, environment health, and tobacco control.

Youth for Environmental Awareness (YEA!) received $3,300 for the Baie Verte Community Anti-Idling Campaign. An innovative and youth-driven initiative, this campaign aims to increase awareness and education about the negative effects of idling motor vehicles. As part of this project, YEA! will partner with businesses and other organizations to help spread the anti-idling message and to initiative behavioural change in drivers.

The St. Alban�s Seniors� 50+ Club received $11,000 for the Healthy Eating and Community Kitchen Wellness program. As part of this program, the organization will establish a community kitchen, and provide grocery tours for seniors, as well as resources to support healthy eating.

Springdale�s ICECAP Youth Centre works to enhance youth opportunities for participation in social and economic development by focusing on learning, employment, community capacity building, supportive services and recreation. The organization received $3,000 towards a number of healthy living initiatives including the After School Healthy Snack program, Kids Eat Smart (free fruit for recess), free milk campaign, lunch and learns, and Quitters Help Bag (for smoking teens).

Rural Secretariat Region: Corner Brook � Rocky Harbour
The Bonne Bay Mental Health Promotions Committee received $18,000 for Youth Engagement: Wellness Strategies for Bonne Bay North. This project aims to increase youth involvement in health promotion and actions to address wellness priority areas. The 12-month initiative will build new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships among youth and communities in the Bonne Bay North area. The Bonne Bay Mental Health Promotions Committee is a sub-committee of the Community Advisory Committee for Trout River to Bellburns.

The Western Environment Centre in Corner Brook received $20,000 for the West Coast Community Market. By holding regular farmer markets, this project will establish a connection between local food producers and the public. In addition, the organization will hold public education forums and workshops on issues including pesticide-free gardening, waste reduction, composting, green energy solutions and non-toxic home renovation alternatives.

Rural Secretariat Region: Stephenville � Port aux Basques
The Community Education Network in Stephenville received $22,000 for Families WALK Together (Working on Active Living for Kids) to promote health and wellness for young children using a holistic family-centred approach. Families will participate in an eight-week walking program and receive a Families WALK Together healthy eating and healthy living resource kit. This kit will also be provided to Family Resource Centres throughout the province and the Regional Health Authorities.

Rural Secretariat Region: St. Anthony-Port aux Choix
The Town of Bird Cove received $10,000 to expand its Healthy Lifestyle Program, which began in March 2007. The program will be expanded to include a community kitchen that will focus on the needs of seniors. The program will also offer information clinics for participants on a range of healthy living issues.

The Northern Peninsula Family Resource Centre received $15,000 to conduct Active Families, a one-day event to be held in three family resource centres to promote physical activity and healthy living in the region. As well, active family toolkits will be designed and given to support families in becoming more active together.

The St. Lewis Recreation Committee received $5,000 for St. Lewis On The Go, a project that promotes healthy living to individuals in the community, in particular seniors and children aged nine and under. A number of healthy living activities will be provided, including recreational sports, weekly square dances and out-of-town trips for seniors. This project enables individuals to learn and experience for themselves the benefits of healthy living.

Rural Secretariat Region: Labrador
The Labrador Metis Nation�s Learning for Life � Preventing Diabetes Project received $18,000 to expand the Skipping for Active Living program to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. This program targets school-age children and young adults by teaching them lifelong skills that will keep them fit, healthy and capable of reaching their maximum potential.

The Trappers Running Club received $12,000 for Trapline Marathon 2009. Inspired by the traditional trapper�s route in Central Labrador, the Trapline Marathon promotes physical activity, works to improve overall community health and wellness, as well as support local tourism opportunities. The event is composed of three events: the Trapline Marathon, 42.2 km; the Half Marathon, 21.1 km; and the Trapline Race, 10 km. Pre-marathon activities include a Trapline Expo, which will showcase running and fitness information, and weekly training runs intended to recruit participants.

Provincial
Newfoundland and Labrador Pensioners and Senior Citizens 50+ Federation received $15,000 to hold information sessions designed to help seniors in rural Newfoundland and Labrador achieve healthy lifestyles. The sessions will focus on healthy living, physical activity and health protection. The organization will work with more than 100 clubs to help reach seniors in communities across the province.

Planned Parenthood � NL Sexual Health Centre received $15,000 for Creating Safer Communities: Sexual Health Awareness, a project designed to educate the people of Newfoundland and Labrador about the needs of lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender youth. A presentation addressing homophobia will be delivered to various youth, school and community groups across the province. This project will support and assist youth in implementing Gay-Straight Alliances across Newfoundland and Labrador. A youth forum will also be hosted, bringing youth from across the province together to gather ideas about best practices to provide educational opportunities.