Residents of two communities in Labrador will benefit as result of two Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador grants recently announced by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors. The Charlottetown Anti Violence Committee/Peer Advocates and the Town of North West River are the latest beneficiaries of the grants program.

"The Williams Government is committed to investing in programs that ensure seniors remain active members of society," said Minister Kennedy. "The grants we are announcing today will make a meaningful difference to seniors in our province."

The Town of North West River will receive $10,000 to help create an age-friendly community through the establishment of an age-friendly committee or team. That group will then create an action plan that will highlight some of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the town with regards to creating an age-friendly community.

The Charlottetown Anti Violence Committee/Peer Advocates will receive $9,000 to create Health Matters, a 26-week program aimed at engaging seniors and youth in programs including wellness, health promotion, physical activity, socialization and recreation.

"These two grants will provide a great opportunity for the communities of North West River and Charlottetown to identify and establish new ways of promoting their towns as age-friendly and age-supportive," said the Honourable John Hickey, MHA for Lake Melville.　 "Having more senior-focused programs will encourage health, wellness and appreciation for those important people who have been the backbone in the creation and growth of our communities."

Overall, the Williams Government will invest $200,000 in the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grant program. The grants will serve, in part, to fulfill commitments made under the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, through which the Provincial Government invested an additional $3.5 million in the 2009-10 fiscal year toward improving the wellness of residents.

- 30 -