23 Community Groups Receive Provincial Wellness Grants

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.

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