(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Helping the Community

Local organizations receive support for community projects developed amid COVID-19

Aug 12, 2020 | 4:56 PM

The United Way of Saskatoon and area have announced over $1.2 million has been given to support agencies across central and northern Saskatchewan as well as Saskatoon who help vulnerable people and families locally.

According to a media release, the $1.2 million through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund will go to 65 projects in those areas.

Some of the areas include Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Melfort, Cumberland House, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, La Ronge, Nipawin, Kindersley, and Humboldt. These communities were chosen to support projects that have developed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding recipients in the Prince Albert area is the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert and the John Howard of Society of Saskatchewan P.A. Branch.

Development Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert, Natasha Thomson told paNOW they have received $15,000 to continue to support young people in mentoring relationships by offering the opportunity for more virtual mentoring in addition to the in-person mentoring.

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“We had a lot of our matches continue to connect through various online methods during the pandemic and some matches are going to continue this,” Thomson said.

The organization will use the funds to provide tablets so participants can communicate with their mentor from home.

“We realize there are families and young people out there that did not have access to the equipment or the internet and we felt this was a very important gap to support the families that didn’t have these things and who needed them so they can stay in touch with a mentor,” she said.

“We are very grateful for the support of United Way. We know that they realize that mentoring is an investment in the well being of young people and we’re very happy that they are supporting our efforts to continue to provide expanded service.”

As stated in the release, the Kikinanhk Friendship Centre in La Ronge received $25,000 for its Indigenous Women’s Safety Pilot Project. The project will provide ORA Personal Alerts to those women to increase safety.

Cumberland House received also received $25,000 to help residents access fresh produce and to create a literacy program for the community.

Those are just a few of the many projects that are being supported.

“United Way of Saskatoon and Area is a proud partner in delivering funds to these important projects throughout central and northern Saskatchewan; helping to ensure the people of Saskatchewan are supported in times of unprecedented need,” United Way of Saskatoon and Area’s CEO, Sheri Benson said in the media release.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca