Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken was in town May 4 to hand out some a little than $30,000 in provincial grant money to two local organizations with big plans.
The Hope Resource Centre was the recipient of a $23,000 cheque, while the Westlock Child Care Society received $11,453 in Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grants. Both are matched by funds each organization has already raised, which is a requirement of the program.
CFEP grants are awarded to non-profit societies and organizations with plans to build, buy or update a facility or programming.
“The Hope Resource Centre has been able to be a light in the community and I believe the community has recognized that and supported it, so the province is willing to come alongside the community and help support that work also,” said van Dijken.
Sylvia Yoder, executive director of the Hope Resource Centre, was thrilled with the contribution, which will go towards starting a new program.
“This now means I can order my supplies for children’s grief support with the Rainbows program in Edmonton, which is a national program for grief support, loss and separation and divorce for children,” she said.
“This means I can start doing a little advertising to kind of prep the community and hopefully launch this program in the fall.”
Christine Villeneuve, executive director of Westlock Child Care Society, was equally thrilled to receive the money.
“Several months ago we applied for the CFEP grant in the hopes that we would be able to start redoing some of our outdoor play space, so what this grant is going to be able to do is help redo the south section of the playground,” she said.
Plans are to construct a more natural environment by taking out the plastic play area and adding plants and trees and even a gazebo for the whole community to enjoy.
“It’s definitely a community play space, so after hours and on weekends the community is also invited to come, so it’s not just us, it actually benefits the community as well,” she said.
Yoder was pleased with the grant to the daycare as she considers the two organizations to be in an informal partnership.
“I’m really happy to partner with the Westlock Child Care Society,” said Yoder.
Child care can be a huge expense and the success of the daycare means women can find affordable child care, which means they can participate in the work force, she said.
“It’s just one more reduction of a barrier that women are facing, when they’re rebuilding their lives and that is employment.”
van Dijken said he appreciates the CFEP grant because it’s the community groups that identify the projects needed in their community. There is also the matching funds aspect that sets it apart from many other grants.
“Government isn’t the one identifying whether they should be doing this or that, the actual people, the stakeholders, are doing the work to identify what they’re need is and then doing the work to get the matching funds,” he said.
“In my opinion, it’s a very worthwhile way of improving the community being driven by the community.”
“We’re very, very excited that we were granted this wonderful opportunity,” Villeneuve added.
