Eastern Health’s Leslie O’Reilly, Chair of the Board of Trustees, has announced the latest 6 recipients who’ll split a $50,000 Community Development Fund grant. The grant aims to foster healthy communities.

54 applicants applied for this year’s pot of grant gold. “This year’s recipients reflect a wide range of initiatives that aim to improve mental and physical health,” O’Reilly said. “These initiatives will contribute to the overall health of our communities and I wish success to the recipients.”

To date, through this fund, 58 grants have been awarded to community partners and organizations for a total of $440,000. The 2016 Community Development Fund will support the following projects:

  • Bonaventure Community Garden – Together with the Kings Gate Condominium, Stella’s Circle will build on the work that was completed last summer at The Bonaventure Community Garden that will make the space more inviting and available to the larger community. It will also encourage more people to grow their own food, which contributes to improved mental and physical health.
  • Canning’s Cove Community Gathering Space – This project brings together the Canning’s Cove Recreation Committee and the Local Service District and Orange Lodge to enhance an existing community play area with the addition of a concrete base that can be used for a number of activities year round e.g. skating, basketball, and community gatherings.
  • Connecting Seniors in Rural Areas to Information – Seniors Resource Centre of NL will partner with NL 50+ Federation and Public Legal Information Association of NL to host 18 information and recruitment sessions with seniors in rural communities. The sessions will focus on programs and services available to seniors such as those that address caregiving, legal issues and elder abuse. It will also introduce and build capacity for the Community Peer Support Volunteer initiative.
  • Partnering to Make Houses into Homes – In this pilot project, Home Again Furniture Bank will collaborate with the carpentry program at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) to build bureaus to supply clients of the furniture bank. Clients in need receive quality furniture and HMP carpentry participants gain valuable skills and work experience.
  • Street Reach-Mount Pearl – Thrive Community Youth Network St. John’s will partner with the Church of the Ascension to offer outreach services to vulnerable youth during the winter months. These services include access to snacks, personal care items, condoms, safe injection drug supplies, information relating to programs and services, and a listening ear.
  • The Mount Carmel Gathering Place – St. Mary’s Bay North Regional Development Association will partner with the Town of Mount Carmel and the Mount Carmel 50 Plus Club to develop a community garden and gathering space.

David Diamond, President and CEO of Eastern Health, says that awarding these funds provides Eastern Health with the opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the most innovative and committed groups and organizations in our region.