Dartmouth Community Groups Receive Innovation Grants for Youth Initiatives
Creative arts projects for youth focused on topics such as healthy relationships and consent are receiving grants through the province's Sexual Violence Strategy.
Joyce Treen, MLA for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage, on behalf of Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard, today, April 22, announced more than $80,000 in Prevention Innovation Grants for two organizations that will work with youth to increase education and prevent sexual violence.
"Both of these groups are offering innovative and unique ways to tackle the pressing issue of sexual violence," said Ms. Treen. "Allowing youth to use their creativity to address the problem is an excellent way to provide meaningful education and hopefully engender change.
"I look forward to these plans being put into action and the benefits that will undoubtedly flow from them."
The grants are a commitment under government's Sexual Violence Strategy. An additional $600,000 for these one-time grants will be made available again in the fall, for a total investment of more than $1.2 million over two years.
The grants support community groups and organizations, including youth and underserved populations such as African Nova Scotians, First Nations, and the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community, to reach out to their peers and help put creative prevention initiatives into practice.
The MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning is receiving more than $30,000 to work with 15 to 19-year-olds to create their own comic books and graphic novels about sexual violence prevention. This project will run in Dartmouth as well as Lunenburg and Sydney.
"By combining purpose with passion, youth can grow in ways they hadn’t thought possible," said Heather MacDonald, executive director of the centre. "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to educate and empower youth across Nova Scotia on such an important issue."
The Fédération des femmes acadiennes is receiving $50,000 to compose a theatre production with students from the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) schools.
"Schools are a major force in the dynamism and continuity of Francophone and Acadian communities, with regards to social, economic and cultural aspects," said Jean d'Entremont, president of the Fédération des femmes acadiennes. "We truly feel that this play which promotes healthy relationships and the importance of knowing the right to consent will create safer environments and stronger communities."
Nearly 100 applications were received. The names of other communities and organizations receiving grants will be announced soon.