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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Grants to help youth develop leadership skills

January 10, 2012

NEW PROVINCIAL GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP YOUTH DEVELOP SOCIAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

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Youth to Design Projects That Make Positive Differences in Schools, Communities: Rondeau
Nine schools and one youth-serving organization from across Manitoba are the first recipients of the province’s new Youth Making a Difference (YMAD) grants, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.
“The goal of YMAD is to empower students and youth between the ages of 16 and 24 to develop and implement social justice and community development projects in their schools and communities,” said Rondeau.  “Projects will be implemented between January and May.”
During the past few months, youth have worked with educators, counsellors and adult supervisors to develop grant proposals that engage students and youth in projects that make a positive difference in their schools and communities, the minister said.  Educators, counsellors and supervisors will receive funds for approved projects and will work with youth to ensure projects are implemented and final reports completed.
The first approved YMAD projects include:
  • a student group that is helping refugees to improve their English-language skills;
  • two student-initiated community recycling programs;
  • an after-school peer-tutoring program to assist English-as-an-additional-language students with their homework;
  • school fundraising events to provide supplies to a sister school in Kampala, Uganda;
  • student-organized hockey and ringette tournaments to raise money to help children in low-income families to participate in organized sports;
  • a youth traditional camp where young people will learn about Aboriginal culture and traditional teachings;
  • a day of change event that brings youth from several communities together to increase student involvement in social justice projects;
  • a community action program called Make the Right Choice, in which inner-city youth create plays and organize workshops that address issues such as poverty, substance abuse, gangs and education; and
  • an evening of arts fundraiser to support after-school programs in the inner city. 
The YMAD will complement other provincial youth programs including We Day, the We Schools in Action program and the social action component of the Grade 12 global-issues course, which is being piloted this year.
Each of the 10 grant recipients will receive a grant ranging from $250 to $1,000.
A detailed list of approved projects is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/youth/leadership/youthmakingadifference.html.
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