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Projects support social well-being

Close to $1 million in funding from the Columbia Basin Trust's Social Grants Program will be divided up between 32 projects.

Close to $1 million in funding from the Columbia Basin Trust's Social Grants Program will be divided up between 32 projects. Each of the projects support social well-being within their community, including the Elkford Women's Task Force Society.

With the funding provided, the society will offer a program for Elk Valley children aged three to five years-old which will use play and parent participation to promote positive self-image, physical activity, and healthy eating.

“The Healthy Start program will present physical based education in a fun and exciting way,” said Jennifer Cherney, Elkford early childhood development coordinator. “It will give families ideas of how to make physical activity fun at home, while encouraging children to have positive self-esteem and make healthy eating choices, in hopes of helping reduce childhood obesity. It will also prepare children for kindergarten.”

Some of the other successful recipients of the Social Grants Program are the Golden Food Bank Society, the City of Revelstoke's financial literacy program, and the St. Mary’s Indian Band project.

“Our selection committee approved a diverse range of projects from a strong showing of applications during our annual intake,” said Sabrina Curtis, director, sector initiatives. “These projects will continue to build and strengthen the social sector in our region.”

It is up to the Social Grants Program Selection Committee to decide which groups will receive funding. The volunteer group of Basin residents includes individuals who have experience and expertise in the social sector, as well as individuals who have broader community development experience.

For more information about the Social Grants Program, visit www.cbt.org/sgp.