April 5, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021-2022 Healthy Communities Partnership Fund, which supports local groups and organizations and their work to strengthen the health of communities.
“We are delighted to award this year’s grants to these eight community-based projects, as we partner together to foster the development of healthy communities,” said Leslie O’Reilly, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “This year’s recipients have embarked on a broad range of initiatives that strengthen social support networks; develop community connections and partnerships; address health and wellness; and create supportive environments.”
The Healthy Communities Partnership Fund was established in 2007 as the Community Development Fund by Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees, to provide grants to community organizations and groups who identify and take action on priority health and wellness needs within their communities. The community grants program is managed by the Healthy Communities Partnership Fund Review Committee that reviews grant application submissions and recommends funding as per criteria and application process. The committee was approved a grant allocation of $50,000 for 2021-2022.
The 2021-2022 Healthy Communities Partnership Fund will support the following projects:
Shoal Harbour Valley Cooperative 4 Season Park Development, Friends of Shoal Harbour Valley: The focus of this project is to further develop and enhance a 4-season park located in Shoal Harbour. This one-stop location will provide year-round low-cost community activities for all age groups. Partners include Riverside Elementary, the 4th Clarenville Scouts, and the Town of Clarenville.
Cool Connections Physical Activity and Socialization Program, Lawn Recreation Committee: The Lawn Recreation Committee will partner with the local school and the Burin Peninsula Brighter Futures (Family Resource Centre) to develop, plan and implement a 12-week winter recreation program. This program aims to provide safe, inclusive and accessible play spaces and will engage children of all ages and abilities in a variety of wellness activities.
Out the Shore Trail, Gulch Beach Improvement Committee Inc.: This project aims to connect two ends of the trail between the lighthouse area at Gulch Beach and the 18th century cannon battery on the eastern end in partnership with St. Mary’s Restoration Committee. This expansion will allow for trail users to access a safe and enjoyable hike along the coast of St. Mary’s.
Promotion in Motion, Freshwater Community Centre: A community-focused initiative that aims to provide education sessions on various health and wellness topics as well as offering health promotion events that focus on physical, mental, environmental, spiritual, and social wellness. This multi-layered project will be undertaken in partnership with the Freshwater Community Centre, the Community Youth Network in Placentia, as well as other community groups and organizations.
Slow Cooker Project, Stella’s Circle: Stella’s Circle will offer two 8-week slow cooker programs for the participants of Emmanuel House where they will learn about nutrition, food budgeting, cooking skills, and how to access community resources in preparation for independent living. Other partners include Bridges to Hope Food Bank, Memorial Market Dominion.
Upper Island Cove Community Garden, Town of Upper Island Cove: This project will enable the Town of Upper Island Cove to begin work on the building of its first community garden on town-owned land by bringing together the local school and seniors’ groups to build, develop and maintain the community garden. The future vision for the garden will see all community groups using the site for the annual garden party and other community-focused events.
Feeding Traditions, First Light-St. John’s Friendship Centre: This project, targeted towards Indigenous Peoples living in the St. John’s area, will bring together individuals, knowledge keepers, elders and other community members as they learn to cook culturally specific foods in both community and land-based settings. First Light-St. John’s Friendship Centre will partner with Fishing for Success on this project.
NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre: Responding to a significant increase in demand from the community for their information and support line, NLSACPC, will offer an extra training cycle to volunteers. This will increase their capacity to meet the demands of the 24-hour phone and text line. Key partners are Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quadrangle NL.
“On behalf of Eastern Health, I’d like to congratulate recipients of the 2021-2022 Healthy Communities Partnership Fund, as well as extend sincere thanks to all those who applied,” said David Diamond, President and CEO, Eastern Health. “This year, we saw many high-caliber submissions, which made the decision of choosing recipients especially challenging. We look forward to continuing this important work with community groups and partners in support of advancing our vision of Healthy People, Healthy Communities.”
Since the first grants were awarded in 2008, almost $550,000 has been invested in 81 community groups and organizations in projects that address both physical and mental health needs for all age groups.
The Healthy Communities Partnership Fund aligns closely with Eastern Health’s strategic plan 2020-2023, Putting Excellence into Action, which supports better health outcomes for communities. For more information about the fund, please visit https://hi.easternhealth.ca/healthy-communities/funding-opportunities/hcpf/.
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About Eastern Health
Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 dedicated employees, over 700 medical staff, and is supported by approximately 2,000 volunteers, including members of numerous auxiliaries and fundraising foundations. With an annual budget of approximately $1.6 billion, the authority offers the full continuum of health and community services including public health, long-term care, community services, hospital care and unique provincial programs and services. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend west from St. John’s to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.