NNSL file photo
Five organizations in Hay River and area have received financial support from the GNWT's Anti-Poverty Fund for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
The five organizations – four in Hay River and one on the Hay River Reserve – will be receiving a combined $145,000 for a variety of projects, including life skills, on-the-land cooking and food, and healthy nutrition.
Of that total, $50,000 will be going to the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities, $30,000 to the Hay River Metis Government Council, $25,000 to the Hay River Soup Kitchen, $25,000 to the Dene Wellness and Development Centre of K'atlodeeche First Nation, and $15,000 to the Northern Farm Training Institute.
Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy announced on May 21 that the government will invest $1 million this year to support efforts to reduce poverty.
The funding has been distributed to 47 proposals from community and Indigenous organizations.
"The Anti-Poverty Fund is an important tool we use to take action against poverty," said Abernethy in a news release. "It is through partnerships with community and Indigenous organizations that we have seen successful community-driven solutions that have touched the lives of youth, women, persons with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness by addressing both their immediate and long-term needs."
This year's successful proposals aim to reduce poverty through providing support for healthy living, mental wellness, early childhood development, initiatives for elders and youth, training and employment, housing and homelessness, food security, on-the-land activities, and traditional knowledge.
The Anti-Poverty Fund has an annual budget of $1 million. There is no maximum or minimum funding limit for individual projects.
Over 50 proposals were received for 2019/2020 requesting $3.4 million in funding.
The funding amounts for the fiscal year – beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 of next year – ranged from a low of $7,000 to a high of $50,000.