Stella Burry Community Services to increase services for homeless individuals in St. John's

December 4, 2003

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR-Stella Burry Community Services has received funding to enhance services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Coordinator on Homelessness, announced $307,000 in funding through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), under the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). The funding will allow the organization to purchase property and increase supportive services to persons who have difficulty living independently in the community.

"Stella Burry Community Services is an important and vital organization in this community that is playing a lead role in improving the quality of life for those most vulnerable in our society," said Minister Bradshaw. "The Government of Canada is pleased to be a part of this project."

The Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) said, "I want to acknowledge the efforts of all partners in this very important project. NLHC has been a key player in the National Homelessness Initiative and we hope to continue our support in the future."

The Honourable Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health said, "This is a very positive project for persons with complex needs. My Department looks forward to working with Stella Burry Community Services to assist its clients to the fullest extent possible."

"I want to add my full support to this initiative being spearheaded by Stella Burry Community Services, which is doing very positive work for homeless and at-risk people in the community. My Department will be working with Stella Burry Community Services as this facility moves forward," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources and Employment.

The funding will be used to purchase property and to develop community economic development initiatives and supportive housing for individuals with complex needs. The project will increase community capacity through coordination of services and sharing of resources, and enable Stella Burry to provide the continuum of supports necessary to help homeless individuals secure and maintain housing in the community.

"This supportive community integration project will greatly enhance our organization's ability to provide improved living conditions and quality of life for individuals using the services offered through our organization. It will provide the kind of tangible supports and coordination of services that many homeless and at-risk persons need to successfully re integrate into the community," said Jocelyn Greene, Executive Director of Stella Burry Community Services.

Since the Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities' efforts to help Canadians who are homeless, more than $4.5 million has been invested in Newfoundland and Labrador. Building on the successes achieved, the February 2003 Budget announced $405 million for three years to continue the Government of Canada's commitment to addressing homelessness.

As part of the NHI, the SCPI is continuing to make a difference by encouraging the development of flexible, community-driven solutions to help alleviate homelessness.

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For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca.

For more information:

Kim Oliver
Minister Bradshaw's office
(819) 953-5646

Jocelyn Greene
Executive Director
Stella Burry Community Services
(709) 754-2072

David Earles
A/Regional Manager Communications
Human Resources Development Canada
(709) 772-5346