Date: November 10, 2004
For Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New shelter and resource centre for youth officially opens in St. John’s
ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR —Choices for Youth Services Centre, a new $1.9 million shelter and community resources agency for young people, officially opened its doors today. Choices for Youth is an active, youth-focused organization that aims to enhance young people’s lives, enabling them to meet their goals.
Joining in the opening ceremonies was the Honourable Joan Burke, Provincial Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC); His Worship, St. John’s Mayor, Andy Wells; and Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices for Youth.
“I am pleased to be associated with the many exciting projects being undertaken throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as a result of the National Homelessness Initiative and other federal partners such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Natural Resources Canada,” said Minister Efford. “The Government of Canada is proud to support this Youth Centre that provides safe shelter and support services to young people in the greater St. John’s area.”
The facility received $1,691,000 from the Government of Canada through the National Homelessness Initiative, $162,000 through the Shelter Enhancement Program (which is cost-shared 75/25 between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation [CMHC] and NLHC), Proposal Development Funding of $7,897 through CMHC and $13,968 through the Commercial Building Incentive Program of Natural Resources Canada. The City of St. John’s donated land for the project valued at $50,000.
“NLHC and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment have been, and continue to be, supportive of this project. I am particularly proud to be a part of the collaboration between the various government departments involved in the development of this vital new centre,” said Minister Burke. “This project will provide valued and necessary supports for our youth, and is a perfect example of the wonderful things that can be accomplished when we come together as a community. On behalf of the provincial government, I am happy to share in the official opening of the Choices for Youth Services Centre.”
"Everyone involved should be proud of this facility that has been many years in the making,” said Minister Ottenheimer. “It’s a very positive day for our community and the Department of Health and Community Services is pleased to share in this event, recognizing the dedicated work of many individuals.”
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador contributes annual program funding to sustain the Centre’s activities, including $571,000 from the Department of Health and Community Services, $296,354 from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and $297,309 from Health and Community Services - St. John’s Region.
“On behalf of the City of St. John’s, I want to congratulate everyone who worked hard to make this project a reality. It addresses a need identified by the community, and I am pleased that the City was able to support the project by providing land and waiving property taxes and permit fees. We will continue to do everything we can to support your work,” said Mayor Andy Wells.
Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices for Youth said the new Youth Services Centre will greatly benefit young people. “We will be able to better serve young people in need at this new facility. I know it will be welcomed by everyone concerned, and I want to thank the Centre’s staff, three levels of government, local community organizations, the corporate community and many individuals who supported us in this endeavour,” he said.
As lead proponent, Choices for Youth is the owner and operator of the Centre. In addition to its existing Supportive Housing Program, Choices for Youth operates a shelter for young men from 16-29 years of age. Choices for Youth also supports the coordination of existing programs and services, as well as the development of new opportunities to meet the needs of youth.
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Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 2,600 projects, funded wholly or in part by the National Homelessness Initiative. These projects will result in:
· the creation of approximately 10,000 new, permanent beds in shelters, transitional, and supportive houses;
· the construction or renovation of roughly 1,100 sheltering and supportive facilities such as emergency and transitional shelters, soup kitchens or drop-in centres;
· the transfer of 50 federal surplus properties worth over $9.2 million, which will result in the creation of 214 transitional and affordable housing units; and
· in addition to the Government of Canada investment, partnerships have leveraged almost one billion dollars towards the implementation of homelessness projects in Canada.
CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency with a mandate to help Canadians gain access to safe, quality and affordable housing. CMHC supports the Canadian housing industry and improves the living conditions of Canadians through its lines of business in mortgage loan insurance and securitization, assisted housing, research and information transfer and the promotion of Canadian housing exports.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, also spends approximately $2 billion each year primarily in support of some 636,000 lower-income households.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, some $64 million is spent each year, primarily in support of some 13,000 housing units that are occupied by lower income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, and victims of family violence.
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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
- Shelter Enhancement Program and Proposal Development Funding, visit our
Web site at: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
For more information, contact:
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Wayne Piercey, HRSDC/SDC
Government of Canada
(709) 772-5346
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Sheldon Pollett
Choices for Youth
(709) 754-3047
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
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