Brooke Simon, Carol Syrette, Carlee EaglePlume and JoLynn Parenteau of the Miywasin Friendship Centre accepted the Smart and Caring Community Grant from CFSEA representative Barb Kenworth (centre).--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Two Medicine Hat-based charities have received funding from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta’s Smart and Caring Community Grant program.
Miywasin Friendship Centre and the Connection Intercultural Association were each provided a grant to help support and sustain programs.
Miywasin received $10,000 for the Ribbons, Fabric and Connection to Culture program, which teaches participants how to create traditional crafts and clothing, such as ribbon skirts. The Connection Intercultural Association was awarded $4,000 for the Kindness Box program, which provides welcome packages to individuals and families who have recently immigrated to Canada.
Grant recipients are chosen based on their ability to meet the most crucial needs of the community, as determined by CFSEA’s annual Vital Focus event. The needs deemed most crucial in 2021 were mental health, work and economy and vulnerable populations.
“Our recent Vital Focus highlighted the current grant priorities and the importance of working together to create change,” CFSEA acting executive director Niki Gray said in Tuesday’s release. “The fall grant recipients (are) representative collaborations and fostering connections between diverse groups across the region. Each one of these initiatives shows promising impact for their communities.”
In total, 14 regional charities were awarded more than $100,000 in grants. The 2022 Smart and Caring Community Grant applications open in February.
