You are here: Home > News > 2008 News > Improving Access To Health And Wellness In Kapuskasing

For Immediate Release
July 16, 2008

News Release

Improving Access To Health And Wellness In Kapuskasing

McGuinty Government Helps Expand Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre

NEWS
The Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre is being expanded to offer five new crucial programs and services that will lead to improved health and wellness for the community.

The newly expanded centre will include a day care, a new program for urban youths between the ages of 12 and 24, a life-long care program for the elderly and disabled, and alternate education counselling services. It will also deliver area-services for the Aboriginal Justice Program, which contributes to decreasing rates of crime and victimization in Aboriginal communities. These will complement existing programs and services like the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy and the Sweet Grass Program that teaches Aboriginal languages.

Ontario provided $176,292 through the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program to help the Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre renovate a newly acquired building.

QUOTES
"Friendship centres are a great support system for the community," said Michael Bryant Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "These centres provide the services that help community members improve their health and wellbeing, and acquire skills that are crucial to success."

"We are incredibly pleased that the government of Ontario is helping us to expand our friendship centre. These programs and services will help to give even more urban Aboriginal people the resources they need to get ahead," said Ernie Lafontaine, the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Coordinator at the Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre.

QUICK FACTS

In 2007-08 Ontario contributed $3.7 million for feasibility studies, construction, and renovation of community centres and small business centres through the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program.
Indian Friendship centres deliver culturally sensitive programming and training through home visits, workshops, seminars and public education forums that improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people in urban centres.
The Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre is used by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members of the surrounding area which has a population of approximately 8,500 people.

LEARN MORE
To find out what the Aboriginal Capital Grants Program is doing to help Aboriginal communities go to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs website.

Greg Crone, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2529
Sofia Sousa-Dias, Communications Branch, 416-326-3187