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(CHAT News file photo)

Community support organizations receive two year funding support

Jun 19, 2023 | 11:32 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – City council approved funding to support several organizations that enhance the well-being of our community.

Council awarded a total of $670,000 through the Family and Community Support Services Contract Funding grants. The grants will provide organizations funding over a two year period until 2024-2025.

Grant applications were scored and ranked and vetted by members of the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board and Public Services Committee.

13 applications were submitted, due to limited funding only seven organizations were selected.

Over half the funding or $361,800 will go towards subsidized mental health care offered by Medicine Hat Family Service.

Other organizations that will receive funding include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat & District, Community Food Association of South Eastern Alberta and the Sanare Centre.

Councillor Ramona Robins says the vibrancy board recommended funding for a wide variety of demographics.

“Things for seniors, things for youth, things for people who are vulnerable and struggling, people who might not be able to pay for counseling can go to Medicine Hat Family Services. So it’s a variety of things that hopefully helps the maximum amount of people possible.” says Robins.

“Those support a number of things in the community, non-profits have projects that they want to work on they couldn’t survive without funding,” adds Robins.

Other successful grant applicants include LEARN Community Adult Learning Council, Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta and the Medicine Hat Public School Division.

80 per cent of the funding for the The Family and Community Support Services Contract Funding grant comes from the province. The city funds the other 20 per cent.