The money will help keep the doors open, says the executive director of the Catholic Family Services Bureau.
Peter Mutch says they’ll be spending the extra $25,000 to expand community outreach programs and counselling services.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THE MONEY GOES
He’s talking about Premier Wade MacLauchlan’s announcement Wednesday that the Department of Community Services and Seniors will be increasing the money it gives to community-based organizations for social assistance and grants by close to $1 million.
The personal comfort allowance for social assistance clients, those who are unable to work, will jump from $53 to $71 per month, beginning April 1.
That money will help pay for personal care, entertainment and other expenses.
Mutch said the need for the counselling services they provide is significant.
“Our numbers increase year after year. We’ve had to expand our services, hire new people just to keep up with the demand,’’ Mutch told The Guardian following the news conference. “It is so important in our field not to have a waiting list so that people are served in a timely manner.’’
The bureau has used money from government in the past to create a walk-in clinic so that people can be seen within 10 minutes, rather than putting them on a list.
The cash infusion is connected to the surplus the department had last year, which was more than $5 million. It’s the first time the allowance has seen an increase in about 13 years.
When a volunteer with Pat and the Elephant spoke up at the news conference to say that all the money stays in P.E.I., MacLauchlan said it’s about supporting Islanders in need.
“We are grateful for the many dedicated community-based organizations that make a real difference in the lives of Islanders who need help with everyday living and with life’s challenges,’’ MacLauchlan said.
Of the 15 community organizations getting extra money, Queens County Residential Services (QCRS) is getting the biggest grant at $150,000. The money will be used to help cover program costs and costs associated with finding housing for its clients.
“Often our group, persons with disabilities, are sometimes the last group to be looked at in times where things are tight,’’ said Bill Lawlor, executive direction of QCRS. “The message we’re feeling is that there is an interest to support this group and make sure organizations are viable.’’
Kevin Porter, executive director of Community Inclusions, said his group will use the extra $75,000 they’re getting to help with facility expansions. Community Inclusions provides a range of residential, vocational, recreational and employment-related services to people with intellectual challenges in western P.E.I.
“We have two new residences that now house 12 individuals that, prior to that, did not have a home to call their own,’’ Porter said, in reference to how important funding is to the group.
The money will help keep the doors open, says the executive director of the Catholic Family Services Bureau.
Peter Mutch says they’ll be spending the extra $25,000 to expand community outreach programs and counselling services.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THE MONEY GOES
He’s talking about Premier Wade MacLauchlan’s announcement Wednesday that the Department of Community Services and Seniors will be increasing the money it gives to community-based organizations for social assistance and grants by close to $1 million.
The personal comfort allowance for social assistance clients, those who are unable to work, will jump from $53 to $71 per month, beginning April 1.
That money will help pay for personal care, entertainment and other expenses.
Mutch said the need for the counselling services they provide is significant.
“Our numbers increase year after year. We’ve had to expand our services, hire new people just to keep up with the demand,’’ Mutch told The Guardian following the news conference. “It is so important in our field not to have a waiting list so that people are served in a timely manner.’’
The bureau has used money from government in the past to create a walk-in clinic so that people can be seen within 10 minutes, rather than putting them on a list.
The cash infusion is connected to the surplus the department had last year, which was more than $5 million. It’s the first time the allowance has seen an increase in about 13 years.
When a volunteer with Pat and the Elephant spoke up at the news conference to say that all the money stays in P.E.I., MacLauchlan said it’s about supporting Islanders in need.
“We are grateful for the many dedicated community-based organizations that make a real difference in the lives of Islanders who need help with everyday living and with life’s challenges,’’ MacLauchlan said.
Of the 15 community organizations getting extra money, Queens County Residential Services (QCRS) is getting the biggest grant at $150,000. The money will be used to help cover program costs and costs associated with finding housing for its clients.
“Often our group, persons with disabilities, are sometimes the last group to be looked at in times where things are tight,’’ said Bill Lawlor, executive direction of QCRS. “The message we’re feeling is that there is an interest to support this group and make sure organizations are viable.’’
Kevin Porter, executive director of Community Inclusions, said his group will use the extra $75,000 they’re getting to help with facility expansions. Community Inclusions provides a range of residential, vocational, recreational and employment-related services to people with intellectual challenges in western P.E.I.
“We have two new residences that now house 12 individuals that, prior to that, did not have a home to call their own,’’ Porter said, in reference to how important funding is to the group.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Following community-based organizations are getting extra funding from province in 2015, how much extra, and what money will be used for:
Community Inclusions ($75,000) – Facility expansions.
Inclusions East Inc. ($75,000) – Supports amalgamation costs of the Kingswood Centre and the Southern Kings Group Home.
Community Connections Inc. ($50,000) – Will cover program costs.
Souris Group Home Association ($25,000) – Will cover program costs.
Queens County Residential Services ($150,000) and Life Bridges ($100,000) – Will help cover program costs.
P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Services ($30,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Transportation West ($20,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Pat and the Elephant ($20,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Tremploy Inc. ($25,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Harbourview Training Centre ($15,000) – Will helpcover program costs.
P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre ($25,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Catholic Family Services Bureau ($25,000) – Will help expand community outreach programs and counselling services.
Salvation Army - fuel program ($30,000) – Support low-income families with heating costs and emergency situations.
Salvation Army - Bedford MacDonald House ($25,000) – Will help cover program costs.
Camp Gencheff ($10,000) – Will help cover program costs.
