FOR RELEASE     #11-179
December 13, 2011

WHITEHORSE—Yukon community organizations and groups will share $580,874 of Community Development Fund (CDF) monies distributed by the Yukon government in the latest Tier 1 and Tier 2 intakes.

“The Yukon government’s Community Development Fund supports community well-being, creates jobs, and generates spending on Yukon goods and services that benefit Yukon residents and communities,” Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon said. “These projects represent a wide range of community efforts that demonstrate the program’s popularity and versatility.”

The Whitehorse History Book Society, one of the organizations receiving funding, will use $25,000 in CDF funding to research, write and publish a book about the history of Whitehorse.

“We will be contracting Helene Dobrowolsky and Linda Johnson, two well-known writers with a great deal of historic background, to lead this project,” Whitehorse History Book Society chair Ione Christensen said. “Other writers will provide input around certain themes like sport and recreation, the steamboat, architecture, First Nation history and other themes.”

“This is Whitehorse's story, how it was developed, and the things and the people that impacted its growth, making it the city we have today. The stories and photos will go back prior to the first contact with Europeans. There is no shortage of material, so we will need disciplined editing to keep it to a manageable size,” Christensen added.

The Community Development Fund offers three funding levels. Tier 1 is available for requests up to $20,000. Tier 2 is available for applicants requesting $20,001 to $75,000 and Tier 3 is available for requests over $75,000.

The next intake deadline is Friday, January 13 for Tier 1 and Tier 3 projects. Organizations are strongly encouraged to contact Community Development advisors well before the deadlines for assistance with their applications and to develop project ideas. To learn more visit the CDF or contact the CDF office at 867-667-8125 or 1-800-661-0408, ext. 8125.

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See backgrounders below.

Backgrounder: Tier 1 Community Development Fund Recipients

Town of Watson Lake - $20,000
To provide quality weight and cardio equipment to help improve the overall health and well-being of Watson Lake citizens. Contact: Meaghan Kimmitt at 867-536-8022

Volunteer Bénévoles - $20,000
To create a marketing plan that will attract sponsors, making the group self-sufficient and less reliant on government funding. The project will create 290 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Bruno Bourdache at 867-456-4304

Yukon Council on Disability - $20,000
To consult with key informants and create a website that will host disability policy and resources, and will coordinate agencies and information for employers and job seekers. This project stems from a Government of Yukon Advanced Education initiative to increase the representation of people with disabilities in the workforce via a Yukon disability employment strategy. The project will create 288 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Lisa Rawlings-Bird at 867-668-6703

Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (Yukon Region) - $20,000
To engage First Nation youth as Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge apprentices, equipping them with tools, training and inspiration to pursue the integration of scientific careers and traditional knowledge. The project will create 780 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Jody Inkster at 867-393-2199

Yukon Women's Transition Home Society - $20,000
To hire a team of consultants, including an architect, a lawyer and a contractor, to advise on the request for proposals process, and on the design and construction process of second-stage housing. The project will create 143 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Barbara McInerney at 867-633-7722

Tegatha'Oh Zheh (TOZ) - $18,000
To hire a consultant to provide a comprehensive report on options and costs for a new location that fits the needs of TOZ. The project will create 225 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Ray Marnoch at 867-668-2047

Frostbite Music Society Yukon - $16,200
To develop marketing initiatives for the Frostbite Music Festival while strengthening the festival's profile and audience engagement. The project will create 180 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Andrea Burgoyne at 867-668-4921

Many Rivers Counselling and Support Services - $13,322
To offer training to outreach van staff in mental health, first aid and de-escalating violent situations. This project will create 24 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Beckie Huston at 867-667-2970, ext. 240

Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society - $12,920
To retain the services of a qualified professional to develop a health and safety program and manual. Contact: Greg Meredith at 867-456-7313

Teslin Minor Hockey Association - $7,511
To purchase a new skate sharpening unit in order to improve the safety and enjoyment of all skaters. Contact: Doug Hogan at 867-390-2530

Yukon Invasive Species Council - $6,375
To host the Pulling Together Against Invasive Species Workshop for professionals, all levels of government, First Nations and interested Yukon residents. The project will create 142 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Andrea Altherr at 867-393-3394

Yukon Curling Association - $5,000
To provide Yukon residents with mobility impairments an opportunity to experience curling as a recreational opportunity. The project will create 40 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Wade Scoffin at 867-667-7121

Yukon College: Dena Cho Kanadi Ross River Campus - $4,364
To offer two wellness workshops where participants will be introduced to the healing techniques of Reiki and the Emotional Freedom Technique. The project will create 20 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Yasmine Djabri at 867-969-8800

Backgrounder: Tier 2 Community Development Fund Recipients

Great Northern Ski Society - $67,500
To add bicycle rack components to 25 chairs on the new chair lift and undertake some specific electrical work on the lift. Contact: Craig Hougen at 867-333-0144

Whitehorse Curling Club - $60,000
To construct a small expansion to the club’s existing office space. The project will create 500 hours of employment for five people. Contact: Matt Bustin at 867-667-2875

Village of Haines Junction - $59,550
To complete the ground work and landscaping at the village square and provide a picnic and rest area that encourages visitors to spend time in the community. The project will create 300 hours of employment for seven people. Contact: Darlene Sillery at 867-634-2842

Yukon Broomball Association - $54,325
To undertake various facility improvements, including: the purchase and installation of a multi-functional outdoor scoreboard/clock with protective mesh, purchase and installation of a concrete pad at the main rink entrance, upgrade the parking lot to ensure proper drainage, and upgrade and retrofit the bleachers. The project will create 259 hours of employment for 10 people. Contact: Chris Bookless at 867-456-6781

Grey Mountain Housing Society - $47,489
To conduct a social housing options analysis that will assess the financial case of 15 housing units in terms of energy retrofits, potential sale or replacement. The project will create 311 hours of employment for four people. Contact: Heather Saggers at 867-633-4880

Societe Des Immeubles Franco-Yukonnais - $30,000
To add insulation within the attic space of the organization’s building. The project will create 70 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Martin Poirier at 867-668-2663, ext. 550

Watson Lake Daycare Centre Society - $30,000
For various upgrades and renovations to the daycare allowing for safe, productive and useable space. Program expansion and increased revenues will also be achieved. The project will create 500 hours of employment for four people. Contact: P.J. Hombert at 867-536-2167

Whitehorse History Book Society - $25,000
To research, write and publish a book about Whitehorse history from the time prior to first European contact up until present day. The project will create employment for seven to eight people. Contact: Ione Christensen at 867-667-7390

Canadian Whitehorse Multi-Cultural Association - $23,318
To provide homework support and tutoring for Grade 1 to Grade 8 students Monday through Thursday with an emphasis on math and English. The project will create 756 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Laliithaa Krish at 867-335-8678