The WestRock Community Centre, formerly Dunfield Park Community Centre, has celebrated its official reopening following an $889,000 refurbishment by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC.) The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NLHC, joined the centre’s board of directors, staff, volunteers, and supporters at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Corner Brook today.
“This newly renovated centre is a very important component of the overall Crestview Avenue neighbourhood revitalization which has seen approximately $6.7 million in investments for building renovations and upgrades since 2008,” said Minister Hedderson. “On behalf of everyone at Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, I extend congratulations to the WestRock Community Centre. I have every confidence this enhanced centre will remain the heart of the community for many years to come.”
The WestRock Community Centre is one of eight community centres, supported by NLHC. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation also supports 10 affiliated neighbourhood centres, and 38 neighbourhood associations throughout the province.
“The staff and board of directors should be very proud of what they have accomplished here,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “This wonderful new facility will help them continue their valuable work providing programs for tenant families and area residents.”
The centre offers programs such as After School Drop-in, Homework Haven, Computer Program, Kids Eat Smart, Adult Basic Education, Skills Links, and a variety of sports and recreational activities.
“On behalf of our board of directors, staff, tenants, and the many residents of Corner Brook who count on our centre for direction and support in the pursuit of a better quality of life, we are delighted that you have come to celebrate your new community centre and take in all that is yours to enjoy,” said Ben Fitzgerald, WestRock Community Centre’s Executive Director. “A special thanks to the Provincial Government, NLHC CEO Len Simms, Karen Moores, NLHC’s Community Development Manager, and all NLHC staff for supporting our vision and helping us bring enhanced employment, education, health, recreation and social programs and services to area tenants and neighbours.”
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a 10-year vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.
NLHC is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications
Government Members Office
709-729-3551
tessburke@gov.nl.ca
Ben Fitzgerald
Executive Director
WestRock Community Centre
(709) 634-4077
director@dpcc.nf.net
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), will attend the official reopening and renaming of the former Dunfield Park Community Centre in Corner Brook tomorrow (Friday, October 5) at 11:00 a.m.
Minister Hedderson will be joined by NLHC’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Len Simms. The event will be held in the community centre building at 9 Vine Place, Corner Brook.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Iris Kirby House shelter for women received a boost from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) at its annual fundraiser in St. John’s last night (Wednesday, September 26.) The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NLHC, presented the Iris Kirby House Foundation with a $25,000 donation toward the shelter’s planned expansion project.
“Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is a proud partner of Iris Kirby House, and a proud supporter of the volunteers, partners, and staff who do such great work with the organization,” said Minister Hedderson. “Our government continues to build its relationship with Iris Kirby House through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and with this contribution, we are investing in its long-term goal of expanding support to women in vulnerable circumstances.”
The Iris Kirby House Foundation aims to raise $400,000 in support of its Up & Out project to expand the women’s crisis shelter facility in St. John’s.
“Our government remains committed to preventing violence against women, children and all vulnerable populations in the province through our $12 million Violence Prevention Initiative,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “All women and children deserve to live in safe homes and communities without fear of violence. I commend the work of the staff and volunteers of the Iris Kirby House who play a vital role in assisting women and children as they move towards a life free of violence and abuse.”
Iris Kirby House was the province’s first shelter for women, and since 1981 has provided critical support, distress lines, public education and crisis intervention to women and their children. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has worked with the facility since 1990 when the housing authority first established a Victims of Family Violence Policy, which gave victims of violence first priority for housing.
“In moving forward to meet the demands of a growing society and the women and children who are presenting at our doors, this extension, known as our Up & Out project, is necessary,” said Gail Tobin, Executive Director of Iris Kirby House. “The strong partnerships we have developed with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the province, and their support of the work we do with victims of domestic violence, have been very important to our success.”
The planned expansion will bring total emergency beds to 32 at the St. John’s site, for a total of 47 when combined with the sister shelter, O’Shaughnessy House, in Carbonear.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a 10-year vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
michellehunt@gov.nl.ca
Gail Tobin
Executive Director, Iris Kirby House
709-722-8272
gailtobin@iriskirbyhouse.nf.net
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will address the Iris Kirby House Foundation’s annual fundraiser, today (Wednesday, September 26). The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at Glendenning Golf Course, 120 Gabriel Road, St. John’s.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca