A little funding will help make Pictou County healthier.
The Community Health Boards (CHB) of the Pictou County Health Authority announced its Wellness Funds for healthy projects in Pictou County, March 2. A total of 24 local organizations received $57,000 in grants for community projects that promote wellness and health. The CHB contributed $25,000 of the funding and the provincial Department of Health Promotion and Protection contributed $32,000.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County received $2,500 for its Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program. The program will help girls aged 12-14 make informed choices about healthy active living, emotional and social issues they face, and body image.
“As a full fledge grown female, I think body image is huge issue today and we don’t focus enough on that,” said Margie Grant-Walsh, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County. “I think we have to convince girls to be happy the way they are and live healthy lives.”
The grant from CHB will be used to hire a part-time worker to set-up and run the program to be in schools this fall. In the program nutrition, exercise, and food choices will be discussed.
Grant-Walsh said funding from the CHB is important as it allow her to access funding from the IWK for the program.
“No one will fund you unless you are working collaboratively with somebody,” she said.
The Riverview Home Volunteer Association received $5,000 to build a two-kilometre trail behind the facility.
“It’s a good opportunity for physical and mental health of the clients at Riverview,” said Sarah Fraser, member of the volunteer association. Riverview Adult Residential Centre is a live-in facility that cares for adults with mental illness and mental disability.
“We are continuing to look for other sources of funding but with this we can go ahead and start planning for the trail to build this year.”
Other funding recipients are: New Glasgow Junior High School, Community health PCHA Teen Action Group, Multicultural Association of Pictou County, Earth Arc Animal Respite Centre, Bailey’s Hope Society, Start Making Abilities Count, Pictou County Heart and Stroke Support Group, Plymouth Community and Recreation Centre, Let Abilities Work Partnership Society, The Life Centre, United Loser, PICOLA, Summer Street Industries, Family Caregivers of Pictou County, Scotsburn Recreation Club, District One Action Group, Pictou County Helpline, New Glasgow Farmer’s Market Cooperative, YMCA Pictou County, Westville Recreation, and Lismore and District Recreation.