The provincial and federal governments have partnered to provide financial assistance to support the expansion and renovation of a youth shelter in Grand Falls.
Today, Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique Mactacquac, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Social Development and Housing Minister, officially opened the new addition of Centre Jeunesse Oasis Youth Center. The shelter received funding for improvements as part of the Canada – New Brunswick Shelter Enhancement Program.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP Allen. “These projects are helping young people in our community access safe and suitable housing, and build a stronger future for themselves.”
“We are pleased to join our partners in this project to see more shelter units being created for the benefit of young people from Madawaska and Victoria counties,” said Minister Lamrock, who is also the minister responsible for housing. “A safe, secure place for a young person is crucial to their development and is part of our government’s efforts to better support youth at risk in the province.”
The project received $157,654 from the federal and provincial governments to assist with repairs of the existing facility and the addition of two apartments and three extra rooms, as part of the Shelter Enhancement Program.
Centre Jeunesse Oasis Youth Center is a group home for at-risk youth aged 12 to 18 from the Madawaska and Victoria area, as well as elsewhere in the province. The center provides shelter, support and an educational program for up to six young men, or young women at any given time.
A new program consisting of two supervised apartment settings has been added to prepare older youth for independent living as they move through the program.
“Since 1992, Centre Jeunesse Oasis Youth Center has been providing a safe, secure home for young people. We are very pleased to have an opportunity to expand our facility and make necessary improvements,” said Hubert Morin, President of the centre’s Board of Directors. “This funding has enabled us to better prepare young people to develop the life skills and confidence to live independently.”
The Canada – New Brunswick Shelter Enhancement Program provides financial assistance to repair and or rehabilitate emergency shelters and second stage housing for victims of family violence to an acceptable standard of health, safety and security for occupants and accessibility for persons with disabilities. It also aims to increase the number of emergency shelters and second stage housing units available to women and children or youth who are at risk.