(AGENPARL) - Roma, 14 Luglio 2022 - (AGENPARL) – gio 14 luglio 2022 [Manitoba Media Notice]
July 14, 2022
Manitoba Government to Support Summer Day Camp for School-Aged Ukrainian Newcomers
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Camp Will Provide Positive Community Connections: Premier
The Manitoba government is providing up to $106,000 to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council (UCC-MPC) to offer a nine-week summer day camp for school-aged Ukrainian newcomer children and youth, Premier Heather Stefanson announced today.
“As part of our ongoing, whole-of-government commitment to provide a full continuum of supports to newly arrived Ukrainians, we are pleased to partner with Manitoba’s Ukrainian community to provide a positive opportunity for families and their children as they establish new roots here in Manitoba,” said Stefanson. “First and foremost, kids need to be kids. This camp will allow them to start regaining a sense of normalcy after the unimaginable loss and suffering they have endured.”
The program will offer a variety of educational, cultural and recreational activities including field trips and transportation for more than 120 children and youth. Specialized services including English as an additional language (EAL) instruction and trauma-informed, culturally appropriate mental health care, will also be offered, the premier noted.
“Our organization has facilitated many summer day camps in the past, providing positive experiences for children of all ages,” said Joanne Lewandosky, president, UCC-MPC. “This year’s camp is arguably the most important in recent memory and I extend my heartfelt thanks to our partner organizations and the Manitoba government for their ongoing and continued support.”
The UCC-MPC is working in partnership with local organizations including the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg, Newcomer Employment and Education Development Services, and the Seven Oaks Settlement Workers in Schools. Together, these organizations have developed a unique collaborative model to deliver quality educational programming to these children.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Catholic parishes of St. Anne, St. Michael, St. Basil and Sts. Vladimir and Olga in Winnipeg and St. Mary’s in Rossdale, are generously providing in-kind support for the camp with access to facilities, program funding, educational programming and supplies, nutritional snacks, and volunteer development, delivery and oversight support.
“Summer camps offer a safe, supportive environment for children and youth to engage in fun cultural and sporting activities,” said Stefanson. “The camp will also provide the opportunity to foster friendship and build connections in the community that will last beyond the summer months.”
The premier noted government’s support of Ukrainians fleeing the brutal violence in their homeland has been immediate, strong and unwavering. In addition to the funding announced today, the Manitoba government has provided $800,000 in direct humanitarian aid including:
– $650,000 to the UCC and Canada-Ukraine foundation; and
– $150,000 to the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation.
The Manitoba government is also:
– supporting the operation of a reception centre where over 4,200 individuals have accessed meals and initial intake services to determine individual and family needs;
– providing short-term hotel accommodations for over 800 individuals currently in staying 400 short-term spaces through the reception centre, until they can transition to more permanent housing.
– ensuring insured health-care benefits are available to Ukrainians,, with over 2,400 health cards processed.
– funding the immigration medical examination required under federal immigration rules, where over 950 claims have been reimbursed; and
– providing a Temporary Assistance Program to over 250 individuals to ensure access to short-term, monthly financial support toward housing, basic needs and supplemental health care including prescription, dental and optical benefits.
For more information about Manitoba’s support for Ukrainian refugees, visit: https://manitoba4ukraine.ca/.
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For more information:
– Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
– Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.