Girls thrive through Playford Alive
A mentoring program equipping girls with skills, information and support to lead healthy and happy lives is among those to benefit from the Playford Alive Initiative Fund.
Housing Minister Jennifer Rankine, said the YWCA program Go Girls: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds was among 14 projects to share in grants totalling $140,000.
“This is the second round of grants and this time, we received 30 applications – all of which showed innovation and a focus on empowering the local community,” she said.
“Through the fund we have been able to help almost half of these applicants support the community from creating employment pathways and opportunities to providing equipment to local groups and sporting clubs.
“The Go Girls program, which received more than $15,000, is a great example of being able to help the community support about 40 girls and young women to make positive decisions across a range of areas including nutrition, exercise, problem solving, goal setting, communication and connecting with the community.
“Mentoring has proven to be one of the best ways to connect with young people and make a real difference. Investing in these young people now is exactly what we need to do to ensure a bright and successful future – for the girls and their community.”
The Playford Alive Initiative Fund supports a wide range of initiatives that will offer improved opportunities for residents living within South Australia’s largest urban renewal project area.
Spanning the size of Golden Grove, the Playford Alive project will create more than 9,000 new homes and renew older homes in Smithfield Plains, Munno Para, Munno Para West, Andrews Farm, Penfield and Davoren Park, with a percentage of land sales revenue soley contributing to the Initiative Fund.
Ms Rankine, who also is Minister for Families and Communities, said the Fund received one per cent of the price of sales from land sold over the 15 year life of the project.
“In total, the Fund will provide around $10 million dollars for community initiatives – a remarkable investment in the area that will make a positive contribution to the local community,” she said.
“This rounds’ major beneficiary is the Civil Contractors Federation SA and Civil Train SA. Through a grant of $42,000 they will be able to create a BMX track – providing training and employment opportunities for locals as well as developing a long term sport and recreation outlet.
“Local people know their communities best. They know the issues and most often, they have the most realistic and practical solutions to their problems. This Fund empowers them to apply those solutions and create their own opportunities – which is integral to the success of any urban renewal project.”
City of Playford Mayor Mr Martin Lindsell who chaired the Fund Management Board responsible for assessing applications praised the calibre of applicants.
“The number and diversity of applications was fantastic and we encourage the community to take part of the process in the future and continue to support the rapid growth in the northern suburbs,” Mr Lindsell said.
For a full list of grant recipients, phone Ian Lamb from the Playford Operations Centre on 8256 0419 or email ilamb@playford.sa.gov.au.
A third round of funding is likely to be offered in October/November 2010. For more information or an application pack, contact Ian Lamb at the City of Playford.
