2025

Bay De Grave 50+ Club , Clarke’s Beach – “Walking Program”

This project aims to increase physical activity of its members mainly through walking. Funds from the grant will cover the purchase of walking sticks for members of the 50+ club as well as providing some healthy snacks after their walks. The walking sticks will help increase members’ confidence in taking part in walking as they may help reduce fear of tripping/falling and thus injury. The project will benefit members by increasing their ability to get outside and socialize. The Town has a paved walking trail they can use. The main partner is the United church who provides space for meetings and kitchen use.

Fox Harbour Shamrock 50+ Club – “Community Dart League”

The goal of this project is to form an intergenerational community dart league. The 50+ members brought forward the idea to provide a social and physical activity for its members who identify as male and/or those who do not take part in typical activities of the club such as quilting and sewing. The group also wants to use the dart league to bring youth and older members of the community together. The main partner is the local community centre who will provide space in kind. The funds will be used to purchase materials needed for the league.

O’Shaughnessy House, Carbonear – “Seeds of Hope/Bookworm Project”

This project will consist of an 8 week garden and literacy program for current and previous mothers and children of O’Shaughnessy House. Aims to promote mental week-being and healthy eating through the knowledge and skills for gardening while promoting literacy by reading books about empathy, kindness, healthy relationships, etc. Communities Against Violence is the main partner and will lead a number of the sessions. Funds from the grant will cover the cost of gardening materials, some arts and craft supplies as well healthy snacks for the participants during the program

St. Mary’s Battery Restoration Committee – “Kite Festival and Family Day”

This is an intergenerational project that aims to bring people of all ages together to promote physical activity and mental wellness. The Kite Festival will see the Battery Restoration Committee partnering with the Irish Loop Artisans Co-op to showcase and teach the skill of kite making and flying. St. Mary’s Recreation Committee will also partner to host a corn hole event for all participants and the corn hole games will be available for use by the community after the event. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase supplies for the kites, corn hole games and healthy snacks.

Whitbourne Elementary School – “Pickleball/Volleyball program”

The project aims to promote physical activity by creating a pickleball and volleyball after school program that will be open to all students at the school as well as clubs such as the local 55+ club, cadets, and community summer programs. The partners are the volunteer community members who will start and lead the volleyball and pickleball clubs. Funds from the grant will cover the cost of volleyball poles end pair which can also be used for pickleball.

Lawn Recreation – “Making Healthy Choices”

This project aims to support healthy eating and physical activity of members of the walking club as well as other members of the community during special events. Funds will be used to purchase small equipment such as yoga mats, weights, resistance bands and small kitchen equipment such as blenders to make healthy smoothies. Their main partner is Lawn 50+ Club who will assist with organizing, promoting and hosting community events where the equipment will be used.

Main Street Youth Centre, Grand Bank – “The Art Lounge”

The goal of this project is to offer a Teen Craft Café on a regular basis for all youth of the centre but especially for those who typically do not take part in the centers physical activity programs. The Art Lounge aims to promote positive mental health and well-being by creating opportunities for socialization with peers, provides a creative outlet and supports youth to stay connected to the centre. The funds will be used to purchase resources for the Art Lounge. The main partner is NL Schools who provides the space for programming.

Riverside Elementary, Clarenville – “Hanging Out – The Hammock Garden”

This project promotes positive mental health and well-being as well as providing a tobacco and vape free space for students in grade k-6 through the development of a hammock garden in their outdoor decompression space. The green space can also be used all year round by members of the community for their own enjoyment. Funds from the grant will cover the purchase of materials to build the hammock posts as well as the hammocks. Clarenville Lions Club is the main partner and they have provided financial resources to renew the green space upgrades and will assist with costs towards labor associated with the project.

St. Josheph’s Academy Leadership Committee, Lamaline – “Wellness Wednesdays “

This project will consist of Wellness Wednesday sessions for students of the school whereby students will have an opportunity to participate in mental wellness activities. Each classroom will host a different activity, allowing students to choose what meets their needs. These activities will be planned by the Student Leadership Committee and where appropriate, some sessions will be peer led. Funds will cover the costs for materials needed for the activities as some instructional costs. There are several partners

for this project including NLHS Mental Health Promotion Coordinator, yoga & meditation instructor, local guitar instructor and College of the North Atlantic Culinary Instructor for healthy eating presentations.

Sunnyside 50+ Group – “Wellness and Fun”

The goal of this project is to promote physical activity, mental health promotion and injury prevention among members of the Sunnyside 50+ club through various weekly activities. The funds from this grant will be used to cover the cost of the instruction for Ageless Grace which includes yoga and chair exercises to focus on strength training, joint mobility, balance and flexibility. The partners are Sunnyside Recreation who assists with the set up for the sessions, healthy snacks and other costs not covered by this grant and the Town of Sunnyside who provide space for the program to operate.

Town of Rencontre East – “Community Garden Project”

This project aims to promote healthy eating and supports a healthy environment through revitalizing the existing local community garden and two greenhouses. Funds will be used to purchase new soil, fertilizer, seeds and seedlings. They plan to partner with the local school to involve students in the planting, growing and harvesting of vegetables. The other partner is the local church group who will volunteer their time to help maintain the garden in addition to their regular volunteers. The group will also involve people with mobility issues by delivering produce to them.

Vista Family Resource Centre – “Gym day Program Outreach in Musgravetown”

This project focuses on enhancing physical literacy and activity at their outreach site at Anthony Paddon Elementary. Funds will be used to purchase age-appropriate gym equipment for the families of the FRC outreach program and will also be available for use by the kinderstart students as well. The main partner is Anthony Paddon School who provides the program space for the FRC Outreach Program to operate as well as storage for the equipment. The school also promotes the Outreach program to its school community.