Oliver Langdon, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs responsible for housing will be making opening remarks at a non-profit and co-op housing seminar hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) at the Mount Peyton Hotel, Grand Falls – Windsor, on Saturday, October 26, 2002.
NLHC has hosted educational seminars for the volunteer boards of community-based housing groups throughout the province for five years. The first seminar for this year was held in St. John’s on September 7th with 60 participants in attendance. The scene was repeated on September 17th in Goose Bay. This is the third seminar, with a final to be hosted in Corner Brook on November 16th. It is also the first year that the federally-delivered non-profit and co-op housing groups have been in attendance. The objective of these seminars is to provide the volunteer boards that run the co-op, non-profit and seniors housing projects throughout the province with an opportunity to learn about matters relating to board responsibilities, such as administration, maintenance and budget preparation. Along with the educational aspect of the conference, it provides an opportunity to meet and discuss common issues and concerns to better address client needs.
“The long-term commitment and hard work of these community-based groups has ensured affordable housing options continue to be available in communities throughout the province,” said Minister Langdon. “It is with the help of groups like those represented here today, that NLHC is able to achieve its mandate to provide affordable housing and contribute to an enhanced quality of life for the people of this province.”
John Vallis of the Harbour Breton Lions Club, Sunset Cottages, participated in last year’s seminar. He commented: “Seminars like the ones hosted by NLHC cover a variety of interesting topics from administration to insurance and fraud prevention. Given this range of information, it is hard to walk away from one of these sessions without learning something new. For many of the organizations in attendance, it’s a great opportunity to share experiences and pass along ideas that help us enhance the services we provide.”
Over 25 communities throughout central Newfoundland (Gander/Grand Falls – Windsor), as well as Marystown and Corner Brook were represented at today’s seminar. The work of these groups serve over 1400 people or close to 28 per cent of the community-based housing for the province. To help maintain these particular groups, approximately $2.5 million in assistance is provided annually by NLHC.
Six volunteer boards, each celebrating their 20th anniversary this year were recognized. These include: Botwood Seniors Housing Committee; Eastport Peninsula Interfaith; Central Housing Co-operative; Beothuck Housing Co-operative; Exploits Valley Housing Co-operative; all of Grand Falls – Windsor; and Crossroads Housing Co-operative, Gander. Congratulations to all those who achieved this milestone.
“The volunteer efforts of these groups definitely enhance the quality of life for their tenants. Their professionalism and desire to help those in need establishes a high standard in community housing – a fact of which we can all be proud,” said Minister Langdon.
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For further information, contact:
Jenny Bowring, Corporate Communications
Telephone: (709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Tenants from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s (NLHC) non-profit housing and representatives of the corporation are gathered this October 4-5 weekend, at Hotel Gander for the 17th annual tenant conference. NLHC’s Board of Directors, who are holding their 174th meeting in Gander, will also participate in the conference. The announcement was made today by Oliver Langdon, minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, responsible for housing.
“Activities such as the tenant conference have great benefits for all those involved,” said Minister Langdon. “Each year provides a new learning experience, an exchange of information and ideas, and an opportunity to share all the successes each tenant association have accomplished within their community over the year.”
The conference will begin at 7:00 p.m. this evening, with remarks by Mr. Jim Walsh, Parliamentary Secretary (Housing) who is attending on behalf of Minister Langdon, and Mr. Leslie J. Dean, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of NLHC. This year’s conference includes approximately 115 tenants representing 32 tenant associations cross the province. Consultant, Bobbie Boland, will facilitate a “learn-and-return” session on Participatory Evaluation. Essentially this means those participating will have an opportunity to take what they learn during the conference, use the information during various activities in their community, and record the results. During the 18th annual conference in 2003, those previous participants will return with their results to complete part two of the Participatory Evaluation program. Upon completion, each participant will receive a certificate of achievement. This process will help members understand and recognize their strengths, while building on their needs. In addition to board members, representatives from various levels of the corporation, will participate with tenants in each of the workshop sessions.
Three tenant associations, each celebrating their 15th anniversary this year, will also be recognized. These include: Buckmaster’s Circle Tenant Association, representing Buckmaster’s Circle – St. John’s; Tenant Action Association, representing Brophy Place – St. John’s; and Community Togetherness Association, representing Smallwood Crescent – Marystown. Congratulations to all those being recognized this year.
“The tenant conference also provides an opportunity for in-depth discussion of tenant issues. It is this type of face-to-face interaction that allows NLHC to reach out to its clients on a personal level, and ensure there is a continued awareness and understanding of client’s needs,” said Mr. Walsh. “As a learning organization, it is this type of interaction that promotes a team effort and helps the corporation attain its ultimate goal of developing and adapting its housing resources to meet the varying needs of a changing population.”
The conference will conclude on Saturday evening with a banquet for all participants.
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For further information, contact:
Jenny Bowring, Corporate Communications
Telephone: (709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre (BMCC), is the site of a grand celebration today. The centre has recently expanded its space, adding another 125 square metres. This expansion will enable them to provide a greater variety of social, educational and recreational programs and services to a larger number of people. The centre serves approximately 625 people in a 208-unit social housing development owned, operated and maintained by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).
Oliver Langdon, minister responsible for housing and Joan Marie Aylward, MHA, St. John’s Centre and NLHC representatives were on hand today to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the expansion. Frank Galgay, Councillor, City of St. John’s, Tony Janes, Chairperson of the Board of Directors-Buckmasters Circle and Centre Director Jim Crockwell also joined in the celebrations.
“The dedication and hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre is evident in the community and on the smiling faces of the children here today,” said Minister Langdon. “Community centres and the programs they offer provide opportunities to residents that enable them to develop career skills and take part in activities that build self-esteem and awareness. These characteristics play an important role in the continued development and sustainability of any community. This type of empowerment at work on a daily basis, in a community that works together, virtually makes the possibility of their achievements limitless.”
Joan Marie Aylward, MHA, St. John’s Centre added, “I’ve worked with the people of this community to make this extension become a reality. Their pride for and commitment to their community is evident,” said Minister Aylward. “The people of Buckmaster’s Circle are to be commended for the improvements they have made in their community over the years.”
Since its establishment in 1993, one of the motivating forces behind the centre has been the staff, volunteers and board of directors. With their help, now more than 20 programs and services are offered by the centre. Some of these include, an Adult Learners’ Program, a Breakfast Program, Parents’ and Tots’ Program, 50 Plus Program and a Healthy Baby Club, to name a few.
The new renovations and increased space will now provide areas for a modern pre-school, and appropriate space for the Parents’ and Tots’ Program, as well as, a public access computer room and new public health clinic. The expansion also makes the centre more accessible for people with disabilities, and is capable of hosting larger community events such as learning workshops, community forums and social events.
The enhanced space and improvements will assist the centre in achieving its mandate and strengthen its underlying philosophy. The Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre firmly believes that residents need to be engaged in their community in order to feel a sense of ownership and act as true advocates for change.
Funding of $150,000 was cost-shared on 75/25 basis from the federal and provincial government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and NLHC. In addition, NLHC supports the centre through the provision of grant funding to support community centre staff.
“We’ve been able to accomplish so much more than we ever thought possible in the beginning, particularly with the tremendous support we’ve received, from our MHA, Joan Marie Aylward, and all the people participating and helping out at the centre,” said Jim Crockwell, Executive Director, BMCC. “It is this type of enthusiasm and drive to succeed that we’ve been striving to develop in this community. With the improvements to the centre we can continue well into the future setting new goals and building on our strengths in the community.”
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For further information, contact:
Jenny Bowring, Corporate Communications
Telephone: (709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca