Canadians have been living with the impacts of the pandemic for almost three years. Vulnerable adults, families, children and youth have been among those most negatively impacted. As a result, many children and youth have struggled with social isolation. When services and supports are accessible and targeted at those who are experiencing negative impacts to their well-being from social isolation, they can help children and youth cope with these difficult challenges.
Today, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, announced up to $24.9 million in funding for 17 projects that will ensure programs supporting social inclusion and the well-being of vulnerable children and youth are available in communities across Canada. These projects will promote social inclusion by encouraging self-expression and empowerment through art, teaching youth how to build and maintain meaningful and healthy relationships, and enabling children to engage with their communities and culture. This funding is in addition to $14.1 million announced in August 2022, to support 11 projects to help increase the financial well-being of low-income adults.
Minister Gould made the announcement at the Ifarada: Centre for Excellence, which will receive up to $1.7 million in funding for its project in the Durham region. Ifarada will develop programs to support Black and racialized youth to enhance their social, emotional and cultural pride, such as positive parenting workshops, child and youth counselling and school programs. Through a partnership with Durham Family and Cultural Centre, they will also offer youth services, including youth mentoring workshops, life skill development and business development.
The funding will be provided through the Children and Families component of the Social Development Partnerships Program. This program plays a unique role in furthering broad social goals by making strategic investments to support government priorities related to children and families, persons with disabilities, the voluntary sector, official language minority communities and other vulnerable populations. It provides an opportunity to work in partnership with social not-for-profit organizations to help improve the life outcomes of these target groups.
