Winnipeg's Inner City Renovation To Benefit From The Co-operators Grant

June 1, 2005

Winnipeg, MB, June 1, 2005 - Inner City Renovation Inc., a social enterprise that creates employment for low-income Winnipeg residents while revitalizing inner city neighbourhoods, will benefit from a $20,000 grant, which was presented today as part of The Co-operators Community Economic Development Fund.

The enterprise helps individuals in downtown Winnipeg make the transition to full-time employment in the construction industry by providing training, education and social support. In addition to providing quality jobs for low-income Manitobans, it seeks to upgrade inner-city neighbourhoods and create affordable housing.

"This enterprise puts people in need on the road to a brighter future, while improving our community," said Marty Donkervoort, General Manager of Community Ownership Solutions. "It's a real life-changing experience for the people it helps, and this grant from The Co-operators will help ensure that it continues to create opportunities for personal and professional growth."

Inner City Renovation Inc. is a joint venture between six not-for-profit organizations: Community Ownership Solutions Inc., North End Housing Project, Social Capital Partners, Spence Neighbourhood Association, West Broadway Development Corporation and Winnipeg Partners in Housing. Community Ownership Solutions, the community development corporation that founded Inner City Renovation, will use the grant to support its ongoing work with the enterprise. Since its inception in 2002, it has provided quality employment, health benefits, education, and training for more than 50 unemployed or underemployed people.

"The Co-operators is proud to support this enterprise, which is helping to revitalize neighbourhoods, while providing meaningful employment and support systems," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "Inner City Renovation is helping to make Winnipeg a better place to live for all its residents."

The Co-operators Economic Development Fund is a registered charity that was established in 1995 in response to requests from its member organizations. It supports grassroots, community-based programs that target disadvantaged individuals, helping them to build the necessary skills and confidence to find meaningful work and, in many cases, freedom from social assistance. Since its inception, the Fund has supported 36 organizations across Canada with a total disbursement of more than million.