Northern Health announces IMAGINE grants

Northern Health has awarded $187,572 in grants for community-driven programs in the northern interior.

Prince George organizations account for half of the 49 IMAGINE grant recipients announced Wednesday. The goal is to support projects that address a community need and "promote safety, health and well-being," the release said.

"All of us want to see improved health outcomes in our communities. IMAGINE Grants support community driven programs that are designed to encourage healthier lifestyle choices," said Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount in a statement. "Each of the programs receiving a grant is unique but they share the important goal of improving health care outcomes in northern B.C."

Prince George partners include the Canadian Mental Health Association, Connaught Youth Centre Society, elementary schools, the YMCA and more. The programs represent a real range of services from community gardens to gymnastics, domestic violence and suicide support groups to meals program for kids. The activities target all ages.

Some aim to increase access to healthy foods through community garden boxes and greenhouses. Other organizations will buy equipment and organize activities "to encourage activity, boost independence and reduce social isolation in seniors."

Dr. Sandra Allison, Northern Health's Chief Medical Health Officer, called the grants a unique approach to health promotion in the north.

"We know that health happens in communities and it is inspiring to see the impact of community-driven, locally-designed health projects like those supported by this recent round of grants," Allison said. "Each IMAGINE Community Grant recipient is a partner in our shared goal of improving the health of northern people, families, and communities."

The next cycle of the IMAGINE grants will be announced in the early fall. The cycle gave to the following communities: Bouchie Lake, Burns Lake, Giscome, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Hixon, Mackenzie, McLeod Lake, Quesnel, Stellat'en, Ten Mile Lake, Valemount and Wells.

This round of IMAGINE grants goes to:

Prince George

• AiMHi - Power of You: Youth Empowerment Program
• Caledonia Early Care and Learning Centre Society - Nature Based Play Area with Gardens
• Canadian Mental Health Association Prince George Branch - Rent Readiness
• Centre for Learning Alternatives - The Alternative Comprehensive School Health Adventure
• Connaught Youth Centre Society - Youth Gymnastics, Tumbling and Healthy Food Gardening Program
• Crisis Prevention, Intervention & Information Centre for Northern BC - Suicide to Hope
• Harwin Elementary School - Meals Program
• Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George - Enhancing Physical Activity and Mental Health Through Yoga Story Time
• Le Cercle des Canadiens-Francais de Prince George - Creating a Francophone Community Garden
• Peden Hill Elementary School - Rockin' Afterschool Program
• Positive Living North - Over 50's Group
• Prince George District 4-H - Livestock Pens for 4-H
• Prince George Montessori Education Society - Spinning to Success
• Prince George New Hope Society - Safety, Well-Being and Security for Women
• Prince George Public Library - Bike Racks and Books
• Prince George Secondary School - Project Green Sustainable Space
• Quinson Elementary School - Let's Get Stepping!
• Ron Brent Elementary School - Spin to Learn
• Sacred Heart School - Playground
• Scouts Canada - Cascadia Council (Central Interior Area) - Canoeing: A Safe and Healthy Outdoor Activity for Scouting Youth
• Southridge Elementary School Community Garden Committee - Over the Ridge School Community Garden
• The John Howard Society - Equine Facilitated Wellness for the Victims of Domestic Violence
• UNBC Childcare Society - Mini Greenhouse Food Security Program
• Westwood Elementary School - Family Fit
• YMCA of Northern BC - Get Active PG

Bouchie Lake

• Bouchie Lake Elementary - Skate Safe
• Bouchie Lake Elementary - Get Out in the Snow

Burns Lake

• Cheslatta Carrier Nation - Healthy Kids
• Eaglet Lake / Giscome
• Eaglet Lake Farmers' Institute - Eaglet Lake Farmers' Institute "Farm It" Documentary

Fort St. James

Stuart Lake Seniors Association - Seniors Locally Sourced Healthy Eating Program

Fraser Lake

Village of Fraser Lake - Community Cross Country Ski Program

Granisle

• Granisle Peer Support - Community Garden
• Village of Granisle - Healthy Granisle

Hixon

• Hixon Seniors Society - Using Intergenerational Activities to Enhance Community Health & Well-Being in Hixon

Mackenzie

• Morfee Elementary School - School Athletics Program

McLeod Lake

• McLeod Lake Indian Band - McLeod Lake Greenhouse Project

Nadleh Whut'en

• Nadleh Whut'en Health - 2 Thumbs Up

Nak'azdli

• Nak'azdli Whut'en - Nak'azdli Health Centre - Nak'azdli Health Centre Community Garden

Quesnel

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel - Kids in Motion
• Quesnel Canoe Club - Dragonboating for All

Stellat'en

• Stellat'en First Nation - Ball Field Restoration

Ten Mile Lake

• Parkland Elementary School - Growing to Learn, Learning to Grow

Tl'azt'en Nation

• Tl'azt'en Nation Sum Yaz Daycare - Healthy Eating and Food Security

Valemount

• Canoe Valley Community Association - Active Living Kids
• Valemount Elementary Parent Advisory Council Society - VES Outdoor Recreation Club

Wells

• Wells and Area Community Association - Wells Community Garden Improvement

Regional projects

• Carrier Sekani Family Services - Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program: Families Cooking Together (Saik'uz First Nation, Takla Lake First Nation, Yekooche First Nation)
• HepCBC Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Society - Hepatitis C Bus Ad Awareness Campaign (Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Terrace)
• Promotion of Wellness in Northern BC - Let's Explore Active Ageing in Northern BC