New funding for the construction of IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Innusirvik Community Wellness Hub was revealed on Nov. 16 at the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre.
More than $7.2 million for the hub was announced by Carolyn Bennett, the federal Mental Health and Addictions Minister.
The new building, which is currently under construction, will see spaces made available to community non-profit organizations in Iqaluit. The plan is to introduce areas where Iqaluimmiut can access early learning language/cultural programs, child-rearing/parenting, land-based programs for youth, literacy programs, drop-in public health and health promotion campaigns, as well as community-led initiatives.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is about working for our partners and particularly Inuit governments, organizations, communities. This is about building the future we want,SA国际影视传媒� said Bennett.
The new centre will provide a home for Qaujigiartiit, the Ilisaqsivik Society and the Tasiuqtigiit Hand-in-Hand Society.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is exciting to see community supports and services will be provided by different organizations under one roof to Nunavummiut family, youth and seniors experiencing poverty,SA国际影视传媒� Bennett added.
The announcement was even more exciting for the Qauigiartiit board, who have been working for six years toward this goal of seeking land and funding for Innusirvik.
SA国际影视传媒淪ix years ago, we began to actively seek land and funding to create the space,SA国际影视传媒� said Gwen Akearok, executive and scientific director of Qaujigiartiit. SA国际影视传媒淎s a non-profit organization we of course have experience numerous setbacks to create something we know is needed by our community. This funding - has been a tremendous and significant in realizing our collective vision and doing so in a way thatSA国际影视传媒檚 sustainable and mindful of our environment in climate change.SA国际影视传媒�
Qaujigiartiit hopes to open the hub in September 2023.
SA国际影视传媒淭his is very significant as a non-profit organization. The hub provides space to existing community-serving non-profits that already have funding to provide community services. Instead of fighting over a school gym or whatever space there is available in the community, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a dedicated space,SA国际影视传媒� said Akearok.
SA国际影视传媒淪upporting projects like these is essential to fostering better health outcomes, including positive mental health and well-being,SA国际影视传媒� added Bennett.
The total cost of the hubSA国际影视传媒檚 construction is $12.5 million. Qaujigiartiit still needs about $1.5 million to reach its goal following the funding announcement.
SA国际影视传媒淭his building has a been a labour of love for all of us and has been made possible by all the support and care we received from Iqalummiut over several years,SA国际影视传媒� said Akearok. SA国际影视传媒淚n turn, we hope to demonstrate that this initiative will stabilize the non-profit sector, which excels in elevating pathways to well-being into the lives of the families, children and grandchildren we all serve.SA国际影视传媒�
