WEYBURN WOMEN'S GROUP RECEIVES INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING GRANT

Released on July 16, 1998

Judy Bradley, minister responsible for the Status of Women, today presented a Weyburn women's organization with a grant to enable them to access the Internet and train members to use the new communications technologies.



The Violence Intervention Program will receive $7,000 from the Women's Organizations On Line Program, an initiative of the Saskatchewan Women's Secretariat.



"This program will strengthen the ability of community groups to deal with pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment and family violence," Bradley said.



"This funding will enable the Violence Intervention Program to network more easily, access information more quickly and serve the needs of our members more effectively," Violence Intervention Program counsellor Karyn Fleck said.



The majority of groups receiving funding provide support and services to lower income women, First Nations or Metis women, rural or northern women, visible minority and immigrant women and women who are victims of violence.



Bradley noted that at a recent Internet symposium for Saskatchewan women, keynote speaker and President of Meta Strategies Inc. Liz Rykert stated that this program is in the forefront in Canada and that Saskatchewan is leading the way for other provinces and territories.



"We look forward to Saskatchewan women's organizations' strong presence online locally, nationally and internationally," Bradley said.



The Violence Intervention Program provides counselling, crisis intervention, support groups, a crisis shelter and a 24-hour help line for those affected by family violence and sexual assault.



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For more information, contact:



Neena Saxena

Women's Secretariat

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7012



Karyn Fleck

Violence Intervention Program

Weyburn

Phone: (306) 842-8821