YORKTON WOMEN'S GROUPS RECEIVE INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING GRANTS

Released on July 24, 1998

Health Minister Clay Serby, on behalf of Judy Bradley, minister

responsible for the Status of Women, today presented two Yorkton

women's organizations with grants to enable them to access the

Internet and train members to use the new communications technologies.



The Aboriginal Women of Yorkton and the Parkland Chapter of Women

Entrepreneurs will each 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," Serby said. "This funding will provide women's

organizations with the opportunity to link with groups more frequently

and efficiently, access up-to-date information quickly and meet the

needs of their clients and members more effectively."



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.



Serby 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," Serby

said.



The Aboriginal Women of Yorkton support women and children in

finding services in their community. The Parkland Chapter of

Women Entrepreneurs provides support and educational

opportunities to women who are currently in business.



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For more information, contact:



Neena Saxena

Women's Secretariat

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7012