August 14th, 2010, Andrea Houston, Peterborough Examiner

Federal funding announced Friday was aimed at helping women in Peterborough.

MP Dean Del Mastro announced $135,550 for programs aimed at improving the skills and lives of women in the community.

As an ambassador with Community Living's Young Women's Leadership Group, Katie Galloro will go into area schools and make presentations about the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Galloro is one of 10 young women with intellectual disabilities who will soon be trained as leaders and mentors to help other women in similar circumstances in the community, said Barb Hiland, Community Living Peterborough director of operations.   

"When they are fully trained, they will go out and meet with the community and spread their message of inclusion and rights for women," Hiland said.

"We will be matching them up according to their interests and skills."

The group's ambassadors will help people become more aware of people with intellectual disabilities and their positive contributions to the community, she said.

The Young Women's Leadership Group received $62,000 of the funding announced Friday by MP Dean Del Mastro at Community Living's offices on Aylmer St.

"These are women who have shown a leadership potential, and have engaged in different groups," Hiland said. "They are also very involved in women's rights."

Hiland said training for the 24-month project will include about 11 workshops focused on developing the skills the women will need to lead by example.

"All too often people with intellectual disabilities are overlooked or marginalized, not seen as capable, active or even equal citizens," Del Mastro said. "This is influencing women and girls to tackle life challenges and improve their life quality."

Funding for another project was also announced. The Community Opportunity and Innovation Network (COIN) received $73,000 for the Women Leading, Women Learning, Women Working program.

Linda Slavin, COIN general manager, said the 12-month project will assist women to end the violence in their lives and gain financial security.

"This program will work with women with barriers to employment to get them training," she said.

"Then we make sure they have the peer support to help them through the process and transition to employment."

Six organizations in the community, including the YWCA, the New Canadians Centre and the Elizabeth Fry Society, will partner with COIN to work with the women, she said.

The women who will benefit include immigrants, aboriginals, women leaving abuse, victims of sexual violence and those experiencing homelessness, she said.

Through the project, Del Mastro said, 120 women will gain access to multiple support services throughout Peterborough to help them forge financial security and create happy lives free of abuse.

"Women who have experienced domestic violence often face social and emotional challenges," he said.

Slavin said the community always benefits when people who need jobs find work.

"Through these innovative and forward-looking projects women will be empowered to become leaders to access the tools they need for success and create better lives for themselves, their families and our entire community," Del Mastro said.

Both projects are funded through the federal government's Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada, Del Mastro said.

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Additional media coverage here....

Read Press Release from Status of Women Canada - Here

Read Press Release from Community Living Peterborough - Here

Community Living Ontario's Coverage - Here

CHEX TV News Coverage - Here