Three local non-profit organizations are getting a big boost thanks to grants from the United Way.

In an announcement made Monday, the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has been granted $8,500; the 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre Society will receive $3,500; and the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre’s (CFEC) Youth Zone will get $3,000.

The funding for the CMHA will be used for a transportation program.

“We are going to develop a collaborative approach to provincial transportation in those emergency situations where transportation is not already funded,” says Maggie Patterson-Dickey, CMHA’s South Cariboo Branch executive director. “We work with other health agencies to find creative solutions, and this is also a great start towards further potential funding.”

The Women’s Centre is thrilled to have such an influx of funds to use for its Emergency Food Cupboard program, says executive director Terri Lewis.

“We are very excited about it because quite often we hear comments from Food Cupboard recipients that they wish the hampers could include foods with more nutritional value. It’s hard to raise healthy kids with just canned and dried foods.”

She adds the funds will allow the centre to include more seasonal, fresh foods in the emergency food program as well as recipes to explain how to prepare them.

CFEC’s Lloyd Garner says they are ecstatic about the funding for the Youth Zone.

“It’s tremendously appreciated because it’s enabling us to put together a kitchen facility and increase programming for youth in our community

“This programming will include healthy living and nutrition, life skills, personal development, healthy sex education, alcohol and drug awareness — even how to prepare and cook nutritional meals.”

Adding they hope to have new programming available in December, Garner says they will also be open more hours

and will have a

whole new look to go along with their new Youth Zone name, which replaced the previous Youth Resource Centre.

The Youth Zone is located just off Highway 97 near Kal Tire, and program information is available at 250-395-5155.

The Women’s Centre is in the old government (Green) building on Birch Avenue and Fifth Street, and more information is available by phoning 250-395-4093.

The Mental Health Society can be reached by calling 250-395-4883.

Francy Hayward, United Way’s Community Impact Councils co-ordinator, says 100 Mile has a community impact council, made up of United Way champions and supporters.

In the fall, they set out United Way community priorities (pressing community social issues) grounded in their knowledge, experience and research of 100 Mile.  They are transportation, food security, and housing.

The local council did all the decision-making for the United Way proposals that came in, Hayward says, adding there is a grant-application process and organizations must be not-for-profit societies with charitable status to be eligible for funds.

All the funds raised in 100 Mile during the campaign stay in 100 Mile.  United Way has different community funds and donors pick which community they want their money to stay in.