Prince George has been identified as one of seven communities to participate in a pilot project where poverty-reduction strategies will target the unique needs of families struggling to get out of poverty.

Prince George, along with Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Surrey, New Westminster, Stewart and Kamloops have been identified as the first to pilot community poverty-reduction strategies. These communities were recommended by the UBCM to reflect a mix of metro, urban, rural and remote communities across B.C.

"Communities are different. Families are different. That is the essence of this project that promotes collaboration and sharing new, innovative ideas that recognize each community and each family has distinctive needs and resources," said Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development. "The goal is to provide low-income families with tailor-made springboards out of poverty by focusing on their strengths - not just their needs."

"By customizing strategies to draw upon the assets in each community, this initiative will provide better support to families in need," said UBCM President Heath Slee. "UBCM has been pleased to work closely with province on this project and we look forward to contributing more as part of the Provincial Steering Committee."

The ministry is appointing seven community poverty strategy consultants to forge partnerships with local governments, community organizations and local businesses. The consultants will co-ordinate and lead community teams in developing action plans that address the needs of families living in poverty. Action plans with measurable targets will be developed over the summer with implementation scheduled for September 2012.

"Reducing poverty is an important priority for all of us," said Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. "It is essential that we create a plan that addresses the unique issues facing families in Northern B.C. and utilizes the expertise of organizations that currently serve our communities."

Our efforts to strengthen the economy, invest in skills and training and create jobs are working - but we know that we have a lot more to do," said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. "Initiatives like this will complement other investments we've made in the community."

The strategies will optimize existing resources and will initially focus on families with children living in poverty. They will be guided by feedback from town hall meetings, community discussions and conversations with low-income families and individuals vulnerable to poverty. Key to developing successful strategies is recognition that each community has distinctive needs and resources.

Community teams will take responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of the project. Key to these strategies is working directly with families to understand their individual needs, connect them with supports and to develop personalized paths out of poverty designed by families themselves.

"The City of Prince George has a history of working cooperatively and progressively with our community partners to further social development goals," said Prince George Mayor Shari Green. "We welcome the opportunity to work in collaboration with these organizations to act on our shared commitment to address poverty."

"We firmly believe that helping people find their way out of poverty goes beyond addressing immediate needs and requires governments, businesses and community-based service providers to work collectively in developing approaches that address the underlying factors that result in families living in poverty," said Executive Director of the United Way of Northern British Columbia Trevor Williams. "It is encouraging to see that this initiative involves a number of key partners in addressing the issue of families vulnerable to poverty."

The Province will appoint a provincial steering committee, including representatives from provincial cabinet, the UBCM, the voluntary sector and the business community to guide the project.

Once the project has been implemented in the first seven communities, it will be evaluated and expanded to include 20 more communities each year for the next two years. Future strategies will be based on the successes of participating pilot communities and innovative approaches used successfully in other jurisdictions.

For more information on supports for vulnerable families please visit http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/children-and-family-development/factsheets/reducing-poverty-for-low-income-families.html

Contact:

Brian Cotton
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-0543

Marylyn Chiang
UBCM Healthy Communities Committee
604 270-8226 ext. 11