**** NS GOVERNMENT Media Release

Government Invests in Dartmouth Food and Family Centres
———————————————————————————————————————
The Dartmouth Family Centre will soon be located next to the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre, allowing more people to access family programs and healthy eating.

Premier Stephen McNeil visited the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre today, Sept. 24, to announce that government will invest $100,000 to help staff and volunteers offer combined programming out of a central location.

“We are committed to creating a healthier province and reducing barriers for Nova Scotians to access the services they need,” said Premier McNeil. “This is an important investment in the Dartmouth community and will help ensure families are supported.”

The Dartmouth Family Centre offers parenting and family supports to children and families, but its current location is not accessible for persons with disabilities. Funding will go toward renovating a new space that is fully accessible to all. This includes ensuring the new location is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly.

The Dartmouth North Community Food Centre features an urban farm and hosts free community meals for people of all ages, as well as programs to support healthy eating.

Quotes:
“Nova Scotia is at its best when everyone has an opportunity to participate. Having the Dartmouth Family Centre and the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre in one accessible location means more people can connect to important services in their community barrier free.”
— Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services

“Creating a new Family Centre will make our services more accessible to families in Dartmouth North and will create important opportunities for us to integrate and expand our programs. We are grateful that the Province of Nova Scotia is making this significant investment in our community.”
— Wendy Fraser, executive director, Dartmouth Family Centre/Dartmouth North Community Food Centre

“My kids and I are starting over. But I worry a bit less and smile a bit more because I have a constant through all of it and that is the support of the family centre. I’m so happy that the Dartmouth Family Centre and Dartmouth North Community Food Centre are going to be under one roof and offering more services to the community.”
— Diana Franklin, participant, Dartmouth Family Centre

Quick Facts:
— the Departments of Community Services and Communities, Culture and Heritage will each contribute $50,000 toward the centre’s $500,000 capital campaign
— the location of the new, integrated site will be at 6 Primrose St., Dartmouth, at the current location of the Food Centre
— in 2018-19, the Department of Community Services provided over $290,000 to support the Dartmouth Family Centre’s core work and over $110,00 for the Parenting Journey, a home-based visitation program
— the Dartmouth North Family Centre is celebrating 25 years of service this year
— funding aligns with Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan, supports the goals of SHIFT,  Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for an Aging Population and supports government’s commitment to persons with disabilities

Additional Resources:
Culture Action Plan: https://novascotia.ca/culture/

SHIFT: Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for an Aging population: https://novascotia.ca/shift/