GUELPH, ON, June 5 /CNW/ - Eleven community-based organizations dedicated
to helping disadvantaged Canadians build financial independence have received
a total of $173,096 in grants from The Co-operators Foundation. The funding
announced today supports the charitable and non-profit organizations' efforts
to provide work experience and skills development opportunities to the people
they serve.
    "Community economic development organizations strengthen Canadian society
by helping those they serve become more self-reliant and integrated into the
economic and social networks of their communities," said Kathy Bardswick,
president and CEO of The Co-operators. "A modest amount of funding can make an
enormous impact on the lives of those who benefit from these invaluable
programs."

    Today's announcement includes:

    -   $20,000 to A-Way-Express Courier in Toronto, a transit-based courier
        service that provides employment for people involved with the
        psychiatric system;
    -   $10,000 to ATIRA Women's Resource Centre in Vancouver to support its
        Enterprising Women Making Art program for women and children who have
        experienced violence;
    -   $20,000 to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association in Calgary,
        which provides training to low-income immigrant women;
    -   $20,000 to Centretown Laundry Co-op in Ottawa, which provides
        employment opportunities to recent immigrants as well as homeless,
        low income and unemployed people;
    -   $20,000 to Common Ground Co-operative in Toronto, to support its
        job-coaching initiatives for people with disabilities at one of its
        operations, the Coffee Shed;
    -   $18,096 to the Community Microskills Development Centre in Toronto to
        support a project helping 100 isolated immigrant women become
        economically self-sufficient;
    -   $10,000 to the Enterprising Non-Profits Program for a pilot project
        in Toronto that supports social enterprise development as a means of
        strengthening non-profits and building healthier communities;
    -   $10,000 to Green Enterprise Toronto, which promotes the advantages of
        local business ownership, geographic proximity and social
        responsibility;
    -   $15,000 to Onward Willow in Guelph, Ontario, which supports
        marginalized people by providing opportunities for inclusion in
        social support networks as well as access to employment and
        work-skills development opportunities;
    -   $10,000 to the Ottawa Community Loan Fund to support the development
        of its Alterna Community Alliance Housing Fund, which supports local
        affordable housing projects; and
    -   $20,000 to the Saint John Community Loan Fund in New Brunswick, which
        offers loans and training to low-income entrepreneurs, as well as
        shelter loans and financial literacy education for marginalized
        people in the Saint John region.

    In April, The Co-operators announced a contribution of $1 million to
The Co-operators Foundation, through which it provides financial support to
social economy enterprises and other worthy causes in Canada, including the
eleven grants announced today. Since 1995, The Co-operators has donated more
than $2 million to 54 community economic development organizations across the
country.

    About The Co-operators:

    Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is a group of Canadian
companies offering home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm
insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is a 100 per cent
Canadian-owned co-operative owned by a group of co-ops, credit union centrals
and like-minded organizations. It is well known for its community involvement
and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators,
1-877-795-7272, ext. 2707