By Red River Mutual

Community Giving Initiative Awards

Red River Mutual’s Community Giving Initiative Helps North Battleford’s Children’s Program

Sep 21, 2020 | 10:21 AM

RED RIVER MUTUAL’S NEW COMMUNITY GIVING INITIATIVE AWARDS $35,900 TO HELP NORTH BATTLEFORD CHILDREN’S PROGRAM IMPROVE THEIR SPACE

In North Battleford, there’s a safe space where kids can find positive role models, engaging programming and even snacks. Boys & Girls Clubs of The Battlefords has been helping kids in the area since 1976, serving as a place where they can learn, grow and make friends from all walks of life.

Up until now, programming ran from an unfinished basement, but thanks to a community grant of $35,900 from Red River Mutual’s Spruce Up Your Story initiative, a new bathroom, flooring, furniture and painted walls will allow them to offer more.

“It’s not just about having a space – we had space, but it wasn’t conducive to running the high-quality programs we wanted at the club,” says Nicole Combres, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of The Battlefords. “There are so many pressures youth face, and it’s important to have a safe space they can come to – a place where they can walk through the doors and know it’s theirs.”

The space will be used by their Husky Energy Youth Program. It’s a program that promotes healthy homework habits, leadership skills, learning and exploration of opportunities in kids ages 11-14. The program is run by a dedicated staff and is a chance for participants to form positive relationships with peers and mentors.

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“I cannot wait for our youth to come back when we’re all spruced and they see their new space,” says Combres. “Our youth have always done a great job to make the place their own, now they’ll have painted walls, proper floors, a space they can take pride and comfort in.”

Construction is already underway, so the project will wrap up in time for kids to head back to school in September.

About Spruce Up Your Story

The Spruce Up Your Story initiative isn’t about bringing a brand-new rec centre or library to life – rather, it honours and protects the spaces that are well-worn and well-loved in our Prairie communities – the places where stories are already being made.

Each Spruce Up Your Story renovation or beautification project was submitted by a local community member. Red River Mutual worked with its network of local brokers to promote the opportunity, and Red River Mutual staff helped determine the winners. This year, Red River Mutual awarded over $150,000 to help restore 10 spaces where people connect, laugh, learn and share across the Prairies.

About Red River Mutual

Red River Mutual believes everyone has a right to feel safe and protected and to know that someone is looking out for them – while we’re watching out for others. With over 67,000 policyholders with homes, farms and businesses all the way from Thunder Bay to the Rockies, Red River Mutual is committed to providing competitive insurance products that meet the changing needs of Canadians. As a company, we know that it’s the people we protect that matter most. That’s why we’ve strived to be a positive force in the lives of our customers and their communities since 1875.