City of GP announces new poverty reduction initiative and bursary for female education

The City of Grande Prairie marked International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17th during their “Opportunities for All: Tackling Poverty Together” event.

According to the City, the event highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to solving poverty by addressing social challenges while emphasizing the strength of the community, which Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says is a “requirement.”

“Poverty is a complex issue that requires the whole community working together,” she says. 

Some highlights from the event include the launch of a new bursary program aimed at supporting women in the pursuit of post-secondary education. The city says the funding comes from Charles Backman and the Backman Family Fund through Northwestern Polytechnic.

The new “Empowering Women, Transforming Futures Fund” aims to provide financial assistance to women facing socio-economic challenges, providing access to education that can transform their lives.

“It’s not just about income, it’s about access to education, housing, and community social services,” Clayton says.

Residents who are interested in getting involved can visit the city’s website for opportunities within the new initiative.