News Release – Government of Canada funds project to support Surrey multi-ethnic youth-at-risk and their families

Surrey, July 13, 2010 — The Government of Canada is supporting local multi-ethnic at-risk youth and their families by investing in the Surrey School District’s Surrey Appreciates Multi-Ethnicity (SAME) project, Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells, announced on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

“By the end of 2012, the Surrey School District will have reached more than 22,000 participants with the SAME initiative. In supporting this effort, the Government of Canada is acting to help people of all backgrounds succeed and build together a strong, integrated society,” M.P. Grewal said.

The contribution of funding will help launch SAME, which has been designed to provide education and support for at-risk youth and their families. Through educational workshops, recreational and sports activities and community forums, the project aims to assist young people to develop self-confidence, decision-making and leadership, while fostering intercultural understanding and social cohesion.

“Our community is very diverse and our students face many challenges in their day-to-day lives, whether cultural, social or family-based,” said Theresa Campbell, Manager of the Surrey School District’s Safe Schools Department. “We are very pleased to receive support in order to assist students in meeting those challenges in a positive way.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Multiculturalism Program supports projects that promote intercultural understanding and equal opportunity for people of all cultures and faiths. For more information, please visit CIC’s website.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Celyeste Power Minister’s Office Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca