August 20, 2001

SGI funding supports programs for Regina inner-city youth

Alex Guy, chairman of the Ehrlo Community Services (ECS) board of directors, announced today that SGI has agreed to a five-year funding commitment to allow ECS to expand its programming for Regina inner-city youth.

SGI's financial support will be $25,000 over five years for the Sport Venture Library, a sport and recreational program designed to provide access to community recreation activities by Regina inner-city youth.

Sport Venture Library is a division of Ehrlo Community Services, Inc., a non-profit organization that is an associated charity with the Ranch Ehrlo Society. It currently operates four program divisions, focusing on community-based prevention and intervention services.

"SGI is pleased to support the various sports programs offered through Sport Venture," said SGI President Larry Fogg. "We realize how important it is to improve the personal lives of inner-city youth by creating opportunities for them to participate in a variety of sport and recreational activities."

"SGI's support will enhance future development of the existing Sport Venture programs - the nationally-acclaimed Outdoor Hockey League, Dress a Champion, Monday Night Football and a sports equipment lending library," Guy said.

The Outdoor Hockey League, launched in 1998, operates for a 14-week period from December to March for inner-city youth between the ages of seven to 15.

The Dress a Champion program, introduced in 1992, involves collection of used hockey equipment for distribution to youth. Monday Night Football is an organized touch football program for inner-city boys and girls between the ages of eight to 14 years. The league is divided into two age groups and is conducted at four Regina playground areas during September and October.

The sports lending library provides individual and organizations with access to a variety of sports equipment.

"Recreational activity is an important part of our overall philosophy which provides programs to enhance the development of young boys and girls," said Russ Matthews, a teacher and coordinator of the Sport Venture program.

"SGI's support means we can enhance existing programs and consider some new recreational concepts for inner-city youth," he said.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

For additional information, contact:
Russ Matthews
Sport Venture Library
Regina
(306) 751-2411

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