2007 RoadSmart reports

The reports are written in news release format so that media outlets can use the information verbatim if they wish.

Apply today for a community grant

The deadline is quickly approaching to apply for a grant that could help save lives and prevent injuries in your community.

This is the 10th year of the Community Grants Program sponsored by SGI and the Acquired Brain Injury Partnership Project. The program is designed to help offset the costs of traffic safety and brain injury prevention programs for local organizations.

This year the program has been enhanced and now offers $200,000 in total grants, including funding for new, long-term projects.

"By applying for a community grant with your idea for a great traffic safety or brain injury prevention program, you may have an opportunity to get the funding needed to actually get your initiative started," says Shannon Ell, SGI's Manager of Traffic Safety Promotion. "We're excited this year to offer new funding for long-term projects, as well as our standard, short-term grants that we've offered for the past 10 years."

The maximum amount of money available for long-term projects will be $50,000 per project, while the maximum amount available for short-term projects is around $10,000 per project.

Long-term project ideas may target issues that SGI considers a priority such as research into impaired driving, occupant protection, intersection safety or roadway-based solutions. Short-term project ideas could focus on innovative ideas such as bike rodeos, car seat loan programs or pedestrian safety.

Ell points out the money can't be used to pay existing salaries or to purchase food for participants. It also can't be used for capital repairs, such as fixing roads, improving playgrounds or buying helmets for the local skating rink.

Some of the great ways people have used a community grant in the past include:

• The Canadian Red Cross Society in Yorkton used a grant to hold an older adult security symposium, educating seniors about fall prevention, crime prevention and how to stay fit to avoid injury.
• Assiniboine Valley Health District - Community Services used a grant to start a P.A.R.T.Y. (Preventing Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth) program, which promotes injury prevention by having students follow the path of an injury survivor, meeting the professionals that would care for them in a trauma situation and learning of the painful journey of a trauma patient.
• Rosthern RCMP used a grant to hold a 'Saskatchewan Valley Idols' air band competition for area high schools, with a theme promoting traffic safety and injury awareness.

"We're always looking for new and original programs to support, so be creative," says Ell. "Take a look around your community and see what safety issues need to be addressed."

There are three application deadlines. The deadline for one-year project grants is June 30. The deadlines for short-term project grants are Oct. 31 and Feb. 28 of each year.

Please visit www.sgi.sk.ca for all the registration details or call 306-775-6179 in Regina or toll-free 1-800-667-8015 extension 6179 for more information.