GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOSTERS
LEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG WOMEN IN LONDON

LONDON, Ontario – On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Mr. Ed Holder, Member of Parliament (London West), today announced Government of Canada support for a new project to encourage women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles.

“Our Government recognizes that real and lasting change happens best when it grows from the community level,” said Minister Ambrose. “That is why I am proud that our Government has increased funding for Canadian women to its highest level ever by supporting grassroots organizations working to encourage women to participate fully in economic, social and democratic life in Canada.”

Mr. Holder announced that the London Urban Services Organization Centre (LUSO Community Services) is receiving $40,975 through the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada for its project, entitled D.A.M.E.S. (Daughters and Mothers Experiencing Success).

To qualify for funding under the Women’s Program, projects must work to promote equality and the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

“LUSO’s ground-breaking project will empower women in London to take on strong leadership roles within their communities and families, creating lasting change,” said Mr. Holder. “LUSO’s ground-breaking project will empower women living in low-income areas of London to take on a strong leadership role within their communities and families, as well as in their daughters’ lives, creating lasting change.” 

“Through this project, LUSO is responding to community members’ experience of isolation and exclusion – issues that are attributable to poverty, cultural barriers, a lack of social supports and mental health issues,” said Ms. Elisabete Rodrigues, Executive Director of LUSO. “Our 18-month project allows marginalized women to gain key life skills, such as financial literacy and healthy relationships, that their daughters can model, as a way of breaking free of the inter-generational cycle of poverty and violence.”

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like these because they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada, while strengthening our families, our communities and our country.

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