HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — The Labrador Friendship Centre's SHIELD Project just got a big boost from TD Canada. The organization is one of 37 across the country that will be receiving musical instruments and equipment, courtesy of the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program.
"For us it means that SHIELD can offer Labrador youth high quality instruments and equipment to grow their passion for music, giving them powerful ways to share their stories,” said Denise Cole, SHIELD project coordinator. “This will give more tools to our wonderful artist role models to contribute to the wellbeing of project participants.”
The MusiCounts program provides musical instruments and equipment to community centres, after-school programs and other community non-profit organizations. The SHIELD project will be recieving $25,000 worth.
Cole said they are proud to strengthen their relationship with the Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre, who will be a major partner in this initiative.
“MusiCounts is giving us the freedom to build the SHIELD project and support young musicians in ways we never dreamed possible. We are so incredibly thankful," Cole said.
The Sexual Health Information Exchange Labrador District (more commonly known as SHIELD) project empowers youth to explore wellness, relationships, self-worth and sexual health in fun and interactive ways that include working with art role models and health professionals.
The Labrador Friendship Centre sponsors the three-year (2018-21) project funded primarily by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s HIV Hep C Community Action Fund. It is aimed at youth from central/coastal Labrador communities.