The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and Station 20 West (S20W) are expanding their partnership in order to provide more health education and outreach programs in Saskatoon's core neighbourhoods.

"S20W is really about building strong, healthy communities and taking action against health inequalities at a grassroots level," and that's very important to SUN and its members, says Tracy Zambory, SUN President.

The partnership will explore cooperation on health education, which has been identified as a key component to addressing the socioeconoic conditions that are the cause of health disparities currently seen between the city's poorest and most affluent neighbourhoods.

S20W opened in the fall of 2012 and combines housing, employment, and new mother and food security programs with neighbourhood health offices.

The Good Food Junction Co-op is one of the services provided by Station 20 West.

In addition to the partnership, SUN is forgiving a $250,000 loan that was given to the project in 2009.

"SUN's initial commitment of a $100,000 donation and a $250,000 loan in 2009 came at a critical time that helped propel S20W forward," says Valerie Veillard, Chair of the S20W Board of Directors. "[The] decision to forgive the $250,000 loan puts us in a good position to continue and further our goals of working with the community to address disparities as well as ensure the viability of the Good Food Junction Co-op."