$1.15 million Awarded to Local Organizations Working in Poverty Reduction & Social Inclusion

ACF is pleased to announce $1.15 million in funding to support 13 projects in the communities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz-Harrison, Chawathil First Nation, and Seabird Island Band through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. The fund was announced on the inaugural B.C. Nonprofit Recognition Day in 2023. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities. 

The following projects are being supported with the Community Prosperity Fund:

$182,965 is being invested in Hope Community Services to hire an Office/Volunteer Engagement Manager attract and retain suitable volunteers, manage schedules to optimize efficiency, resolve conflicts, and ensure that volunteers feel gratified. Volunteers are critical to their food security programs. A second aspect would be to develop/enhance existing website and online presence to increase their donor base, as well as foster new and existing relationships with community partners to support sustainability of their programs.

$143,835 is being invested in Agassiz Harrison Community Services to support their Food and Social Connection Initiative to enhance barrier-free food security programs and strengthen social connection and inclusion opportunities. Meals will be provided over the three-year period. Families will gather at Family Parenting Place to share a meal each week and receive produce. Seniors will gather for a monthly Senior’s Lunch or monthly Seniors’ Café, where they can socialize, play games and meet new people. Youth will visit their Valley Youth Centre during their school lunch break to have a meal and connect.

$141,960 is being invested in Raven’s Moon Resource Society to assist their residents in finding jobs and getting into educational programs to participate in the housing market and move on to independence. It is also to provide support to unrelated individuals to live communally in a low-barrier setting until they can build skills and improve behaviours to better maintain home and community life.

$126,750 is being invested in Power for All Adventure Therapy to offer a program to address the mental health needs of children and youth including suicidal ideation and community isolation This program has been requested for the past 6 years and will be low cost for families. Children and youth will learn about stress management, self-regulation, growth from trauma, etc. The intention is to offer opportunities for community integration and participation, access to adventure and a variety of experiential activities to enhance and educate children and youth about the relationship of the land to their mental health and well being.

$105,000 is being invested in Cyrus Centre to secure operational expenses that will enhance their ability to support homeless youth. This includes investing in essential upgrades to digital infrastructure to match the growth of services and covering the cost of specific training courses for staff. This funding is crucial for the continuity and enhancement of their programs, ensuring they can effectively address the needs of vulnerable youth in community.

$75,790 is being invested in Ruth & Naomi’s Mission to acquire a 15-passenger van for their recovery programs. Reliable transportation is crucial for participants to access essential services like medical appointments, job training, and recovery activities. Many face significant transportation barriers, limiting their recovery engagement. This van will ensure consistent access to needed support, enhancing recovery success and reintegration. This investment strengthens their infrastructure, fostering a healthier, more resilient community.

$70,000 is being invested in Inasmuch Community Society to grow operations to meet increasing demands. This funding will support building capacity within critical staffing to deliver existing and enhanced programming for those new to Canada including ESL tutoring, re-settlement services and housing.

$60,000 is being invested in Abbotsford Youth Commission to support staff training and capacity to better equip their team to meet the needs of the community through direct intervention and appropriate referral when needed. The development of a new strategic plan, including facilitated sessions for youth, staff and board of directors will be critical in propelling the AYC towards greater stability and long-term resiliency.

$50,000 is being invested in Gathering Market Society to hire an Operations Manager as the organization opens its third location. This position will source the food for Meal Kits from suppliers, producers and grocery stores, coordinate pick ups and drop offs, and build relationships for the successful delivery of this program in community.

$50,000 is being invested in Chawathil First Nation to promote cultural preservation by integrating traditional knowledge and practices into youth activities, providing access to Indigenous youth-specific health and wellness resources, supporting Indigenous youth leadership development to empower future community leaders, and creating safe and nurturing spaces for Indigenous youth to learn, grow, and thrive.

$50,000 is being invested in Cares Counselling Society to provide affordable access for those in community who need mental health services to improve coping mechanisms and be better prepared to maintain employment, ensuring access to food, housing, and other basic necessities.

$48,700 is being invested in Care for Women Foundation to implement both a client management system (CMS) and a client relationship management system (CRM) to effectively monitor and support mothers and mentors. These systems will enhance tailored support, improve service delivery, and ensure efficient operations. They will also facilitate their expansion into a new city next year, scaling our impact and supporting more mothers and newborns during the crucial postpartum period, fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.

$10,000 is being invested in Seabird Island Band to support the 2024 Sto:lo Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative (YEI), a program designed to empower Indigenous youth by providing them with essential financial literacy, business mentorship, and entrepreneurial skills. This initiative aims to address economic barriers faced by their youth, promote education, and create pathways for successful careers. Through this program, they seek to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, enhance socio-economic development, and ensure the long-term prosperity of their community.

Through the Community Prosperity Fund, funded recipients have an opportunity to implement the funding over up to three years and support operational expenses or project delivery. The Community Prosperity Fund supports vital non-profits that serve communities in B.C. Recipients funded are important partners, often providing services to those made vulnerable in all corners of British Columbia.

“Over the past few years, British Columbians continue to showcase resilience, innovation, and tenacity as they face new challenges. Community service groups across the province are playing a pivotal role in supporting communities,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-profits Megan Dykeman. “Myself and Premier David Eby are elated to announce $60 million in funding to not-for-profits, and we thank local community foundations who have supported in the funding’s distribution.”

Areni Kelleppan, ACF’s Executive Director, noted that, “It has been a privilege to ensure that these monies are distributed to our local communities working in the areas of poverty reduction and social inclusion. We’re grateful that the Government of B.C made this funding available at a critical time for the non profit sector as it struggles to meet unprecedented demand.”

ACF will be hosting a cheque ceremony on September 24th to present recipients with their funds and allow each to share their impressive work with those in attendance. 

To learn more about the Community Prosperity Fund, check out the Vancouver Foundation’s website.