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Climate Change and Hope in the Cowichan Valley 50 The Spirit of Giving Cowichan NonProfits
Be Purposeful in Your Giving
I’m noticing a cultural shift; maybe you’re noticing it too? People are tired of buying simply for the sake of buying during the holidays. Reckoning the environmental impacts of stuff is the new ghost of Christmas past. So is inequality; why do some in our community have so much stuff and some so little? Yet we don’t want to abandon the joy and ritual of giving and nor should we. So how to be more purposeful and intentional in gift-giving?
The good ol’ homemade gift is a classic choice. Gifting someone an experience or a service is innovative. Locally produced options in the Valley are choice and abundant. And, there is another inspired option to consider; giving someone a meaningful recognition of their values by making a donation to a nonprofit or service organization in their name.
There are many non-profit and service organizations doing life-affirming work in the Cowichan Valley. They do a lot with very little and stretch donations with volunteer effort and grass-roots thrift. They build community capacity and repair community spirit.
How to select the right organization? Well, first consider the person you are gifting. What do they love most about this world? What do they care about? What makes their heart sing? Then think about our local non-profit and service organizations. Match-make the values of the person you are gifting with the mission of the organization. The real bow on the box is when you take the time to express why you chose the organization when you thought of them. Your gift will move their heart and your donation most certainly will have impacted a life. There is, after all, no greater gift than that.
Amanda Marchand regularly donates to nonprofit and service organizations and has been working in the non-profit sector for 26 years. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, COMMUNITY INCLUSION SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCACY GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
FREE COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR YOUTH
GLENORA FARM is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of adults with developmental disabilities through life-enriching day programs and empowering residential care. 250-715-1559 www.glenorafarm.org
SOMENOS MARSH WILDLIFE
SOCIETY Focussed on returning the S’amunu watershed back to a healthy state where water quality is improved and salmon spawning and escapement numbers are increased paul.fletcher@somenosmarsh.com www.somenosmarsh.com
WARMLAND WOMEN’S SUPPORT
SERVICES SOCIETY 24/7 crisis
hospital accompaniment for survivors of gender-based violence seeking forensic medical care; trauma counseling and women’s groups; medical/criminal justice system advocacy. 250-710-8177 www.warmlandwomen.org
SETTLEMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS & REFUGEES
COWICHAN INTERCULTURAL
SOCIETY Our services help immigrants & refugees build new lives in Canada. This includes English Instruction, employment, educational support & more! cowichanintercultural.org
SUPPORTING FAMILY CAREGIVERS
COWICHAN FAMILY CAREGIVERS
SUPPORT SOCIETY Providing free support services for families and individuals caring for loved ones in the Cowichan Valley. Community resources, education, one-to-one, groups. 250-597-0886 www.familycaregiverssupport.org 52
WE ARE A HOME FOR INDEPENDENT SENIORS
ABBEY FIELD HOUSE We provide affordable housing for seniors and we are fundraising for a stair lift to use during power outages when the elevator doesn’t work. 250 748 1352 abbeyfieldduncan.com
COWICHAN VALLEY YOUTH
SERVICES Community donations will help us to address youth mental health needs in the Cowichan Valley. Donation link on the website, or call 250-748-0232 www.cvyouth.ca
PROVIDING FOOD FOR PEOPLE IN NEED
CHEMAINUS HARVEST HOUSE
FOOD BANK We run weekly food banks, Monday-Crofton, FridayChemainus. We accept donations of non-perishable food items and cash to purchase food. 250-246-3455 www.chemainusharvesthouse.com
FARM ANIMAL RESCUE
A HOME FOR HOOVES FARM
SANCTUARY We provide a forever home for rescued, seized or surrendered farm animals due to various circumstances. Donations are used for animal care and infrastructure. 604 512-8362 www.homeforhooves.org GRIEF SUPPORT, PALLIATIVE CARE, END-OF-LIFE CARE
COWICHAN HOSPICE Your gifts help heal - families facing the death of a loved one 250-701-4242 info@cowichanhospice.org www.cowichanhospice.org
FOOD SECURITY IN THE COWICHAN VALLEY
COWICHAN GREEN COMMUNITY
reFRESH Coupon program is designed to support low income families, seniors and single people with a dignified shopping experience of $25 per week in the reFRESH Cowichan Marketplace. 250 748 8506 www.cgcf.ca VOLUNTEER MENTORS MATCHED WITH YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
is a mentoring organization that matches youth facing adversity with volunteer mentors – fostering consistent, supportive, and enriching relationships. 250-748-2447 www.bbbscowichan.ca
IMPROVING HEALTH CARE IN COWICHAN
The COWICHAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The CDHF helps raise funds to purchase equipment and support patient/resident care at Cowichan District Hospital and Cairnsmore Place. 250.701.0399 www.cdhfoundation.ca
CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
EASTER SEALS CAMP SHAWNIGAN
Camp Shawnigan provides specialized ‘sleep-away’ summer camps for children and adults with disabilities who may struggle to find programs for their individual needs. 250.370.0518 www.eastersealsbcy.ca
SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
CLEMENTS CENTRE FOR
FAMILIES Charitable donations to Clements Centre are used to help children, youth, and adults with developmental needs in Cowichan to truly thrive in community. 250-746-4135 www.clementscentre.org COMMUNITY INCLUSION, SUPPORT, NATURE-BASED THERAPY
PROVIDENCE FARM supports our community’s most vulnerable. Every donation goes towards programming; helping us further plant hope and harvest joy. 250-746-4204 www.providence.bc.ca
