INTRODUCTION
2014 PROJECTS
Make it happen! The Victoria Foundation has a long and valued history of helping, supporting and investing in our region. With our close connections and face-to-face dialogues with local charitable organizations, we are able to provide insightful, effective grant distributions to improve our community’s collective well-being as a place to live, work, grow and play. What inspires us is the opportunity for our donors and supporters to make a difference in virtually every aspect of community life. We are pleased to share the summaries of various grant applications received from local charitable organizations for projects to be delivered in 2014. These highlight the current needs of the organizations that carry out vital work in our community in five areas of interest: AREA OF INTEREST
PAGE
Arts, Culture & Heritage
2
Community Service
5
Education
9
Environment
14
Health & Recreation
17
On page 22, Make it happen! describes our six community Leadership funds. These include the Smart & Caring Community Fund, officially launched in 2012 by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. We encourage you to consider supporting one or more of the projects in this booklet and ask that you notify us by September 16, 2013 if you decide to do so. Contributions to the specific Make it happen! projects are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so please send your Grant Distribution Form to us as soon as possible. For further information or assistance, please call our donor services staff at 250.381.5532. This booklet is also available online at www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca where you can click through to the web sites of each organization to learn more about the impact of their services and programs.
VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 1
ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE JECTS ARBUTUS SINGERS MUSIC EDUCATION SOCIETY & VIVA YOUTH CHOIRS REQUESTING $20,000 Gaining Efficiencies Through New Partnerships www.choirkids.com The Arbutus Singers Music Education Society and the Viva Youth Choirs are partnering to find new ways to meet their mutual program objectives in this feasibility project. Each organization has unique history and characteristics but they will seek ways to merge their endeavours to provide choral singing opportunities for 300 children and youth. The project will provide a base for developing partnerships to help reduce costs, share governance and administration of programs, and diversify approaches to developing revenues. A joint concert involving both organizations will be piloted. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage BALLET VICTORIA SOCIETY REQUESTING $18,000 Tea for Tutu Expansion www.balletvictoria.com Ballet Victoria is seeking funding to build capacity for its Tea For Tutu program and further increase cultural exposure for up to 700 beneficiaries. The project will provide seniors and youth (who have mobility and financial issues) with access to four community performances. The events also include social time and mingling with artists and technicians. The funding would help support a volunteer coordinator/production assistant to plan the events, conduct outreach to agencies and seniors' residences, and forge partnerships to make the program sustainable. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & Heritage Belonging & Engagement BELFRY THEATRE SOCIETY REQUESTING $16,500 Home is a Beautiful Word www.belfry.bc.ca Playwright and journalist Joel Bernbaum will create a piece of verbatim theatre on the issue of homelessness in Victoria. Verbatim theatre refers to the process of constructing a play using dialogue drawn from interviews conducted with members of a community. This new work, Home is a Beautiful Word, has been in development for the past two years. It will be produced for a two-week run on the Belfry Mainstage in January 2014. This unique production will include voices not usually heard - in the theatre or elsewhere - and will bring many sides of the homelessness discussion to the stage. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage BLUE BRIDGE THEATRE SOCIETY REQUESTING $14,565 BBRT Box Office System www.bluebridgetheatre.ca Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre is moving its production and administrative operations to the Roxy Theatre in Quadra Village, where the theatre will begin to administer its own box office and database operations by collaborating with Intrepid Theatre and their Ticket Rocket system. By switching to Ticket Rocket, BBRT will reduce service charges by approximately 50%, resulting in lower ticket prices, greatly increased ticketing service and convenience for patrons. This collaboration will underwrite a coordinator to enable the use of an improved database system for operations and be supportive of Intrepid Theatre and other community groups using this venue. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage
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ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE
2014 PROJECTS
COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER VICTORIA REQUESTING $4,797 Visual Art Display Equipment www.cacgv.ca The Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria focuses on building community through arts and culture. This proposal will purchase 20 display easels to enhance their social enterprise of loaning equipment to arts, culture and community organizations. Loans are made for a modest rental fee to recover administrative costs and supplement income. Demand for this equipment has increased. Support will help expand the capacity for arts, culture and community organizations to deliver information and showcase artwork inexpensively without incurring capital costs or duplicating inventory. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage DANIEL LAPP'S HOUSE OF MUSIC SOCIETY REQUESTING $16,500 BC Fiddle Music Book www.houseofmusic.ca Support will enable the creation of a multi-media annotated compilation of 150 years of unique BC fiddle music and the fiddlers and musicians who have preserved this BC tradition. The resource will be available to schools, libraries, music teachers, students and their families. The book will provide music lovers and students with traditional, original, and regional fiddle music, local history, stories of the fiddlers and musicians who have written and played the music, their original sound and the lore that is the BC fiddler community. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & HeritageLearning PANDORA ARTS COLLECTIVE SOCIETY REQUESTING $11,750 Well-being – From Studio to Community www.pandoraarts.ca This project will produce twice weekly inter-generational facilitated studio art sessions (in two halfyear cycles) focused on supporting individuals from age 14 to senior who are struggling with mental health issues and any others who would find a regular, safe, understanding and creative community important to their well-being. This project will benefit 40 to 50 individuals over the year with 12 to 20 individuals per week participating in any single studio day. It will also offer two participant / community outreach experiences (exhibitions and workshops) that together will affect more than 450 community members. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & HeritageBelonging & Engagement PTARMIGAN MUSIC AND THEATRE SOCIETY REQUESTING $20,000 Bridging Generations and Communities Musically www.ptarmigansociety.org Ptarmigan will deliver an artists-in-the-school music program in three schools: Quadra, Wsanec First Nations, and Pender Island, with the goal of supplementing local music programs for under-privileged children. The artists will not deliver curriculum material, however, they will support teachers by providing instruction to the students in instrument playing and singing techniques. Ptarmigan also intends to help each school create a musical instrument bank and recruit community seniors to coach the children on instrument techniques. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & HeritageBelonging & EngagementHealth & Wellness Standard of Living VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 3
ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE JECTS ROYAL AND MCPHERSON THEATRES SOCIETY REQUESTING $16,500 Royal and McPherson Centennial Celebration www.rmts.bc.ca The RMTS is organizing a centennial celebration from May 18 to 26, 2014 to honour the Royal and McPherson Theatres and the impact they have had on Victoria’s cultural life. This will be a showcase for the Capital Region's abundant local and regional talent, and an opportunity for emerging artists to reach new audiences. A specially-designed interactive website will showcase the history of the theatres and present archival material in more tangible form throughout the year of celebrations. RMTS hopes to attract audiences of over 15,000 to the theatres and venues and enhance event exposure through web platforms and free tickets to families who cannot afford to attend. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage THEATRE SKAM ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $31,120 My Memory's Not So Good www.skam.ca Theatre SKAM will create and preview a new play that highlights the life of the late Joan Mans (19252010), a former Victoria resident who attended hundreds of Victoria arts events and volunteered for many Victoria organizations. Using video and audio that Joan co-created before she died, My Memory's Not So Good features recordings of Joan, three live professional actors, 24 young children, and 24 youth dancers, who all work to tell of Joan's world-wide travels, to share her witticisms and philosophies, and to (re)introduce live audiences to one of Victoria's most memorable personalities. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC REQUESTING $41,500 Children's Outreach/Music Library Expansion www.vcm.bc.ca This project will expand the current VCM Music Library into a community-wide music library/resource centre accessible to all. In collaboration with School District 61, the project will open doors to the District's extensive Choral Octavo collection. Both organizations' annotated collections of scores will be available for loan to community groups. As well, VCM will launch a new free children’s Musical Story Time on-site in the VCM Library and at more than 40 satellite locations throughout Greater Victoria. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage VICTORIA SYMPHONY SOCIETY REQUESTING $20,000 Piper Richardson's Bagpipes/Great War Commemoration www.victoriasymphony.ca In the mud and rain of a Great War battlefield, 20 year old Piper Richardson rallied his troops to battle. Victoria composer, Tobin Stokes, will write a dramatic work that contrasts the vastness of an orchestra with the solitary dedication of a solo bagpipe player and will tell the story of a piper whose music inspired the troops, moments before his death. This commission, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War, will be performed at the Bay Street Armoury as part of a community-wide collaboration led by the Victoria Symphony joining the military, arts and cultural institutions of Victoria. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Arts, Culture & Heritage 4 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2014 PROJECTS
BC FAMILIES IN TRANSITION SOCIETY REQUESTING $30,500 Dispute Resolution and Parenting Coordination www.bcfit.org This project will promote parents’ use of dispute resolution to resolve family conflict, in accordance with the processes outlined in the new Family Law Act. Through a combined mediation and parenting coordination model, integrated with existing services, this project will achieve the Act’s purpose in reducing parents’ use of the courts. BC Families in Transition will add family mediation services that complement those of the Family Justice Centre, individualized parenting coordination services, and communication workshops to low-income families. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Health & WellnessSafety COWICHAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $15,000 Stable Management Vocational Development Program www.ctra.ca This project will expand the Stable Management Vocational Development program which uses the environment, practices, and educational possibilities of stable management to create real-world employment opportunities for people with disabilities in our community. It uses the established therapeutic environment of horsemanship to develop employment skills based in the equestrian/agricultural industry which are transferable to many other employment possibilities. Essential work experience is gained through volunteer roles. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementEconomyGetting StartedLearningStandard of Living CRIDGE CENTRE FOR THE FAMILY REQUESTING $9,370 The Cridge Financial Literacy Program for Youth www.cridge.org The project will support a coordinator of this program that will give 10 teen girls and young women (aged 16 to 24) in Cridge programs the opportunity to become financially literate in knowledge and practice. Participants will complete a five-week financial literacy course specially adapted for youth. Project staff will implement their learning by developing spending plans and goal focused savings plans and provide coaching for 12 months. The skills to manage their money to support themselves and their children will result in more stable, secure lives. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Standard of Living DOWNTOWN BLANSHARD ADVISORY COMMITTEE REQUESTING $33,054 Volunteer Program Enhancement Project www.blanshardcc.com Using best practices in volunteer management after an internal audit, this project will enhance the Blanshard Community Association's capacity to attract and retain youth, adult and senior volunteers. These volunteers will assist in the Blanshard Community Centre's 40,000 annual visits including those focused on participants contending with barriers. The new coordinator will be able to screen 60 volunteers, match 50 volunteers and successfully place 40 volunteers in regular, recurring placements over a two-year period. 95% of the volunteers that are placed are expected to report an increased sense of accomplishment, community belonging or well-being. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement
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COMMUNITY SERVICE GREATER VICTORIA VOLUNTEER SOCIETY (VOLUNTEER VICTORIA) REQUESTING $26,220 Youth on Boards Project www.volunteervictoria.bc.ca This project will increase the number of youth volunteers (aged 19 to 35) who are recruited, trained, matched and effectively engaged in decision-making roles on non-profit boards so they can help shape the future of Greater Victoria. Experienced board members are retiring in greater numbers and, as more non-profits emerge, organizations face increasing challenges recruiting and retaining board members. Goals are to place 40 first-time board members, build training and support systems, and share best practices, tools, and resources with 25 organizations, especially arts groups which have requested this support. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement ISLAND DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CENTRE ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $22,958 Enhancing Community Capacity for Employment Opportunities www.idhhc.ca This project is designed to improve accessibility to local job markets for greater economic inclusion of vulnerable people with hearing loss. The focus of a new Job Developer position will be to research and contact 250 Island businesses to develop relationships, provide education and understanding of the abilities of the Centre's client base that then lead to appropriate employment opportunities. Over the next two years, the goal is to help secure employment for 20 to 40 individuals – those who currently have multiple barriers to employment. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementEconomyHousing LearningStandard of Living OUR PLACE SOCIETY REQUESTING $40,000 Community Engagement Program Coordinator www.ourplacesociety.com Our Place provides a sense of hope and belonging to Greater Victoria's most vulnerable citizens. Funding for this pilot project will enable a coordinator to assess needs and identify community resources for program enhancement and foster new partnerships with organizations, volunteers and professionals. Outcomes will include increased referrals to agencies offering employment, education, health and wellness, skills development and art and culture resources. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness PEERS VICTORIA RESOURCES SOCIETY REQUESTING $16,720 PEERS Steps Out: Community Engagement www.peers.bc.ca Reaching up to 75 individuals, PEERS Victoria Resources Society will offer a weekly peer-led drop-in group focusing on a range of health and well-being topics and social engagement activities for sex workers. The project will leverage complementary in-kind community resources including volunteer supports and collaborative relationships with other service providers. Peer-led drop-in groups are recognized as a primary intervention for sex workers as a stigmatized group. This pilot project will be evaluated by clients, community partners, and academic supervisors to form the basis of a more extensive daytime drop-in program. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementHealth & WellnessSports & Recreation Standard of Living
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
2014 PROJECTS
SAANICH VOLUNTEER SERVICES SOCIETY REQUESTING $8,680 High Impact One-on-One Community Volunteer Recruitment www.saanichvolunteers.org The Direct Volunteer Services Committee is a collaboration of six local senior serving agencies to mobilize volunteers in this High Impact One-on-One Community Volunteer Recruitment project that will provide seniors with increased access to supported transportation. The collaboration is among Beacon Community Services, James Bay Community Project, Saanich Volunteer Services, Oak Bay Volunteer Services, Capital City Volunteer Services and Esquimalt Volunteer Services and will involve the Juan de Fuca Seniors Centre as well. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Transportation SCOUTS CANADA - CASCADIA COUNCIL REQUESTING $15,000 Camp Barnard Dock Upgrades www.victoriascouts.ca This project will extend the swimming and canoe launching dock at Young’s Lake - home of Camp Barnard. Modifications will add a second enclosed swim area and two fixed walkways linking the shore and docks. The renovations will permit safe access to docks and allow use of the swim area by more than one youth group at the same time. The upgrades will allow mobility-challenged campers and their aides to access water activities suited to their abilities. The dock will also be widened on one finger to allow a canoe or kayak program to run alongside swimming or other waterfront programs. The renovated dock area is needed for an upcoming Jamboree of 2400 Scouts and leaders from across Canada. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & WellnessLearningSafetySports & Recreation SENIORS SERVING SENIORS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REQUESTING $10,872 Seniors Information Outreach www.seniorsservingseniors.bc.ca The Seniors Information Outreach team needs support in providing training workshops for targeted community networks and their key individuals who link with seniors. The goal is to provide networks with a greater capacity to inform and connect seniors to appropriate services. A minimum of ten networks will receive a presentation on Services for seniors in the Capital Region and how to access them. Telephone Line volunteers who have in-depth knowledge and expertise on seniors' services will provide referrals and ongoing support to the trainees. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementHealth & Wellness SHARED SPACE SALT SPRING SOCIETY REQUESTING $10,685 Community Shared Space Project www.sharedspacessi.org Shared Space will provide affordable, accessible shared space to non-profit organizations on Salt Spring Island to optimize resources, encourage cooperation through partnerships and create community capacity through connections. There are 12 organizations involved in this project. The business plan is completed. Major fundraising was launched to purchase the target property, and for construction and renovation for the planned opening in 2015. This project will enable the Society to take the next steps to build this essential community hub. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement
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COMMUNITY SERVICE VICTORIA EPILEPSY AND PARKINSON'S CENTRE SOCIETY REQUESTING $17,329 Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry www.vepc.bc.ca Now operating under the name Headway, the Centre proposes to develop and implement a Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry program for children who live with labels and differences, such as having epilepsy or diabetes or being labelled with letters like FASD. Partnerships with other organizations in Victoria that have similar mandates to assist in the healthy development of children will be established to deliver and provide resources for the program. A team of volunteer puppeteers will be trained to deliver specially-written skits to children involved in community groups. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedHealth & Wellness VICTORIA SINGLE PARENT RESOURCE CENTRE SOCIETY (1UP) REQUESTING $17,500 The Lighthouse Parent www.singleparentvictoria.ca For over 34 years, the Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre Society has been providing single parents, caregivers and children opportunities for learning and growth through their resources and services. The Lighthouse Parent series of courses integrates information from research in attachment and brain development with personal exploration and skills application to provide parents with resources to understand their child’s unique needs at each developmental stage. Attendance will build the responsive trusting parent-child attachment relationships that are now known to be associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes in the present and in later life as well. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Getting StartedHealth & Wellness
CRIDGE CENTRE FOR THE FAMILY 10 teen girls and young women will develop money management skills to support themselves and their children giving them more stable, secure lives.(Page 5) REQUESTING $9,370
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EDUCATION
2014 PROJECTS
ARTEMIS PLACE SOCIETY REQUESTING $20,000 Artemis Childcare for Young Mothers www.artemisplace.org Artemis Childcare Centre has been successfully providing care to hundreds of infants and toddlers of teenage mothers since 1989. The Centre provides a holistic, compassionate and nurturing community where girls can enjoy success, develop resiliency, and get help with social and emotional issues while continuing with their schooling. The childcare centre gives a nurturing start to the children of teen moms, models care-giving skills and supports each mom in her parenting. Research shows that quality early childcare is inextricably linked to resilience in the children of teen mothers, and foundational to future cognitive and emotional health. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Getting Started BEACON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $30,000 "1000 X 5" Children's Book Recycling Projects www.beaconcs.ca Regional leadership of the "1000 X 5" Children's Book Recycling projects will enable project leaders to coordinate book collection and distribution for the benefit of approximately 1,600 young children under five years old and their families. Coordinators will plan outreach efforts, seek more partners, and network with donors and distributors to families living on the Saanich Peninsula, in Greater Victoria, and on the Westshore, who receive free books each month. The goal is that every preschooler will have been read 1,000 books by age five to improve literacy skills and school readiness. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedLearning BIPOLAR DISORDER SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REQUESTING $11,250 Strategic Review and Development of Stigma Stomp Classroom Project www.bipolarbabe.com The Bipolar Disorder Society of BC has evolved very rapidly over its first four years and requests support to develop a strategic plan that can be used as a template for future activity and decision making. Funding will also enable the Society to: conduct a professional assessment of their program delivery by a team of mental health educators; edit and re-purpose training videos for a broader audience; provide a preview for potential educational and community participants; and train and qualify at least two new facilitators for the Stigma Stomp school awareness programs. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness CAMOSUN COLLEGE REQUESTING $11,800 Creating Bridges to Community www.camosun.ca/learn/programs/elc/index.html There is one-third the number of childcare seats available for the number of children under five years of age in the Capital Regional District. Many childcare workers leave the profession early in their careers. Camosun Early Learning and Care faculty will facilitate workshops with former students who were hired in 15 local community early childhood centres. Through these workshops, the graduates will update their knowledge and skills, and recognize the value of their work, contributing to the improvement of their programs and staff retention. This will lead to increased capacity of the early childhood education system to enable more childcare spaces to be maintained in our region. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Getting StartedHealth & Wellness
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EDUCATION
COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF GREATER VICTORIA REQUESTING $32,986 Youth Program Quality Initiative (YPQI) www.communitycouncil.ca High quality programs have been shown to have direct, positive benefits at all levels of an organization and produce more engaged, resilient youth. The YPQI is a continuous quality improvement initiative that supports youth-serving agencies in Greater Victoria to assess, plan and improve the level of staffing and program quality. In order to build local capacity and develop regional sustainability, there is a need to train local facilitators and coaches to work with youth serving organizations over the next 5+ years. The impact of this work will be amplified year over year. In 2014, 24 organizations + 100 staff trained in YPQI = 1,200 youth engaged. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD BC/YUKON DIVISION REQUESTING $10,000 Victoria Youth Accessibility Initiative www.dukeofed.org/bc The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in BC has over 5,000 youth enrolled in its Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards as independents or as a part of a group led by community volunteers. The Award is celebrating its 50th year in 2013. Youth that achieve this Award receive High School credits, challenge themselves in community service, adventurous journeys, and in skills and physical recreation. There are youth in our community who face barriers to taking the Award, especially in the adventurous journey aspect. This initiative will give bursaries to groups hosting up to 100 local youth the opportunity to challenge themselves, contribute and be recognized for their achievements. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement HULITAN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY REQUESTING $25,000 Service Improvement: Journeys of the Heart www.hulitan.ca The funding will allow the Journeys of the Heart preschool cultural literacy program to enhance its service delivery mode to Aboriginal families by adding a home support coordinator who will provide support outside of the classroom. Goals are to decrease the high rates of Ministry involvement with First Nations children and increase access to early assessment for children with special needs within Greater Victoria. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & HeritageBelonging & EngagementGetting StartedHealth & WellnessLearningSafety LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BC REQUESTING $20,000 SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND CHAPTER Reading, Writing & Academic Skills Program www.ldasvi.bc.ca This project would foster the capacity of children with learning and behavioural challenges. While each child requires individualized programming, this comprehensive program includes educating each child about their unique learning strengths in a safe, developmentally-appropriate environment in the Westshore or in central Victoria. Children receive one-on-one support or attend small groups to develop an understanding of how they learn and what strategies work. Instruction based on best practices and current research guide staff to ensure children achieve their learning goals. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementLearning
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EDUCATION
2014 PROJECTS
PACIFIC CENTRE FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $25,000 Skookum Cafe Youth Program www.pacificcentrefamilyservices.org The Skookum Cafe will house a program supporting vulnerable youth in our community. It offers youth the opportunity to raise their self-esteem and confidence, learn skills, acquire knowledge, build relationships and gain experience in an empowering and supportive setting by running a healthy cafe in the West Shore Family Centre. Three cohorts will be offered training and experience in a range of skills in areas such as food safe, retail business management, barista and interpersonal skills as well as personal support and assistance with navigating other social service systems as required. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness PROJECT LITERACY VICTORIA REQUESTING $25,000 Community Literacy Outreach Program www.literacyvictoria.ca This project will provide free literacy, computer, employability and other essential skills training to over 275 of the most marginalized citizens in the Greater Victoria Region. These individuals are poor, homeless, and/or facing multiple challenges in their lives. Literacy outreach is delivered where participants already go: within community partner social agencies, shelters, the Wilkinson Road prison, and on the streets. It offers participants the chance to strengthen certain literacy skill sets which, in turn, can positively impact their employment situation, housing/shelter, and health, as well as reduce social isolation. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementLearning SHORELINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION REQUESTING $9,883 GEM Girls Empowerment Missionwww.shorelinecommunityschool.ca The GEM program empowers at-risk females from 10 to 14 years old by strengthening their positive self-concepts through participation in experiential activities after school. An estimated total of 185 girls will have opportunities to learn about themselves and their potential through participation in a variety of physical activities, introspective and skill development tasks in relation to healthy living -physically, mentally and socially. They will participate in service projects around their community giving them the opportunity to support food sustainability and build community connectedness while developing environmental stewardship and empathy. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement STEPS FORWARD - INCLUSIVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SOCIETY REQUESTING $7,300 Inclusive Post-secondary Alumni Advocacy Project www.steps-forward.org Staff will develop individual career navigation tools for adults with special needs who have attended modified programs at UVic to equip those alumni and their families with the resources they need for socially valued employment. The navigation tools will enable alumni and families to use a guidebook with caregivers and continue the employment advocacy and community building that has been done over the years during their time in undergraduate studies. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement
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EDUCATION
SWOVA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH SOCIETY REQUESTING $14,000 Peace Kids www.swova.org This promising new anti-bullying initiative will engage students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 in the Southern Gulf Islands in skill-building social and emotional learning. This project will assist them in developing a tangible exploration of peace in the family, at school, within themselves, and in future relationships. From 13 years of research, SWOVA knows that younger children are positively affected when they receive preventive peace-building education and skill support, with stronger, longer lasting and more formative effects on their well-being, health and peaceful relating to others. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA REQUESTING $37,900 CENTRE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH AND POLICY Evidence-based Expansion of Quality Childcare www.uvic.ca/cecrp This project will provide evidence-based support for the expansion of quality childcare services in the Capital Region. In collaboration with PLAY and Success By 6 and an advisory group of communitybased organizations, researchers will identify the needs, barriers and opportunities to increased quality childcare. The project will help guide the growth of childcare spaces to meet specific demands. It is well established that quality childcare options provide lifelong benefits to young children, as well as benefits to families, community, employers, governments and the economy. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness VICTORIA BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY REQUESTING $13,119 Coping Strategies www.vbis.ca This program empowers brain injury survivors to develop healthy coping strategies as they deal with challenging aspects of their injury including memory loss, sensory overload, depression, social anxiety and isolation. This project will create a supportive environment where brain injury survivors learn to navigate and utilize local services, function safely in stressful and demanding environments and create networks of support that will allow them to become more self-reliant and to function as active members of their community. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness VICTORIA IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE CENTRE SOCIETY REQUESTING $20,000 Play it Fair! Victoria www.vircs.bc.ca Play it Fair! teaches community organizations to promote children’s healthy development and participation in recreation programming through value-based physically active games. Thirty-five staff will be trained to use Play it Fair! activities to address exclusion and bullying and to equip up to 500 children with peaceful conflict resolution and cooperative problem solving. Up to 20 new and existing partners will use this approach to build physical, social, cognitive and emotional competencies to reinforce self-esteem and to encourage all children to participate in physical recreation activities by creating an inclusive and accepting atmosphere. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedSports & Recreation
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EDUCATION
2014 PROJECTS
VICTORIA NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE REQUESTING $18,600 Duḵwała'mas - "are you watching?" in Kwakwala www.vnfc.ca Duḵwała'mas in Kwakwala, the language of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation of Vancouver Island translates into "are you watching." Duḵwała'mas provides the platform for a culturally-based program to improve health and wellness in our urban Aboriginal Community. The legacy of colonial impact on Aboriginal Peoples in Canada continues to be evidenced through a disproportionate percentage of diabetes and related illnesses. This project will provide education, nutritional counselling, and traditional food sourcing in local areas and from a new greenhouse. Cooking and literacy skills will be enhanced through an inter-generational Indigenous Circle utilizing the wisdom and knowledge of Aboriginal Elders. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Standard of Living VICTORIA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SOCIETY REQUESTING $15,825 Volunteer Capacity Building www.vrjs.org This project will significantly increase the abilities of the Society's 40+ volunteer caseworkers so they can better assist more than 250 clients (offenders and victims of crime). With additional skills, knowledge and resources, the volunteers will be able to accept the more complex files that the Society is currently having to turn away, better assess the needs of clients, divert cases from the court system, support clients as they navigate services, and more effectively resolve the confusion and harm that result from crime. This project will entail advanced training in facilitation and mentoring and will be available to volunteers from this and other Restorative Justice agencies. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement
ARTEMIS PLACE SOCIETY Artemis Childcare Centre has been successfully providing care to hundreds of infants and toddlers of teenage mothers since 1989. (Page 9) REQUESTING $20,000
VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 13
ENVIRONMENT GARRY OAK ECOSYSTEMS RECOVERY TEAM SOCIETY REQUESTING $26,900 Back to Our Roots www.goert.ca This project will engage residents of the Capital Regional District in the recovery of endangered Garry Oak ecosystem species by promoting and facilitating the use of native plants in residential gardening and by piloting a certification process to recognize landowners who take those steps. The increasing popularity of gardening and awareness of the uniqueness of Garry Oak ecosystems and their centrality to the Greater Victoria region's identity will engage the public in conservation of these nearly 100 species at risk of extinction. This project will address local barriers to native plant gardening and will facilitate the launch of the Back to Our Roots certification program, popular in Portland, to motivate involvement and achieve targets. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment GEORGIA STRAIT ALLIANCE REQUESTING $16,000 Creating the Clean Marine Capital of BC www.GeorgiaStrait.org Through the Clean Marine BC voluntary eco-accreditation program, Georgia Strait Alliance (GSA) collaborates to minimize impacts to the shoreline and marine environment from recreational boating - discharge of sewage and grey water, fuel spills, use of toxic paints/products, and disruptions to wildlife. With only seven of 50 Capital Regional District marinas currently participating, GSA will concentrate efforts here, increasing access to healthy shores and public awareness of this vital issue, with the long-term goal of Victoria as Clean Marine Capital of BC. Partnering with PlasticShore, GSA and marinas will also help to transform marine and tsunami debris into recycled products. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment HOME IS WHERE WE LIVE - LIFECYCLES PROJECT SOCIETY REQUESTING $55,000 Growing Community Food Security Networks www.lifecyclesproject.ca What good is spinach if I don't know how to use it? This multi-partner project led by LifeCycles will link food gleaning programs and agencies who distribute gathered food to vulnerable populations and integrate 39,000 lbs. of rescued fruit, 10 distribution agencies, 350 volunteers and leaders, and reach over 1,000 clients who will have better access to fresh foods. Clients will learn how to utilize local produce through food skills workshops. The Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiative Roundtable will host six roundtables to expand community food networks in the core capability areas identified by the Food Security Road Map produced this spring. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Standard of Living HORTICULTURE CENTRE OF THE PACIFIC REQUESTING $23,400 Siem Lelum Community Garden Project www.hcp.ca This project is an integral and therapeutic component of the Siem Lelum affordable housing complex for dozens of families drawn from the Aboriginal community. The Centre will help residents construct, prepare, plant and nurture a garden filled with numerous food products, including traditional First Nations plants, while teaching them the skills needed to independently maintain and manage the garden. Residents will benefit by engaging in their community, creating a sense of belonging, and embarking on a journey towards healing and sustainability. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment 14 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
ENVIRONMENT
2014 PROJECTS
JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF VICTORIA REQUESTING $12,835 Feeding Ourselves and Others Garden www.johnhoward.victoria.bc.ca In 2012 The John Howard Society initiated a therapeutic community garden for people with mental illness or addiction issues -- heavy users of public services, many having committed offences. Supported by VIHA’s community outreach teams,the Victoria Integrated Court sub-committee, and donors and volunteers, a very successful community garden was started at Seven Oaks in the Blenkinsop Valley. In this project, more than 30 participants and community volunteers aim to establish a larger therapeutic and income-generating garden in 2014 and beyond. Through phase two and by documenting its program, it will be an integrated approach that will be a model that other atrisk groups can learn from and emulate. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Belonging & Engagement LTA THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REQUESTING $12,500 Land Trust Marketing in CRD www.ltabc.ca This project will be a means to promote and communicate a positive public perception of land trusts, increased voluntarism, increased philanthropy through financial donations, covenants and land donations and a collective understanding of the breadth and impact of land trusts in the region. The communications program will engage and encourage participation by the public in the long-term conservation of land in the Capital Regional District and be a template for other organizations. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment PENINSULA STREAMS SOCIETY REQUESTING $10,000 Volunteer Mobilization and Support Project www.peninsulastreams.ca Annually, the Peninsula Streams Society works with over 100 adult volunteers who contribute upwards of 2,000 hours on numerous stream and habitat restoration projects and environmental education programs on the Saanich Peninsula whose residents and the environment benefit from these immensely valuable contributions of time, skill and knowledge. Funding will enable the Society to improve its volunteer engagement program, which will result in more satisfied and engaged volunteers with greater volunteer retention, more opportunities for volunteers within the Society, more efficient use of staff time in organizing and evaluating volunteer contributions, and improved project and program support for environmental restoration work. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment SEACHANGE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY REQUESTING $25,000 Returning the Blue Grouse to Tod Inlet www.seachangesociety.com Funding of this project will help restore terrestrial, near-shore and marine habitats within Tod Inlet, an area of great significance to local Saanich First Nations. The site has been damaged by historical limestone mining and will not fully recover from these impacts unless there is long-term engagement by local communities. Part of this recovery work will entail removing invasive plants, restoring fish habitats and eelgrass, and adding suitable beach material to near-shore areas. Community events and a restoration forum will disseminate lessons learned from this pilot project. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Arts, Culture & HeritageBelonging & EngagementEnvironmentLearning Sports & Recreation VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 15
ENVIRONMENT SIDNEY AND NORTH SAANICH MEMORIAL PARK SOCIETY REQUESTING $6,220 Mary Winspear Centre Electric Car Charging Stations www.marywinspear.ca Funding of this project will allow for the installation of four electric car charging stations at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney for approximately 2,920 uses over a two-year evaluation period. Installation of these chargers at the Mary Winspear Centre will expand the region's capacity to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reflecting a commitment by the Centre and its supporters to the natural environment. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Environment
GEORGIA STRAIT ALLIANCE GSA minimizes impacts to the shoreline and marine environment from recreational boating discharge of sewage and grey water, fuel spills, use of toxic paints/products, and disruptions to wildlife. (Page 14) REQUESTING $16,000
HORTICULTURE CENTRE OF THE PACIFIC The Centre will mentor residents of the Siem Lelum housing complex to transform a parking lot into an urban garden. (Page 14) REQUESTING $23,400
16 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
HEALTH & RECREATION
2014 PROJECTS
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF B.C. REQUESTING $10,000 Dementia Education Initiative for the Greater Victoria Area www.alzheimerbc.org Project staff will deliver 50 dementia education sessions to over 650 participants in the Greater Victoria area throughout the year. Participants will include people diagnosed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, family caregivers, friends of people with dementia and other adults interested in maintaining a healthy brain. Dementia education helps families to maintain their quality of life, build an understanding of what lies ahead, develop skills and confidence to navigate and cope with the challenges of the difficult journey, and connect with community resources and others in similar situations. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES REQUESTING $5,300 Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan www.lionsbc.ca This support would assist youth to attend a one week sleep-over summer camp session, for children six to 18 years who have a cognitive and/or physical disability. All activities are designed to build confidence, independence and peer-to-peer interaction in a recreational environment. Campers will participate in activities including: scaling a climbing wall, water sports, canoeing, wheelchair sports and leadership training. The six weeks of Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan provide unique opportunities for up to 300 children with disabilities to share ideas and learn team-building skills, and for alumni to return as community leaders. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementHealth & WellnessLearningSports & Recreation BROADMEAD CARE SOCIETY REQUESTING $12,000 Live It Up: Making Nigel and Harriet House More Like Home www.broadmeadcare.com This project would enable adults with disabilities who use manual wheelchairs to get out into their immediate neighbourhood and into the community. Many residents in manual wheelchairs must use wheelchair-equipped buses to travel even just a few blocks. Funds will be used to expand the outreach and inclusive programming to add more staff and volunteers, subsidize field trip fees and offer time on an attendant-controlled power wheelchair so residents can go for walks in their neighbourhood and attend otherwise inaccessible community events. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Housing CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, VICTORIA BRANCH REQUESTING $33,419 Youth Mental Health Skills Program www.victoria.cmha.bc.ca The local team at Canadian Mental Health Association Victoria will provide skills to manage and support distress, anxiety or anger and reduce bullying through education and facilitator training in three programs: Living Life to the Full for young persons; a coping skills program for their parents; and Mental Health First Aid for adults who work with youth. These evidence-based programs, based on cognitive behavioral therapy and a proven offering in Scotland, will target 40 youth, 20 parents and 40 youth service providers in a series of workshops, with follow-up support referrals. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: EconomyHealth & WellnessSafety
VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 17
HEALTH & RECREATION CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND REQUESTING $5,800 First Steps for Seniors www.cnib.ca The white cane is used by many blind or partially-sighted people. It is primarily a mobility tool and an identifier of sight issues to others. As part of their orientation and mobility vision rehabilitation services, the local CNIB offers a new client their first white cane and training at no cost. It is often their first step towards independence and mobility. Support would provide 100 white canes to seniors across Victoria in 2014. When clients receive their white cane and training through certified CNIB instructors, they are more likely to function more independently. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementHealth & Wellness CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTING $30,000 SOCIETY OF GREATER VICTORIA, DBA NEED2 Filling Gaps - Building Service Capacity to Support Area Youth www.need2.ca There is an acute need to develop supportive options for children and youth struggling with mental health issues, including broad prevention initiatives to foster good mental health, and safe, immediate, accessible, youth-friendly services to help young people in crisis. NEED2's services - in school suicide prevention education and on-line support - save young lives. Increasing protective factors and mitigating risk of suicide or self-injury, these services depend on well trained and supported volunteers. This project will assist NEED2 in maintaining its service reach of more than 3,000 young people annually and extending it to an additional 500. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedHealth & WellnessLearning Safety FRIENDS OF LIVING & LEARNING THROUGH LOSS SOCIETY REQUESTING $8,435 Video Companion www.learningthroughloss.org This organization's experienced team will create two resource guides to accompany their current DVD used for educators, program leaders, and parents to facilitate youth understanding, engagement and integration of key learning points. The guide will complement the information and life-skills presented within the educational video. It will contain psycho-educational information about grief and loss, conversation starters, and “teachable moments” activities and exercises that can be used to provide youth with meaningful discussions and engagement with the topic of grief, loss, and coping skills. It will also provide resources that are suitable for youth aged 10 to 18. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementHealth & WellnessLearning GREATER VICTORIA COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS SOCIETY REQUESTING $11,340 Extending the Reach of the Greater Victoria Street Survival Guide www.victoriahomelessness.ca This project will ensure that more vulnerable people who are homeless or living in extreme poverty have access to a copy of the waterproofed, durable Greater Victoria Street Survival Guide. It will be updated, revised and reprinted twice in 2014, ensuring that this field-tested resource will remain upto-date and relevant to the lives of those experiencing homelessness. The guide will touch the lives of thousands of individuals accessing services at over 80 resources in downtown Victoria, Sidney, Langford, Saanich and elsewhere. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: HousingStandard of Living 18 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
HEALTH & RECREATION
2014 PROJECTS
JAMES BAY HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY REQUESTING $23,174 Foot Care for Seniors www.jbcp.bc.ca The James Bay Community Project will partner with Capital City Volunteers to provide simple and complex foot care to approximately 200 low-income seniors in the City of Victoria over a two-year period. Making this service easily available will help increase the health and well-being of low-income seniors. It will also help to prevent and reduce the negative impacts of the development of serious health challenges (e.g. foot ulcers due to diabetes) and assist seniors to retain their mobility, quality of life, and ability to participate in community activities. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness KIDSPORT GREATER VICTORIA REQUESTING $17,150 KidSport - PISE After School Fun www.kidsportvictoria.ca KidSport has partnered with the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence to augment existing afterschool programming at two sites in Esquimalt and central Victoria. By coaching youth leaders twice a week on ways to increase physical literacy programming, this project will benefit 80 children. Research shows some immigrant and Aboriginal children have lower rates of physical activity and sports team involvement. Utilizing a "train the trainer" model, KidSport and its partners would teach and mentor staff about the basics of running, jumping, throwing, catching and other gross motor skills. By becoming more active after school, kids involved in these two project sites will decrease their screen time as part of the evaluation goals. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Sports & Recreation MUSTARD SEED STREET CHURCH REQUESTING $70,796 Centralized Food Hub and Greenhouse www.mustardseed.ca This collaborative project will result in a feasibility study to explore the creation of a centralized food hub, food donation centre, distribution network, and a referral system for the community seeking food resources. Goals are to increase the efficiency of multiple soup kitchens and food banks to streamline services for those in need, those donating and those providing emergency food services. Over 25 agencies are currently providing services for approximately 19,000 persons a year. Economies of scale will be achieved. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Standard of Living S.A.L.T.S. SAIL AND LIFE TRAINING SOCIETY REQUESTING $23,400 Life Saving Immersion Suits www.salts.ca Every year 1,700 young people go to sea aboard S.A.L.T.S.'s two tall ships. Though they have operated safely since 1974, if their crew members and trainees were ever exposed to frigid ocean water, hypothermia and death could quickly follow. Investigation of the sinking of the tall ship Concordia (a ship formerly based in Nova Scotia unaffiliated with S.A.L.T.S.) concluded with the decision to purchase full body immersion suits for those aboard their vessels. To free up space for these suits, they also need to replace bulky lifejackets with smaller inflatable lifejackets. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedSafety
VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 19
HEALTH & RECREATION SOOKE FAMILY RESOURCE SOCIETY REQUESTING $20,500 Prenatal Education and Outreach www.sfrs.ca This project will provide pregnancy education, prenatal and post-natal support, and outreach to the greater Sooke community through locally accessible group and individual services offered at low to no cost. The prenatal courses and outreach services will enhance social connections for parents and increase their awareness of community resources. Parent support workers across the region will be offered seats in a train the trainer workshop on LAPS (Literacy and Parenting Skills) that has proven success across Canada. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Getting StartedHealth & Wellness THRESHOLD HOUSING SOCIETY REQUESTING $56,680 Youth Housing - The Vital Difference www.thresholdhousing.ca The fastest growing segment of the homeless population nationally is between the ages of 16 to 24. Research shows that the Victoria region has a high population of youth at risk of becoming homeless, given the high rates of rents and cost of living coupled with the lack of employment opportunities. This project is a long-term transitional program that will add 10 more safe and affordable housing units to the stressed region to guide at-risk youth toward productive adulthood. The project finds safe units for youth while helping them to navigate access to mental health counselling, rental training and other programs. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Housing VICTORIA MARINE RESCUE SOCIETY REQUESTING $7,260 Kids Don't Float Program www.rcmsar.com The Kids Don’t Float program aims to reduce preventable marine fatalities and to encourage marine safety by providing public outreach talks by uniformed rescue officers to youth community groups and free use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) for children and teens. The PFDs and lifejackets will be located at four public swimming areas where they hang on hooks on large boards with colourful graphics that draw attention to safety issues and dire consequences if not used. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Safety VICTORIA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SOCIETY REQUESTING $15,075 Youth Mental Health Training Initiative www.vyes.ca This collaborative initiative will provide three distinct training opportunities for 50 workers from youth-serving agencies in the Capital Regional District. These training opportunities include: Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and Self-Harming Behaviours. The project will significantly increase the capacity of the community to respond to approximately 500 youth with mental health concerns. Youth and families will receive more timely access to assessment and appropriate referrals based on a better understanding of client needs and available services. Vital Signs ® Issue Area: Health & Wellness
20 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
HEALTH & RECREATION
2014 PROJECTS
YOUNG PARENTS SUPPORT NETWORK REQUESTING $18,725 Family Respite and Outreach Program www.ypsn.ca Outreach will support up to 300 young families living with complex risk, including poverty, family violence, substance use and trauma. YPSN will offer drop-in respite and childcare for vulnerable families. It will pilot off-site delivery of support services for young parents at risk and link them to agencies within their neighbourhoods. Vital Signs ® Issue Areas: Belonging & EngagementGetting StartedHealth & WellnessLearning SafetyStandard of Living
KIDSPORT GREATER VICTORIA KidSport has partnered with the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence to augment existing afterschool programming for 80 children at two sites in Esquimalt and central Victoria. (Page 19) REQUESTING $17,150
VICTORIA MARINE RESCUE SOCIETY The Kids Don’t Float program aims to reduce preventable marine fatalities and to encourage marine safety for children and teens. (Page 20) REQUESTING $7,260
VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN! 21
LEADERSHIP FUNDS SMART & CARING COMMUNITY FUND His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada called on the Community Foundations of Canada to join him in bringing to life a vision for a smarter and more caring nation. The Victoria Foundation was the first to rise to his challenge. Our Smart & Caring Community Fund supports programs that are proactive, measurable and responsive to findings from our local and national Vital Signs ® reports. The first initiative focuses on the finding that Canada’s children are less active and at greater risk from childhood obesity than ever before. In partnership with the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, the ABCs of Physical Literacy program provides young children with the skills that establish the groundwork for confident involvement in sports and recreation opportunities. Now in its second year, the program is offered at both the Cridge Centre for the Family and Craigflower Elementary School. VITAL VICTORIA FUND The Vital Victoria Fund supports community applications of all types and in all fields of interest. Grant decisions, made annually by our Board on the recommendation of our Community Engagement Committee, support the needs and opportunities identified through our Victoria’s Vital Signs ® report – our community check-up that evaluates the Capital Region as a place to live, learn, work and grow. Up to 50 per cent of the balance of this fund is allocated to board-mandated priorities arising from low scores identified in Vital Signs ® . The current priorities are for projects that increase the number of childcare spaces and address affordable housing and homelessness. VITAL YOUTH Our Vital Youth program provides students at eight high schools in southern Vancouver Island with hands-on experience in philanthropy and community development. The Victoria Foundation allocates each school group an annual grant of $2,500 to distribute to local federally registered charities of their choice and adds $500 to each school’s endowment fund to model the importance of legacy gifts. ENVIRONMENT FUND The current focus for the Environment Fund is initiatives that address climate change in our region. Applications from community organizations on southern Vancouver Island are accepted each year for review by the Community Engagement Committee of the Board. EVERY STEP COUNTS Born from an idea and a pro-active vital grant made by the Victoria Foundation, Every Step Counts now builds on support from a variety of sources to maintain this downtown walking and running program for people experiencing challenges with housing, mental health, addiction, isolation and other related issues. This program, now in its fifth year, has impacted more than 200 people. VICTORIA FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATION FUND The Administration Fund is used to fund leadership initiatives of the Victoria Foundation such as research for the Victoria’s Vital Signs ® report, the Community Knowledge Centre, our online knowledge hub, and other community projects that allow us to support and showcase charitable organizations in our community. 22 VICTORIA FOUNDATION – MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Make it happen! COMMUNITY NEEDS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR VITAL GRANTS You can support local registered charities by filling out this form and returning it to the Victoria Foundation. YOUR INFORMATION Your name (first and last) __
______________________________________________________________________
Email _____________________________________________ _______ Telephone __ _____________________________________________________________ _ I would like the grants to be made:
In the fund name
Anonymously
In my (our) personal name(s) __
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__ ______________
CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO SUPPORT
I (we) would like to support the following projects described in the Make it happen! booklet: Organization Name
Gift Amount
1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5. __
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I (we) would like to support the following Victoria Foundation fund(s): Fund Name
Gift Amount
Smart & Caring Community Fund
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Vital Victoria Fund
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Vital Youth
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Environment Fund
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Every Step Counts
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Victoria Foundation Administration Fund
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CHOOSE YOUR METHOD OF PAYMENT
I would like to pay by: Using my Victoria Foundation fund (specify name) _____________________________________________________ Cheque (payable to the Victoria Foundation) Visa MasterCard
Card number
Expiry ________________
Name on the card _________________________________________________________________________________ Signature _ _________________________________________ ___________ Date ___________________________ Please return this form by mail, fax or email to: #109- 645 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1G2 I Fax: 250.480.1129 I donorservices@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 2013 We’ve selected a sample from each of our five fields of interest to showcase how donor choices have made a huge difference to applicants for community grants.
ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGEBELFRY THEATRE $16,500 GRANTED The Belfry Theatre collaborated with the Pacific Opera Victoria to produce a theatrical opera called Let’s Make An Opera/Little Sweep. This unique approach to producing a stage production provided 346 young people, from the ages of 10 and up, a unique opportunity to learn more about theatre, music and opera, in a way that was engaging and different from their regular school curriculum. The project also exposed 996 theatregoers to the opera genre and, in turn, brought opera fans to the theatre, resulting in an increased and more diversified audience base overall. COMMUNITY SERVICEOUR PLACE SOCIETY$49,608 GRANTED Our Place Society launched a successful six-month pilot project to provide lunch on weekends to address a significant gap in food security for individuals who are living in poverty in Greater Victoria and to reduce hunger, loneliness and desperation by providing those in need with nutrition and refuge on weekends. Police officers and neighbours have indicated there is a reduction in public disturbances when Our Place is open, leading to an enhanced sense of security in the community. Well-nourished people have improved health and make better choices. EDUCATIONYMCA/YWCA OF GREATER VICTORIA$6,400 GRANTED YMCA/YWCA of Greater Victoria operates the Pandora Youth apartments. This project is assisting youth ages 15 to 19 living in this downtown supported-housing complex by offering a series of experiential workshops with partner agencies to teach skills of meal planning, shopping on a budget, preparing nutritious meals, and encouraging more physical activity. ENVIRONMENTWORLD FISHERIES TRUST$10,000 GRANTED The World Fisheries Trust administers the environmental education portal Eco-Learning Hive listing 36 programs, coming events and 27 organizations on southern Vancouver Island for use by parents, teachers, students and others interested in learning about our local flora and fauna and fishery. HEALTH & RECREATIONCANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND $11,000 GRANTED The donors agreed that reading is a universal need and a fundamental right that is often denied blind and partially-sighted people. DAISY audio readers provided 19 seniors, with significant vision loss, the opportunity to read unassisted, remain engaged with current events through newspapers and magazines, and maintain social contact.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN!
Last year, several donor-advised fund holders recommended that their annual fund distributions be used to support the needs and opportunities outlined in the Make it happen! booklet. The following projects – and more – were fully funded thanks to the support of our donors.
BALLET VICTORIA SOCIETY (Page 2)
SAANICH VOLUNTEER SERVICES SOCIETY (Page 7)
THANK YOU Together with you, the Victoria Foundation works to make our community stronger by
connecting people who care with causes that matter速 . Our vision is as relevant today as it was when the Foundation was created in 1936. That is our history, our legacy, and our future.
SWOVA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH SOCIETY (Page 12)
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF BC SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND CHAPTER (Page 10)