The Board of Directors at the United Way of Greater Victoria has approved additional funding to local community partners. 2010 was a transition year for the United Way – we were moving away from our former priority areas and moving into discussion and consultations with the community to build our new community investment strategy. The board approved funding during this transition period according to the former impact areas for a seven month funding period. These grants amounted to less than the dollars available for 2011. The partnership initiatives are funded from the unspent portion.
Taking a more proactive approach, the United Way staff team used collective knowledge and shared discussions with the community to establish a list of partnership initiatives that addressed one or more of the three new impact areas and moved the sector forward. This is a one time only granting but fit well within our impact areas and the vision articulated in our new Community Investment Framework.
Recognizing the continued need for safe, affordable housing, and addressing issues that fall under the two United Way impact areas of Poverty to possibility and Healthy people strong communities, $300,000 was invested into two Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness Initiatives:
Pacifica Housing – Clover Place: A housing project at 3291 Douglas Street run by the Pacifica Housing Advisory Association. The project provides 18 low barrier housing units and support for the residents. The result is a net increase in the supply of safe, affordable supported housing units for the chronically homeless and homeless-at-risk populations.
Victoria Cool Aid Society – Queens Manor: A housing project run by Victoria Cool Aid Society. The project is is a low barrier housing solution for individuals with backgrounds of mental illness and addiction. 710 Queens is a 36 unit motel which needs upgrading. The basic structure will not change and the units will be maintained as studio apartments. Each unit will be renovated to include a basic kitchen with a small fridge, sink and hotplate.
Falling under all three United Way Impact Areas; All that kids can be; Healthy people strong communities; and From poverty to possibility, $165,000 to two initiatives:
Success by 6® Vancouver Island – Peninsula Connections for Early Childhood Program, Victoria Conservatory of Music, Music Outreach Program and the 1Up Single Parent Resource Centre, Moms and Mentors Program.
Coalition of Neighbourhood Houses – Parent Mother Goose Program, Food Security, and the Mental Health Support Program.
Donate Now
