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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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FUNDING HELPS ABORIGINAL NOT-FOR-PROFITS BUILD
CAPACITY |
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VANCOUVER – The Province has
provided $800,000 to the Centre for Sustainability to help Aboriginal
not-for-profit organizations build capacity, Aboriginal Relations and
Reconciliation Minister Michael de Jong announced today.
“This funding will help community-level organizations strengthen
their ability to deliver programs and services,” said de Jong. “By creating stronger organizations,
not-for-profits will be better-positioned to support Aboriginal people – the youth, women, families, and people
with disabilities – who access their services every day from all across the
province. Building best practices and capacity for Aboriginal
organizations is a priority for government.”
The grants are distributed through
the Centre for Sustainability’s (CFS) Technical Assistance
Program for Aboriginal Not-for-Profits (TAP). The purpose of the funding is
to help identify and address existing organizational challenges in Aboriginal
not-for-profits, thereby increasing their capacity to better serve their
clients. CFS has funded 18 Aboriginal
not-for-profits around the province through this first cycle of funding under
TAP.
The breakdown of the $800,000 in funding includes:
“We are very excited to see the first round of grants heading to those not-for-profit organizations doing such important work for Aboriginal people in our province,” said Kevin Ronaghan, executive director of the Centre for Sustainability. “The Centre for Sustainability has considerable experience delivering organizational development assistance to British Columbia’s not-for-profit sector. Now we are able to support Aboriginal not-for-profits through a service model sensitive and specific to their needs.”
One of the grant recipients, the Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA), supports over 6,000 Aboriginal youth in Vancouver in creating social change, increasing awareness, making choices and taking control of their lives by engaging in constructive activities. KAYA received $10,000 through TAP and will use the funds toward board governance training and the development of personnel and administrative policies.
“It’s important to remember that many Aboriginal people, especially youth, have unique needs and it’s often organizations like ours that they turn to for help,” said Kelly L’Hirondelle, executive director of KAYA. “This funding will help KAYA continue to ensure Aboriginal youth can participate in their communities and have their voices heard.”
Another grant recipient is the Vancouver-based Aboriginal Mother Centre Society (AMCS), which provides homeless Aboriginal mothers and their families with programs and services necessary to help them move towards self sufficiency. AMCS received $7,000 from TAP to support a strategic visioning and planning process.
“The services we provide are very important to so many Aboriginal women and their families,” said AMCS executive director Penny Irons. “This money will help us to strengthen our organization and, consequently, the lives of these women and children – helping them to become healthy and self-sufficient while building their confidence.”
These grants support the Province’s Pacific Leadership Agenda to build a New Relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal people, conclude treaties, and close gaps in health, housing, education, and economic opportunities.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation 250 953-3211
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Executive Director Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association 604 254-5513
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Executive Director Centre for Sustainability 604 331-0366
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Executive Director Aboriginal Mother Centre Society 604 253-6262
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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