Staff and volunteers from the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre put on multiple programs throughout the year, like their Christmas hamper initiative.  (Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre)

By Jordan Davidson

$3M worth

Nanaimo non-profits making the most out of latest provincial grants

Jul 15, 2022 | 4:26 PM

NANAIMO — A number of mid-Island non-profits received a welcome boost from the provincial government this week.

North of $3 million worth of grants were handed out to over 80 organizations as part of the B.C. government’s Community Gaming Grants program. Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island received $214,500 in grant money, the most out of any Island group.

Executive director Karen Love said this is the highest amount they’ve ever received from this grant, and it will be used to fund 18-20 of their school, youth, and child care programs.

“We don’t really know what the fundraising is going to be like for not-for-profits coming out of COVID. It’s an essential grant. Without this grant, we would actually have to close some of our programs. We hope to get this every year and we’re really really pleased.”

Love said they are also planning on breaking ground on an expansion at their Ladysmith location, with plans to eventually expand their Nanaimo location as well as bringing more programs to the Parksville area.

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The Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre received $78,000, which helps them continue to provide after-school child care programs.

Executive director Grace Nielsen said the money will go directly to those who need it most.

“When our workers are supporting the kids in our after-school program, not only do they help them with their school work, they also provide any wrap-around services they may need. Counselling, support, whatever they need.”

Nielsen told NanaimoNewsNOW they are also able to stretch out that money throughout their summer programs.

“We have summer camp, and so we may have extra Elders that come in or extra councillors if they need it.”

Their after school program is open to any child from Kindergarten to grade 7. (Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre)

The Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre received $110,000, while the Nanaimo Foodshare Society received $100,000.

Other major donations include $100,000 for the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, $169,000 for Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank Society, and $67,830 for People for a Healthy Community On Gabriola Society.

“These not-for-profit organizations play an important role in our community and I am thankful for their hard work,” Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, said in a statement. “This funding will go a long way to ensure they can continue supporting people.”

This year, the provincial government will dole out $61 million worth of grants will be distributed to 1,364 human and social service organizations around the province.

A full list of recipients of community gaming grant funding is below, sorted by provincial riding:

Community Gaming Grants for Nanaimo:

• Altrusa Club of Nanaimo – $15,475
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island – $91,750
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island – $214,500
• Enchanted Woodland Children’s Society – $18,450
• Hub-City Lions Society Nanaimo – $18,000
• Kinsmen Club of Nanaimo – $4,000
• Knights Mid-Island Charitable Society – $10,200
• Nanaimo Association for Community Living – $32,100
• Nanaimo Brain Injury Society – $75,000
• Nanaimo Child Development Centre Society – $85,000
• Nanaimo Community Gardens Society – $25,000
• Nanaimo Community Hospice Society – $100,000
• Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society – $41,000
• Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre Society – $57,400
• Nanaimo Family Life Association – $79,100
• Nanaimo Foodshare Society – $111,000
• Nanaimo Lions Club of Nanaimo B.C. – $19,000
• Nanaimo Literacy Association – $72,000
• Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre – $110,000
• Nanaimo Parent Participation Preschool – $6,300
• Nanaimo Volunteer and Information Centre Society – $28,500
• Rotary Club of Nanaimo North – $17,750
• Scouts Canada – 1st Departure Bay – $8,400
• Vancouver Island Crisis Society – $71,550
• Vancouver Island Integrated Counselling and Community Services Society – $60,000
• Vancouver Island Mental Health Society – $45,000

Community Gaming Grants for Nanaimo-North Cowichan:

• Chemainus Community Schools Association – $38,900
• Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association – $24,000
• Rotary Club of Chemainus – $23,000
• Gabriola Lions Club – $14,000
• Gabriola Nursery School Society Child Care – $7,000
• People for a Healthy Community On Gabriola Society – $67,830
• 257 RCACS Parent Committee – $2,700
• Fraternal Order of Eagles #2101 Ladies Auxiliary – $22,000
• Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladysmith Aerie 2101 – $21,250
• Kinsmen Club of Ladysmith – $24,000
• Ladysmith Family and Friends Society – $70,510
• Ladysmith Lions Club – $19,400
• Ladysmith Resources Centre Association – $64,900
• Rotary Club of Ladysmith – $9,500
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch #171 Ladysmith – $12,000
• Cedar School and Community Enhancement Society – $9,000
• Lions Club of Cedar – $18,000
• Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank Society – $169,000
• Nanaimo Innovation Academy Foundation – $22,000
• Pacificsport Regional Centre – Vancouver Island – $51,000
• Scouts Canada – 1st Nanaimo – $4,500
• Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Society – $78,000
• Women of the Moose #197 – $20,000

Community Gaming Grants for Parksville-Qualicum:

• Central Island Independent School Society – $35,000
• Rotary Club of Lantzville Society – $18,000
• Rotary Club of Nanaimo Daybreak – $16,500
• Knights of Columbus Ascension Council #7991 – $26,000
• Navy League of Canada – Oceanside Branch – $4,900
• Oceanside Building Learning Together Society – $24,000
• Parksville Lions Club – $10,000
• Sunrise Preschool Association – $8,500
• Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks #589 – $15,000
• Oceanside Hospice Society – $94,000
• Parksville Qualicum 4-H District Council – $7,000
• The Air Cadet League of Canada, 893 Beaufort Squadron Sponsoring Committee – $4,100

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow