BC NDP MLA Phillip says stronger community services coming to Vancouver

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BC NDP MLA Joan Phillip says people living in Vancouver will have better access to essential community services, thanks to funding for capital projects that help not-for-profit organizations improve and expand their facilities and programs.

“The Kettle Friendship Society provides essential supports to community members who are living with mental illness and other challenges,” says Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona. “Improvements to the Drop-In Centre will ensure that people can continue accessing safe, reliable resources that support their well-being.”

The following recipients were awarded grants to support capital projects in Vancouver, totalling over $480,000 invested in the region:

  • Canoe Culture Society – $100,000
  • The Kettle Friendship Society – $127,080
  • Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, Renovations – $70,000
  • PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Society – $45,000
  • HUB Cycling – $45,000
  • Disability Alliance BC Society – $36,500
  • United Players of Vancouver – $30,871
  • Karate B.C. – $27,508

Across BC, 54 capital projects are receiving a total of $5 million through the Community Gaming Grants program. The grants allow non-profit organizations to acquire essential equipment or undertake renovations.

These grants are part of the work your BC NDP government is doing to ensure British Columbians have access to programs and services that improve their quality of life, support local needs, and build vibrant communities.

Quick Facts:

  • Community Gaming Grants also fund projects and initiatives in the arts and culture, sports, human and social services, public safety and environmental conservation sectors, as well as parent and district parent advisory councils in B.C. schools.
  • The Community Gaming Grants program distributes up to $140 million each year.
  • Program funds are provided from general revenues via provincial commercial gambling revenue in partnership with the BC Lottery Corporation.

Backgrounder:

  • Canoe Culture Society – $100,000. The society plans to build a portable Indigenous Carving Shed, a unique structure designed to be moved from site to site, beginning its journey in Concord Community Park, located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
  • The Kettle Friendship Society – $127,080. Drop-In Centre, a critical resource hub for reducing homelessness and providing holistic support, requires structural upgrades to ensure a safe and accessible environment; priority renovations include the roof, washrooms, flooring, grease trap, and millwork, as part of a strategic plan to maintain services until a new facility can be built.
  • Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale – $70,000. Renovation project to create a more inclusive, safe, and functional space by improving accessibility, adding modular workspaces, enhancing event infrastructure, formalizing entrances, and incorporating energy-efficient features, fostering creativity and community engagement.
  • PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Society – $45,000. Modernize and integrate a new mobile-friendly website and CRM ticketing system to improve user experience, streamline operations, enhance accessibility, and better engage younger and diverse audiences with PuSh Festival’s artistic programming.
  • HUB Cycling – $45,000. Updating the technological backbone of their website and redesigning it for improved accessibility (e.g., sufficient color contrast, readable fonts, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility).
  • Disability Alliance BC Society – $36,500. Website Redesign: Upholding Accessibility and Inclusion.
  • United Players of Vancouver – $30,871. This project aims to replace aging and non-compliant risers at the Jericho Arts Centre with a safe, accessible, 7-tier seating system to enhance audience safety, improve accessibility, and increase community participation in theatre programming.
  • Karate B.C. – $27,508. Competition Equipment Upgrade Project: 5 sets of tatami mats; tablets for electronic scoring; Instant Video Review equipment for 6 areas.  This will help meet the goal of standardizing equipment to 2024 competition level.