VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Joan Phillip says a new community space for Britannia Community Services Centre Society will improve food security and access to social programs for vulnerable households and people across East Vancouver.

“Everyone deserves the supports and services that allow them to live full, healthy lives,” said Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. “With limited space at their current location, it is difficult for Brittania to meet the demand of vulnerable households in the area. From this funding, more people in our community will have better access to food, culture and a higher quality of life.”

Britannia Community Services Centre Society is receiving $80,000 to convert a multi-use warehouse space located at 1739 East Hastings Street into a community centre space with a kitchen to support food security and other social programs for vulnerable households and individuals and social and cultural programs for at-risk youth.

The funding will go toward social and cultural programs including drumming, story telling, printing and regalia making as part of a base for the IRSSS QQXX Indigenous Youth Justice Program. The grant will also be used to make improvements to the building in partnership with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre Society. The changes include a new HVAC system, walk-in cooler, commercial kitchen, furniture, and programming equipment.

This investment recognizes the importance of food security for people in B.C. The BC New Democrat government is taking action to help the society remove barriers for more people across Vancouver by increasing access to the supports, services and programs people need to lead dignified and fulfilling lives.