NDP MLAs say funding will support youth programs and vulnerable people in Burnaby

BURNABY – New Democrat MLAs say that over $400,000 in funding from the province will help support programs for youth and vulnerable people and families in Burnaby.

“Community organizations have worked tirelessly to continue to serve people in Burnaby over the last year,” said Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. “With this funding, our New Democrat government is helping these groups to reach more people so that our most vulnerable are not left behind.”

Five organizations based in Burnaby are receiving support:

  • The Burnaby Neighbourhood House Society is receiving $40,800 to purchase a shipping container retrofitted to distribute food to vulnerable populations.
  • Dixon Transition Society is receiving $124,000 to purchase a minivan, school bus, and playground equipment to support their existing clients and a childcare facility that is under development.
  • Odd Squad Productions Society is receiving $42,333 to purchase video equipment so they can continue serving vulnerable youth virtually during the pandemic.
  • Skate Canada, British Columbia and Yukon Section, is receiving $90,000 to support program delivery for youth during the pandemic, including purchasing plexiglass barriers and hand sanitizer, and video equipment to allow officials to officiate from home.
  • The BC Labour Heritage Centre Society is receiving $112,007 for the installation of a memorial sculpture to honour and commemorate the thousands of people who have lost their lives due to asbestos exposure. The sculpture will be placed adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre.

These are five of 53 local not-for-profit organizations around B.C. receiving support this year from the capital project stream of the Community Gaming Grants program.

This year, the program prioritized capital project requests from not-for-profits facing an increased demand for services or requiring modifications to programs and facilities to meet public health and safety guidelines.

The program has made it a condition that all grant funding this year complies with Provincial Health Officer orders and is providing flexibility for organizations to delay project and service delivery until they can do so safely.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23626

Quotes

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake

“Now more than ever, activities for children and youth are crucial for their mental and physical wellbeing. This funding will help community organizations to continue to deliver programs so our kids can continue to enjoy them.”

Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds

“The BC Labour Heritage Centre Society does such important work to preserve our history, and I’m so proud that thanks to their work there will be a monument to remember the lives of workers lost due to asbestos.”