Do you wonder if money you give to the United Way comes back to your community? Have a look at the projects that have been funded through Success by 6 in the Robson and Canoe Valleys since 2008.
Success by 6 is a unique partnership among United Way, the Credit Unions of BC and the BC Government’s Ministry of Children and Family Development. It has provided $59,560 in funding to 38 projects in McBride, Dunster, Tete Jaune and Valemount, ranging from providing infant change tables to clubs and libraries, to funding parent-led play groups, early childhood education programs, and first aid training.
Some of that funding is now disappearing. Bob Moore, Success by 6 North Central Regional Manager explained at a recent meeting with the Robson–Canoe Valleys Advisory Committee that reserve dollars for projects across the province have been used up since a reduction in government funding four years ago. That means the general funding stream will be cut in half, with $5,000 available to the Robson and Canoe Valleys table for 2013/14. An additional $3,000 will be available in Aboriginal Engagement funds (a cut of more than two-thirds), with a potential of other funds for special projects.
Kim Thorn, member of the advisory committee is happy that our area has received that money in the past. With the reduced funding, all eight tables in the region and all others across the province will have to get smarter to try to provide the same opportunities.
“We’ll have to find more partners, especially for big projects like Kinnickinnickers,” Thorn says. It was an original grant of $5,000 to the Canoe Valley Community Association in 2010/11 that started the funding for the newly opened Family Center. Since then, the Canoe Valley Community Association was able to raise money from organizations such as the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, and a lot of community support, which enabled it to open the doors at Kinnickinnickers. They’ve also just received funding from Columbia Basin Trust’s new Social Grants Program, which will enable them to run the full pilot program for 2 years.
“When other organizations see that Success by 6 is supporting a project,” Thorn continues, “it helps them decide it’s a worthwhile project, and support it too.”
By: Korie Marshall
