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Tag: Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta

Outstretched hands, male, female, white and black, reach inward to make a circle of support

Nearly $1M available to support southwestern Alberta charities

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta and the United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta announced Jan. 6 their participation in the Community Services Recovery Fund, a one-time investment of $400 million by the Government of Canada to support the charitable sector’s pandemic recovery.

The CSRF, which will be facilitated by local community foundations, Canadian Red Crosses and United Ways across the country, will provide Canada’s charitable sector with the tools needed to adapt, modernize and be better equipped to improve their efficacy, accessibility and sustainability.

Funding from the CSRF will enable the charitable sector to invest in its own organizational capacity to adapt the way it delivers services to support the needs of staff and volunteers; buy equipment such as computers and software; create new ways of working, such as developing new fundraising approaches; provide support for staff and volunteers, such as staff training, supports for mental health and well-being; and develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.

The Community Foundation has $570,000 available to award, while the United Way has $419,024 available, for a total of $989,024 to support southwestern Alberta’s charitable sector.

“The charitable sector plays a critical role in our community’s well-being,” said Charleen Davidson, Community Foundation executive director. “Through the CSRF, southwestern Alberta now has additional resources to help organizations make updates and changes necessary so that they can continue to support our community.”

“The CSRF responds to what charities and non-profits need right now,” said Jaci Zalesak, United Way Lethbridge and South Western Alberta executive director. “Funding will ensure there is a meaningful impact in our communities to strengthen organizations, their systems, programs and people.”

The application period runs from Jan. 6 to Feb. 21, 2023. For more information, contact the Community Foundation’s grants co-ordinator, Caitlin Gajdostik by email, or the United Way’s Executive Director, Jaci Zalesak, by email or www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca.

Join the CSRF team for a walk-through of the program and its guidelines. This session will give insight on the Community Services Recovery Fund, its eligibility criteria, timelines and next steps. We will also go through filling out an application.

“The government supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada as the long-term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic continues,” said Karina Gould, federal minister of families, children and social development.

“The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of charities and non-profits to deliver services and resources where they will have the most impact,” she said. “Because of the national funders’ strong connections with local organizations, they will ensure funding is distributed efficiently to organizations that provide services to communities in need across Canada.”

 

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A pool table sits on new flooring at Group Group Youth drop-in centre in Pincher Creek

Group Group Youth drop-in centre gets facelift

 

Renovations are complete and a welcoming atmosphere has been created at Group Group Youth Society’s drop-in centre in Pincher Creek, with an upgrade to commercial-grade flooring in the main program area of the building.

For some time, the non-profit organization was in desperate need of new flooring as the old tile flooring was breaking apart from wear, tear and age.

“It had gotten to the point that staff, and some youth members, were feeling embarrassed to have guests come to the centre,” says Lynne Teneycke, executive director of Group Group Youth.

Funding received from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta was key to moving the project along. Through the Community Priorities Grant, GGY received $8,000, which, along with some of its own funds, went into the renovations.

CFLSA supports this area of the province with grants generated through its endowment funds.

 

Sara Hawthorn, woman with long brown hair and glasses on ad for EXP Realty in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass

 

“Our floor is now so much easier to clean and care for, and so much nicer to live with,” Lynne says. 

It took time to find the necessary materials for the flooring project, but the finished product was well worth the wait.

“It was something that if we were going ahead and going through with it, we wanted to make sure that we did it right,” Lynne explains.

Once the right materials were delivered, renovations began immediately and were completed in under a week. 

GGY serves young members of the community aged six to 18. The organization promotes social interaction through community engagement opportunities, programs and its drop-in centre as a place to casually hang out.

Programs encourage its youth constituents to interact and develop new interests, make new friends and develop life skills.

Some notable initiatives include the junior staff program, Kids Kitchen program, garden program, creation of art, crafts and photography projects, and fundraising projects.

 

Plate of Charlie Biggs' chicken tenders with sauces on the side and link to Blairmore menu.

 

The junior staff program allows youth members to learn how to pursue employment opportunities by submitting a resume and attending a job interview for the program. From there, the member can be “hired” to assist senior staff with tasks around the centre.

“It is amazing how a youngster’s attitude can change when they become ‘staff,’ ” says Lynne.

The Kids Kitchen program runs hand-in-hand with the garden program. Members learn how to cook a variety of meals, often using ingredients from garden beds they tend at the centre. The kitchen always has snacks for members who are hungry for something simple.  

When it comes to arts and crafts, the kids help in deciding what projects they’d like to undertake. Presently, youth members are creating calendars for next year using their own photo.

GGY always seeks to give back to the town where they can. Through fundraising initiatives, they do “in-house” concessions, recycle bottles and cans, and lend a few helping hands at various community events.  

If you are interested in having your child, aged six to 18, become a youth member of GGY, give Lynne a call at 403-627-4616 or swing by during operating hours, from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

 

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Male youth pins poppy to Remembrance Day cross held by female youth, while another male youth stands at attention, on the front page of Shootin' the Breeze. Alberta news from Pincher Creek area and Crowsnest Pass.

Nov. 9, 2022

We will remember them

Peter Van Bussel and Abigail Rigaux receive a poppy from Walker Anderson at the MHHS Remembrance Day assembly in Pincher Creek.