News Release – Adoption and Permanency Fund of BC

Posted on February 1, 2018 in Grants, Victoria News

January 31, 2018

 $75,000 Awarded for Adoption and Permanency Projects in BC

 VICTORIA, BC – The Adoption and Permanency Fund of BC has granted a total of $75,000 for eight projects in support of adoption and permanency in British Columbia.

Haida Child and Family Services Society spokesperson, Karen Wainwright, expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Fund. “The grant we have received will help us reach our goal to work with our honoured Matriarchs in matters of child and family issues…it is one more step towards developing and delivering holistic programs and services that model our traditional Haida way of life.”

The independent Adoption and Permanency Fund of BC was established in 2003 by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to help British Columbia’s children and youth awaiting adoption and/or other permanent connections. Since inception, it has granted over $1.3M for more than 200 different projects across the province.

“We’re working hard to ensure all children grow up in safe and nurturing environments,” said Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy. “The diversity of projects this funding supports, from research to recreational camps and supporting grandparents and relatives, will make an immediate difference for some of BC’s most vulnerable youth and those who care for them.”

As of December 2017, MCFD reported there were 6,804 children and youth in care in BC. More than 900 of them are waiting for a permanent family.

Grant Recipients

  • Aunt Leah’s Independent Lifeskills Society: $7,500 to research the effectiveness of the Housing First Model for homeless youth formerly in-care.
  • Carrier Sekani Family Services: $7,500 to provide recreational and cultural camps for children and foster parents.
  • Haida Child and Family Services: $10,000 for staff and volunteer training on the building of lasting relationships with the families they serve.
  • Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services: $5,000 to develop culturally appropriate early-years programming for aboriginal children-in-care and their care-givers, and for recently reunited families.
  • Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem Child and Family Services: $16,300 to convene digital storytelling workshops for Cowichan youth to share their unique adoption experiences.
  • Northwest Inter-nation Family and Community Services: $5,000 to deliver a 12-month project to provide in-care youth the cultural, social, economic and financial skills required to successfully transition to independent living.
  • Parent Support Services Society of BC: $8,700 to assist grandparents and other relatives who are caring for children on a full-time basis, so as to enhance permanency arrangements and reduce disruptive events.
  • Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services Society: $15,000 to complete an evaluation of cultural safety workshops for care-givers.

“We continue to be inspired by the quality of both the research and the very personalized work being done in the pursuit of establishing and maintaining lifelong connections and permanency” said David Cameron, the Fund’s Advisory Committee Chair.  “It remains our privilege to have the opportunity to help.” 

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Background:

 The Adoption and Permanency Fund of BC is administered by the Victoria Foundation under the guidance of a nine-person advisory committee appointed by the Adoption Council of Canada.  Committee members promote the fund’s availability, evaluate applications and make granting recommendations.

The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development asked the Victoria Foundation to manage the Fund because of the Foundation’s proven granting experience, administrative capabilities and prudent financial investment policy.

Founded in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second-oldest community foundation. To date, it has invested almost $200M in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen the community.

 For more information, please contact:

Rory Grewar
Director of Special Funds, Victoria Foundation
250.381.5532 ext. #226
email: rgrewar@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca