Seven Quadra Island community service organizations have cause to celebrate, now Canada-wide funding announcements of federal Recovery Grant monies have finally been made public.
“We encouraged all local community service organizations to apply for this funding, based on their organizational needs in response to the impact of COVID,” says Quadra Island Foundation (QIF) volunteer board chair Jody Rodgers.
The lucky recipients of $120,995 in grants funded by the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund were: Discovery Islands Affordable Housing Society, Quadra Island Cat Rescue Society, Quadra Island Climate Action Network (ICAN), Quadra Island Conservation & Stewardship Society, Quadra Island Health Society, Quadra Island Recreation Society and Surge Narrows Community Association.
The monies will be used to strengthen the efficiency and resiliency of each organization and improve their ability to provide and maintain their vital services during any future pandemic or similar catastrophe.
Some examples of how those monies are being spent include:
- ICAN hiring a part-time coordinator to study the effectiveness of their current communication strategies, and developing a plan to assess, improve and extend these strategies;
- Quadra Island Health Society developing a web-based interactive system to assist neighbours toward healthier living;
- Quadra Island Cat Rescue Society initiating digital solutions to streamline record-keeping, communication, and volunteer interaction with the public;
- Quadra Island Recreation Centre digitizing its antiquated registration system and volunteer database.
“Volunteers and local organizations have a long legacy of providing vital community service on Quadra Island. This funding will help these island organizations strengthen and adapt to the changing needs of the community and adapt for future community service,” says QIF’s founding volunteer board chair, Michael Mascal.
The funding available through QIF for the Recovery Grants was part of a $400 million Government of Canada investment in a national COVID recovery fund to support charities, non-profits and indigenous governing bodies. Funding for organizations in the wider Strathcona Regional District Area C specifically targeted investment in systems and processes.
Jody Rodgers & Sarah Deagle for QIF with Jane West & Eamon Simmons for Quadra Island Recreation Society
Quadra Island Cat Rescue
Surge Narrows Community Association
Discovery Islands Affordable Housing
Quadra Island Health Society
Quadra Island Climate Action Network (ICAN)
Quadra Island Conservation & Stewardship Society
Article written by Diana Gault.