2018 Grant Recipient Recognition Event
Members of the community came out to the Surrey Arts Centre on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, to celebrate the hardworking homeless-serving agencies in Surrey.
Minister Selena Robinson gave a personal and inspiring call to action in her opening address, and Mayor Linda Hepner shared the political will, collaboration and compassion that led to the ethical outcomes in Phase 1 of the 135A Surrey Housing Project.
2018 Grant Recipients
Councillor Villeneuve presented eight organizations with 2018 grants totaling $938,950 for projects that will have a direct impact on homelessness in Surrey. This funding will help create 260 homes, as well as maintain current transitional and shelter beds for those in need. This funding will also support important capacity building initiatives focused on collaboration and innovative approaches to providing services to those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness.
The 2018 Recipient Organizations:
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Options Community Services
Kekinow Native Housing Society
Lookout Housing and Health Society
Pacific Community Resources Society
Vancity Community Foundation on behalf of Home Front
The Launching Pad Addiction Rehabilitation Society
The Realistic Success Recovery Society
Video Screening
In collaboration with Novel Pics, Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society developed a video which had its debut screening at the event. The video describes the collaborative process and deep compassion that was necessary to implement individual plans for those living on 135A Street and move them into nearby modular housing. Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society is so proud of the project partners for having the will to try something different. They put the individual needs of the vulnerable first and lead the way home with kindness and empathy. The Society wholeheartedly supported this initiative and committed $489,733 towards the land lease for the housing sites. This is a first step toward a solution, and we acknowledge that there is more work to be done. Please click here to watch the video.