In 2019, the Society was pleased to support the following organizations whose projects will create access to housing and support the most vulnerable in Surrey:
Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society
Project: STAR Recovery Program – renovation costs, to fulfill Fraser Health licensing requirements, allowing increased capacity to support individuals through recovery
Amount: $100,000
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Project: All Nations Eviction Specialist – supporting Indigenous families and individuals through the eviction process and preventing eviction
Amount: $79,034
Aunt Leah’s Place
Project: Supportive Suites for Youth in Care – providing supportive housing for youth aging out of foster care in Surrey
Amount: $25,966
Pacific Community Resources Society
Project: Guildford House Renovation – increasing the livability of the house that provides a home for homeless and at risk youth
Amount: $25,000
Home Front
Project: Making Homelessness Rare, Brief and One-Time – fostering collaboration and increasing regional capacity for data collection and sharing
Amount: $20,000
Please keep checking our website for more details regarding the 2020 Call for Proposals.
Thank you to the 2019 Community Leaders for their leadership and great work:
Surrey Libraries
Surrey Libraries truly provides a community hub where everyone is welcome and included. They offer many community programs which provide resources and guidance on important topics. The Outreach Programs Team at Surrey Libraries really make these programs accessible to all, even going into our homeless shelters to provide library services to those who may not have access to these services otherwise.
Ms. Amy Reid
Amy has been a reporter in Surrey for roughly a decade. She covers a variety of stories and issues through her work, from crime to education to civic politics. She naturally gravitated toward a niche she has carved out for herself in the newsroom as a reporter who takes a keen interest in social issues, specifically issues surrounding homelessness, as well as the overdose epidemic. Amy became a journalist to give a voice to those who need one or who can’t speak up loud enough on their own, and she cares deeply about her community.
Ms. Tabitha Naismith
Tabitha is a strong local community advocate for poverty reduction. In 2016, she was elected as secretary on ACORN’s national board, where she has had the opportunity to work with ACORN leaders across Canada. Tabitha is passionate about being a voice and advocate for others who may not have a voice. She has been involved in many campaigns, including the campaign to end the child support claw back, and others advocating for affordable internet, transit and housing for all. Tabitha is a member of the Surrey Poverty Reduction Coalition and sits on the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s advisory forum, which helped shape BC’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Mr. Mike Musgrove
Mike has been with Surrey Urban Mission since 2015. His compassion and caring for vulnerable people is evident in his work and in his presence in community. During the 135A move into the modular units last June, Mike worked tirelessly with the folks on 135A who would come to The Mission for support and updates. This is just one example of how Mike goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone who enters The Mission is met with open arms and a sense of dignity and respect.
Extreme Weather Response Space
The faith community has been demonstrating tremendous leadership as they stepped up and volunteered to provide Extreme Weather Response shelter space over the winter of 2018 and 2019. This space provides a temporary place to sleep during the cold and wet winter months, when conditions are deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life and health of people experiencing homelessness. Pacific Community Church, Peninsula United Church and Star of the Sea Catholic Church provides this space for those in need.
Special Recognition to B&B Contracting and Ms. Vera LeFranc:
B&B Contracting
Thank you to B&B Contracting, for their generous support over the last 5 years and their renewed commitment to pledge $100,000 over 5 years to help SHHS fulfill the vision that Everyone in Surrey Has a Home.
Ms. Vera LeFranc
Vera was recognized for her continued dedication to Surrey and its citizens. She was honoured for her 10 years of service to the Society as staff, her passionate community leadership, and her ongoing support of Surrey’s most vulnerable. Vera initiated many impactful community projects over the years, such as the Community Leaders Igniting Change program and the Connecting Community to Youth Leaving Care project. Vera also had a hand in initiating conversations and building relationships which resulted in the formation of the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee, a committee with the mission to be the collective voice of the urban Indigenous population in Surrey.