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Strengthening Communities’ Services Program

The Strengthening Communities’ Services Program is a shared funding program provided by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). Developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program supports unsheltered populations and addresses related community impacts.

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) made successful applications and was awarded funds in 2021 (Round One) and in 2022 (Round Two). The applications and programs are collaborations between the SRD, the City of Campbell River, the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness, and local service providers.

Round 1 (September 2021 to January 2023):

The SRD received $1,036,000 from the first round of funding in 2021. With this funding our community has supported a nightly dinner program, a warming centre, increased night-time security and safety, training supports for service providers, first nations cultural sensitivity training, food bank supports, expansion of mobile outreach services, support for a peer-based cleanup program, establishment of a justice support worker, community connection programs, and coordination of services.

Program Summary:

  • Hama?Elas Kitchen – Started in the early days of COVID, Hama?Elas Kitchen is a volunteer-based program that provides a hot meal each evening to those experiencing homelessness. Funding was provided to increase capacity and expand services.
  • Kwesa Place – Established by Laichwiltach Family Life Society, Kwesa Place is a warming centre that provides storage, shower and laundry facilities, and service navigation. Funding support was provided to increase capacity and expand services.
  • Night Time Security and Safety Program – Support was provided to the Downtown Campbell River Business Improvement Area to help improve security during prime times of concern and to help keep those experiencing unsheltered homelessness safe.
  • Training – With support from the grant program, Volunteer Campbell River spearheaded this project that provided community-based cultural sensitivity training, trauma-informed practice, crisis management and de-escalation training for social service provider staff and volunteers.
  • Walk With Me – Raising awareness of the impact of illicit drug toxicity, this project connects walkers to the stories of those experiencing homelessness, battling addiction, survivors of intergenerational trauma, as well as remembering those who have been lost and those still here.
  • Kwakwaka’wakw Cultural Awareness – Local indigenous cultural sensitivity and informational videos to improve knowledge and awareness amongst community leaders and service providers.
  • Harm Reduction PPE – Support was made available to service providers to make sure they had the necessary PPE, medical, hygiene, cleaning and harm reduction supplies so they could safely support those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
  • Food Bank – Support was provided to the Campbell River Food Bank to provide food supplies for individuals experiencing homelessness and minor building renovations.
  • Mobile Outreach Unit for Health and Supportive Service (MOUHSS) – Funds were provided to the Kwakiutl District Council (KDC Health) to expand and provide additional mobile outreach services to those experiencing homelessness in the region. This is a multi-sectoral program that brings together the health authority, mental health services, social support workers, and Indigenous organizations to deliver health and social support services throughout the region.
  • Get the Point – Get the Point connects and engages peers in clean-up activities to address public health concerns related to the impacts of unsheltered homelessness and those with addictions and mental health concerns. Funds were used to increase the capacity of this peer-based program delivered through KDC Health. The project is also supported by the City of Campbell River.
  • Community/Justice Support Worker – Delivered through Sasamans Society, this new program funds a Support Worker who helps to navigate those experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are navigating the justice system, healthcare systems and social supports.
  • Community Connections – Developed during the pandemic, the Campbell River Art Gallery’s Art Hive Program provides community connections to those experiencing homelessness in the downtown core.
  • Regional Food Security – Support was provided to the Strathcona Food Security Hub to coordinate expanded food security collaborations.
  • Coordination – Support was provided to the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness to expand services, coordinate grant activities, improve the capacity to collaborate with service providers to address the urgent needs of the community.

Round 2 (August 2022 to July 2023):

The SRD received $382,300 in the second round of funding in 2022. With this second round of funding, we continued to support vital programs for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in our community, such as the nightly dinner program and warming centre, as well as expanding outreach services, night-time security, and peer-based clean-up programs.

Program Summary:

  • Hama?Elas Kitchen – Funding was provided to support the operations, supplies, food costs, facility management, and peer/volunteer programs of this volunteer-run kitchen that provides nightly hot meal for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
  • Food Bank – Support was provided to the Campbell River Food Bank to provide food for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
  • Night Time Security and Safety Program – Additional funds were provided to the Downtown Campbell River Business Improvement Area to expand this program to include the Campbellton area.
  • Mobile Outreach Supportive Service – Additional funds were provided to the Kwakiutl District Council (KDC Health) to continue mobile outreach services to those experiencing homelessness in the region. The unit provides weekly outreach services to Sayward and Gold River.
  • Get the Point – Funds were provided to continue this program delivered by KDC Health. Also supported by the City of Campbell River, Get the Point connects and engages peers in clean-up activities to address public health concerns related to the impacts of unsheltered homelessness and those with addictions and mental health concerns.
  • Coordination – Support was provided to the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness to expand services, coordinate grant activities, improve the capacity to collaborate with service providers to address the urgent needs of the community, as well as to facilitate conversations and initiatives to end homelessness and housing insecurity in the region.

Progress

Round 1 (September 2021 to January 2023):

  • Phase 1 – Projects and programs launch (Fall 2021)
  • Phase 2 – Ongoing projects and programs (Fall 2021 to Winter 2023)
  • Phase 3 – Final Report (Winter 2023)

Round 2 (August 2022 to July 2023):

  • Phase 1 – Projects and programs launch (Fall 2022)
  • Phase 2 – Ongoing projects and programs (Fall 2022 – Summer 2023)
  • Phase 3 – Final Report (Summer 2023)

Documents

Staff Reports

Media Links

Background

The Strengthening Communities’ Services Program gives local governments and First Nations support and capacity to address the impacts of homelessness and community well-being as they recover from the pandemic.  For more information on the Strengthening Communities Service Program click here:  UBCM Strengthening Communities’ Service Page.

Contact

For further questions or more information, please contact Renee Laboucane – SRD Manager of Strategic Initiatives at 250-830-6711 or rlaboucane@srd.ca.