The Canada Post Community Foundation has awarded the Nourish Cowichan Society with a $15,000 cheque to help pay for a project to expand the society’s kitchen. Nourish Cowichan provides free meals to food-insecure children in the area.
A total of approximately $1.2 million in grants has been awarded this year by the Canada Post Community Foundation to 84 organizations across the country.
These grants, raised and distributed within each province and territory, supports these organizations’ efforts to improve the lives of Canadian children and youth.
Canadian charities, schools and community organizations that provide programming for children and youth (up to age 21) can apply for the grants, which range in value up to $25,000.
Eligible projects should increase the capacity of an organization and create or expand services, like purchasing new equipment or launching new programs, rather than maintaining existing services.
Members of the City of Duncan’s council, as well representatives from the Canada Post Community Foundation and the Nourish Cowichan Society, were on hand for the recent cheque presentation at the Duncan post office.
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North Cowichan council will support a local business that is now doing work across B.C. and Canada.
At its meeting on Sept. 26, council decided to write a letter of support for West Coast Pre Fab in Chemainus as part of the company’s application for a grant from the province’s BC Manufacturing Job Fund.
West Coast Pre Fab provides full service project management, industrial, commercial and municipal mechanical maintenance and installations, fabrication and installation of structural steel, and engineering.
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is intended to help manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns.
“This company has come a long way from when it first started on Duncan Street with two employees,” said Coun. Tek Manhas.
“The company has now moved to Chemainus and has work all over B.C. and other parts of Canada. It’s a great success story for our community.”
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Paper Excellence Canada, which owns the Crofton mill, is donating $50,000 to support the Outland Youth Employment Program.
This contribution underscores Paper Excellence’s commitment to Indigenous youth development, education, and community engagement in Canada.
The Outland Youth Employment Program is a national network of land-based education, training, and work opportunities for high-school aged Indigenous youth.
It is a six-week work experience providing training and education in a supportive space that replicates various work environments.
“It is essential that we help create opportunities for the next generation,” said Lana Wilhelm, director of Indigenous relations at Paper Excellence.
“Our donation to the Outland Youth Employment Program aligns with our values of community engagement, youth empowerment, and Indigenous reconciliation. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact this contribution will have on the lives of Indigenous youth across Canada.”
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Join the BC Chamber of Commerce in conversations that will address some of the most important issues facing small- and medium-sized businesses during the chamber’s 2023 Small Business Week Summit, which will be held on Oct. 16-20.
The chamber will hold a series of sessions during the week that will be hosted via Zoom webinar to ensure participants are equipped to navigate today’s uncertain business environment and harness the opportunities out there.
Tickets for the sessions are complimentary.
They include “Making Sense of Today’s Economy: How Business Can Navigate Uncertainty & Fine Opportunity” on Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., “Transform Your Organization With AI” on Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., “Business and Reconcili-ACTION” on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and “Business as an Engine for Good, Resilience, Impact” on Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Check out the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce website to register for the sessions.
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In other business news during Small Business Week, Island Savings is rolling out the red carpet on Oct. 18 for a standout Mix & Mingle, which are regular social events held by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, at Island Saving’s central branch in Duncan.
Food at the Mix & Mingle will be supplied by CVI Restaurant and Lounge.
“This is your chance to celebrate the drive and innovation of our local small businesses,” the chamber said on its website. “We’d love for you to be part of this special occasion. Reserve the date for an evening of networking, sharing tales, and looking to what’s next.”
The event, which runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., is free for chamber members and non-members.
Register online on the chamber’s website, call 250-748-1111 or email chamber@duncancc.bc.ca.