A Vancouver Foundation program that's been engaging residents in other communities is coming to New Westminster.
The goal of the Vancouver Foundation's neighbourhood small grants program is to connect and engage community members at the neighbourhood level by providing individual community members with small amounts of money to develop ideas they may have.
"This program is intended to build leadership strength and capacity; create a sense of belonging, inclusion and pride; enhance and share knowledge and skills; and recognize diversity," said a recent staff report to city council. "Examples of projects funded in other participating communities include a book exchange, a canning workshop, a community garden, an intergenerational storytelling project and a street party."
The Vancouver Foundation approached the City of New Westminster in March about offering the neighbourhood small grant program in the Royal City. Family Services of Greater Vancouver is serving as the host agency for the pilot program in New Westminster.
The program offers grants of $50 to $500 to groups of neighbours who want to work together on small projects to enhance their neighbourhoods socially, physically or culturally. Events must be free of charge to all participants.
According to Family Services, the application deadlines are June 25 and Sept. 17, and projects must be complete by Feb. 28, 2013. People can contact coordinator Maylen Crespo at [email protected] or apply online at www.neighbourhood smallgrants.ca/new-westminster.
The program will be coordinated by a host agency and funded by the Vancouver Foundation. The city will assist in setting up the program and will work with grant applicants to assist them in implementing their activities or staging their events.
A total of $20,000 is available in 2012 for programs in New Westminster.
