At its regular meeting on Monday, Courtenay Council was provided with an update on the Strengthening Communities’ Grant program.
Members of council were told that over $600,000 in grant funding has been distributed to service providers.
Since being implemented by the city last year, the $1.093 million program has resulted in over 18,000 individual service interactions in the Comox Valley.
With 52 engagement events, it also has resulted in over 90 people receiving specialized training for their work supporting or interacting with those experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges.
Mayor Bob Wells says that the grant funding has helped deliver much-needed programs throughout the region. “We are so fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate service providers here in the Comox Valley,” said Wells. “Every one of these thousands of individual interactions represents a chance to connect someone to services that will help them with health, housing, and other essential social supports.”
When asked by Councillor Doug Hillian if the province will have something to help keep the services going once the program ends in June of next year, Geoff Garbutt, Chief Administrative Officer of Courtenay said that hopefully progress will be made on purpose-built facilities which would negate the need for some of those activities.
He also added that they’ll continue to work with the various levels at the province, to secure direct funding and support those looking for funding.
For more information on the grant, visit the City of Courtenay’s website.
