Community Grant Recipients
August 2024
The ambitious people driving the organizations and initiatives in our community are a constant source of inspiration. We are forever grateful to live, work + play in a place where so many folks are invested in making change happen! As members, your continued support helps strengthen our community, contributing to the success of these incredible initiatives and projects.
Each quarter your Kootenay Co-op gives out four grants valued up to $500 for projects or initiatives that help strengthen and support our local community. This summer we were able to give out $2,000 in community grants to these amazing community projects!
Kootenay Acres Farm Sanctuary
Kootenay Acres is a hobby farm turned farm sanctuary with a specific focus on special needs animals and farm rescues/rehomes. Their mission is to provide a safe haven for farm animals, promote their responsible and humane treatment, and advocate for animals traditionally used for farming as companions. They will be using grant funding from the Kootenay Co-op to further expand and improve their volunteer programs and purchase essential tools + supplies. Their goal is to accommodate larger volunteer groups and enhance accessibility at the sanctuary.
To achieve these goals, they plan to create a dedicated volunteer center that includes a seating area and a graded or concrete pad to ensure wheelchair accessibility; install a propane washing station to enhance safety and hygiene for all volunteers, especially during hands-on activities with the animals; construct a covered area; and provide a sheltered space that allows volunteers to participate in activities regardless of weather conditions.
Selkirk College Foundation SOAR Community Garden
The Selkirk College SOAR (Steps to Opportunities, Academics and Readiness) Program offers hands-on experiential education designed to prepare adult students for success. Their mission is to nurture interdependence and independence through meaningful learning. In partnership with the Nelson Community Food Centre, Bigby Place, Kootenay Kids, and Learning in Retirement, the SOAR Program hosts a community garden.
The community garden is not only an outside classroom for building employability skills for the SOAR students, but also feeds the community and their neighbours. The garden is used well into the fall and starts up again in the spring and summer, as prime growing season begins. The community grant will fund the continued use and upkeep of the garden, accounting for the ongoing costs for soil, seeds, tools, and garden boxes.
The Endo Educational Organization of Canada
The Endo Educational Organization of Canada (EEOC) works to increase education about endometriosis across Canada. The Endo School Outreach Program, launched in the fall, will provide high schools across the Kootenays with resources and education to better support students who have symptoms of endometriosis. This grant will help to grow existing efforts in high schools to offer education about endometriosis to colleges + universities, workplaces, and medical offices. Each office or institution receives a package of educational materials that include an informative DVD, poster, trifold pamphlets, and a booklet.
West Kootenay Women’s Association Women’s Centre Drop-in Program
The Nelson & District Women’s Centre promotes the equality and empowerment of women and their children through advocacy, education, and the provision of services + supports that meet their needs. While working for societal change, they endeavour to provide support to all women on their personal journeys, including support for trans women and gender-diverse individuals who may benefit from the unique services offered by the Women’s Centre. Their drop-in program serves all these groups, helping them to access important resources and services like food, clothing, counseling, community, and more. All services are free to access. This grant will help keep the drop-in doors open by allowing Nelson + District Women’s Association to pay for food and coordinators.
