Seed Grant Success Stories
Everybody Active Cycle 1 Seed Grants
Community cooperation is one of the keys to sustainable access to recreation and physical activity. Everybody Active seed grants encourage stakeholders to discuss, learn and plan for collaborative action to remove barriers to participation. Find out how the following organizations have taken the lead in their communities.
Native and Inuit Nurses of BC - Kamloops
The Native and Inuit Nurses of BC held a gathering with several aboriginal communities in the Kamloops area to give community members an opportunity to discuss physical inactivity due to poverty. A solution that emerged was to revive the traditional practice of berry-picking, which would be a way for families to be physically active together and contribute to food security, cultural education and connection with nature. The Simpcw band will develop an Active Communities plan, including trail enhancement, a needs assessment and programming.
“Thank you so much for providing us the ability to see what the barriers are to active living, poverty and traditional nutritious foods.” Lucy Barney, Native and Inuit Nurses Association of BC
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society - East Vancouver
The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society was awarded an Everybody Active grant to explore how community gardens can contribute to increasing physical activity levels, primarily for immigrants, Aboriginal people and others affected by poverty in East Vancouver. To engage people in discussion, they hosted a walking tour and community forum. The forum involved community organizations, schools, City staff and residents and mobilized them around the benefits of community gardening and physical activity.
“It is really beautiful work and we are excited about the upcoming activities!” Erika del Carmen Fuchs, Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society
Social Planning Cowichan
In the Cowichan Valley, Social Planning Cowichan combined their passion for social justice with the Active Communities team’s expertise in active living. The two groups are committed to working together to remove barriers to participation across the regional district. Upcoming projects include conducting a needs assessment and focus groups with adults living in poverty. The teams are also encouraging their local government to review policies to ensure that local issues regarding access are addressed.
“This partnership has allowed us to raise awareness and has provided an opportunity for us to have input in our Region’s Active Communities Plan.” Michelle Nowzeck, Social Planning Cowichan
City of Campbell River
With the Everybody Active seed grant, the Active Campbell River Committee hosted focus groups with low-income members of their community in order to better understand barriers to participation in physical activity and recreation. The focus groups also brainstormed potential solutions. Their input ensures that policy and program recommendations made by the Active Campbell River Committee are informed by low-income community members. This project connected the team with a new set of organizations to work with. Together they developed an action plan for 2009 to address the issues raised so far.
“Thank you for having this meeting. It would be nice to have meetings like this more often as the social interaction is great and I know being more active will help my depression and isolation.” Focus group participant
City of Kelowna
Kelowna’s “Everybody Gets to Play” network has existed informally for several years and includes a number of community service organizations. Through the Everybody Active grant, the member agencies participated in a strategic planning process to structure their relationship and formally commit to working together to remove barriers to participation. A vision and mission statement, values and guiding principles and a work plan for 2009 was developed.
Centre of Integration for African Immigrants - New Westminster
The CIAI conducted interviews with members of the African/ Caribbean/ Black community to discuss barriers to physical activity and potential program ideas. The results of these surveys were shared with community recreation providers in New Westminster and all parties expressed an interest in future collaboration.
“Feedback from those who did not feel comfortable using community centre services included issues such as unisex facilities, lack of money, lack of personal attention received and not enough information about programs.” CIAI Grant Summary Report
Powell River Model Community Project for People with Disabilities
The Model Community Project hosted a number of meetings and engaged a diverse group of stakeholders around access to physical activity in the Powell River area. The group committed immediately to creating an interagency referral system and to coordinate information on opportunities. Future plans include a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of and opportunities for physical activity, as well as an incentive program.
“This was a rewarding series of meetings which had several desirable outcomes. All representatives had great input and ideas.” Sarah Konstantonis, Model Community Project
Healing Our Spirit Society - Vancouver
The Healing Our Spirit Society met with other agencies in the Vancouver area that provide support and educational services for people living with HIV/AIDS to discuss opportunities for their clients to be more physically active. They agreed that partnerships need to be developed with other organizations, as well as promoting awareness among their clients about healthy living through one-on-one support.
