Powell River-based Lift Community Services of qathet is one of seven new coastal community organizations offering Resilience BC services.
Organizations chosen demonstrated a strong understanding of racism and hate issues and have a defined course of action at a local or regional level driven by community partnerships, according to a media release from BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The seven organizations are receiving a total of $52,500.
"There is no place for racism and hate in British Columbia. To fight racism and hate crimes, we must work together in a coordinated way in communities in every corner of the province," stated Anne Kang, provincial minister of citizens' services and responsible for multiculturalism. "These community organizations will lead action at a local and regional level to respond to and prevent racist and hate activity."
Launched in November 2019, Resilience BC is a province-wide anti-racism network delivered through a hub-and-spokes model, according to the release. The spokes are community-based branches that identify local priorities and move projects forward to address systemic and institutionalized racism at a local level.
"People in BC deserve to feel safe and supported in the communities they call home," stated Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard. "We're taking action to address these issues by empowering local organizations to stop racism and hate in its tracks."
A total of $300,000 from the Resilience BC annual budget has been allocated to fund the community spoke services. There are two funding models:
Individual community spokes: annual funding of up to $7,500 per geographic community; and regional spokes: annual funding for two or more of neighbouring communities that pool funding. Total investment in Resilience BC is $540,000 annually.
The province launched an online portal at hatecrimesinbc.resiliencebcnetwork.ca to support people who experience or witness a racist incident.
