Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Funding anti-poverty initiatives in Canada is one of five priority areas for the PSAC’s Social Justice Fund. As part of this the SJF funds initiatives that support a closer collaboration between union members and low income groups in the community, particularly activities that are part of anti-poverty coalitions at the community level. These activities include the development of educational initiatives or advocacy work such as letter writing, postcard campaigns, marches, white-band days and other similar activities.

Here is a list of groups and activities in BC that received funding assistance from the PSAC Social Justice Fund.

BC Council for International Cooperation, Vancouver. Bridging the Poverty Gap: An awareness and advocacy campaign, mobilization, and city-wide march to mark the 2005 world summit at the UN. $2000. Visit their website.

Prince Rupert Unemployed Action Centre Society, Prince Rupert. An ongoing project to provide advocacy services to un(der)employed people the Prince Rupert community. $2500.

Social Planning Council, Victoria. The Waged Poor Project: Will raise public awareness about poverty through interactive theatre presentations. $2500. Visit their website.

Crabtree Corner Childcare Centre, Vancouver. In partnership with the YWCA, Crabtree Corner provides a healthy and secure environment for women and families on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. A $2500 grant will cover 500 visits to the centre by parents who can’t afford the $5/day child care fee. Visit Crabtree Corner’s website.

Bus Rider’s Union, Vancouver. Lower The Fare Now: a one year project to offer workshops and public meetings in various transit dependent community centres with the objective of winning lower transit fares and involving poor and marginalized people to take action for the elimination of poverty. $2500. Visit the BRU website.

Livable Income for Everyone, Victoria. Community Education to Make Poverty History: a four month project to develop and publish a brochure and other materials describing the livable income project and MPH campaign, mail the information to high schools, colleges, community organizations and labour unions in the greater Victoria area. $1150. Visit Livable Income for Everyone here.

Check Your Head: The Global Youth Education Network, Vancouver. Youth Speak Out: a one year project to facilitate and support 20-30 at risk and street-involved youth as project decision makers in the YSO coordinating committee, partner with community organizations that service at-risk and street-involved youth, develop and deliver street outreach training to form peer-to-peer outreach teams, and develop a pocket resource guide and community resource guide. $2000. Visit Check Your Head’s website.

Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Vancouver. Power of Women to Women: A one year project that plans to establish an advisory committee for support and guidance, delivery of workshops, facilitate support groups and complete a participatory action focused on social justice. $2500. Visit the DTES Women’s Centre here.