The Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) has announced a total of 20 projects that have been funded through the Spring Neighborhood Small Grants (NSG) program.
“The NSG program is based on a simple but powerful idea – when people feel a sense of connection and belonging in their neighbourhood, they are more likely to be engaged in activities that make it a better place to live,” reads a CVCF press release.
Spring 2021 marked the second time the NSG program has been offered in the Comox Valley and the community response was outstanding.
“We were completely blown away by the number of applications and the creativity of the projects, all of which demonstrate the program’s guiding principle of strengthening the social fabric of our community through active engagement,” said Matt Beckett, CVCF’s president. “It was also great to see so many new project leaders submitting applications. Of the 20 approved applications, only one project leader had received a grant before.”
Many of the approved projects will take place outdoors, including the planting of pollinator plants in Cumberland and Comox, the creation of a community seed library in Cumberland and the establishment of a community cupboard for fruit and flowers in Courtenay. Several of the projects will be delivered online, including expressive arts, online engagement tools for seniors and a movement sequence.
The following is a detailed list of the recipients:
Spring 2021 Neighbourhood Small Grants Approved Projects – Comox Valley
Project Name | Description | Community |
Salute To The Sun | An online movement sequence class. | Black Creek |
Alley Way- Pollinator Pathway | Creation of a network of pollinator habitats in Cumberland through removal of invasive species and planting native pollinator plants. | Cumberland |
Church Street Urban Pantry Weather Shelter | Building a shelter for the Church St. Urban Pantry to allow the community pantry to be accessible for more months of the year | Comox |
Community Compassion Connection | Engaging students to create cards and art for long term care residents | Comox |
Invasive Ivy Pulling in Town of Comox “The Ivy League Pullers” | Planning for fall Ivy Pulling events | Comox |
I AM RESILIENT. | Gratitude journals for resilience for local youth | Comox |
Little Acre Alley - Pollinator Pathway | Creation of a network of pollinator habitats in Cumberland through removal of invasive species and planting native pollinator plants. | Cumberland |
Cumberland Community Pollinator Pathway Project | Creation of a network of pollinator habitats in Cumberland through planting native pollinator plants | Cumberland |
Camp Rd Pollinator Project | Creation a network of pollinator habitats in Cumberland through planting native pollinator plants | Cumberland |
Chicken TV | Creation of a public viewing window for neighbours to watch chickens as they way by | Cumberland |
Community Snack and Bouquet Garden | Creation of a community cupboard for sharing of snacks and flower bouquet | Courtenay |
Connection Through the Expressive Arts - “Sharing, Creating, Meditation, Grounding” | An online expressive arts workshop where participants will have the opportunity to do guided meditation, light movement, create art, do writing and share with others their experiences over the last year. | Cumberland |
Butterfly Way Pollinator Project | Creating pollinator habitats in Comox through planting native pollinator plants and providing education | Comox |
Dance Video Project | Bringing isolated dancers together, participants perform a section of a dance in their own home or outdoor space, the clips will be edited together for create one performance | Cumberland |
Neighbourhood Care Package | Care packages to help neighbours connect without meeting in person. Care pack items are purchased from local businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic | Cumberland |
The Burrow Community Homestead - free shelf and seed library | Creation of a seed library for neighbours to encourage neighbours to grow food | Cumberland |
Online Engagement Tools | An online workshop to help seniors become familiar with online games and activities | Comox |
The flowerman | Community connection event | Comox Valley |
Steam Engine Community Garden | Creation of a community garden | Cumberland |
Grow my goodness! | Community garden and educational videos | Courtenay |
For further information, or to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact, please visit www.cvcfoundation.org or call 250-338-8444.
ALSO: CVCF distributes more than $134K in COVID-19 emergency grants