Resilience and Safety Grants

Resilience and Safety Grant Recipients 2023:

North Island -  Increasing Youth Resilience

• Nawalakw - Nawalakw Language Camps - hi'ma̱nis ḵ̓aḵ̓ut̓ła̱'at̓si
• Lake Park Society - Land Care-Self Care Outdoor Camp

North Island - Improving Workplace Resilience and Individual Safety Related to the Toxic Drug Crisis

• Kyuquot Checleseht First Nation  - Culture as Medicine: Building a Strong Workplace Culture
• The Salvation Army Mt Waddington Community Ministries - Workplace Resilience and Support Project

North Island - Workplace Resilience and Support Project

• Comox Valley Art Gallery – Walk with Me - Strengthening Patient-Oriented Research Framework to Improve Services for People in the Trades Who Use Drugs: Story Walk featuring trades specific stories
• K’wak’walat’si Child and Family Services - Harm Reduction Station and Training

Central Island - Increasing Youth Resilience

• School District 79 (Cowichan Valley) - Well-being and Resilience in Youth
• ADAPS Youth and Family Services - Youth Peer Support Training
• Vancouver Island University – Child and Youth Care Program - Coming Alongside Caregivers
• School District 70 – Ucluelet Secondary School - USS Wellness Initiative – Wellness Wednesdays
• Port Alberni Friendship Centre - Ready Set Grow
• School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) – Nanaimo District Secondary School - Shxw’al’uq’wa’
• Red Girl Rising Movement Society - Team 700+ Indigenous Youth Boxing Camp
• Cowichan Valley Intercultural and Immigrant Aid Society - Leadership and Employment Preparation for Newcomer Youth

Central Island - Improving Workplace Resilience and Individual Safety Related to the Toxic Drug Crisis 

• Vancouver Island Regional Library - Brave Branches
• Cowichan Brain Injury Society - Men’s Shed
• Stephanie McCune Counselling and Consulting - In My Chair

South Island - Increasing Youth Resilience

• BGC South Vancouver Island  - Upstream Project
• Stqeeye’ Learning Society - Youth on the Land
• Galiano Health Care Society - Surviving to Thriving: An Initiative for Island Youth
• University of Victoria – Living Lab Project - Relational Restoration and Land-Based Healing: The Living Lab Indigenous Youth Wellness and Stewardship Project
• Greater Victoria Volunteer Society (Volunteer Victoria) - Eco-Anxious Stories and Action Steps
• University of Victoria – School of Public Health and Social Policy - Bringing the čupuc to Life
• School District 62 (Sooke) - In This Together: Peer Mentoring for Middle/Secondary School Youth
• West Shore Restorative Justice - Restorative Justice Coffee Talk

South Island - Improving Workplace Resilience and Individual Safety Related to the Toxic Drug Crisis 

• Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health - Workplace Engagement: Lunch and Learn Harm Reduction and Substance Use Education Targeted to the Trades, Hospitality and Sales industries
• District of Oak Bay Parks and Recreation Services - You See Everything

Regional - Improving Workplace Resilience and Individual Safety Related to the Toxic Drug Crisis 

• Good Night Out Vancouver, Victoria Office - Safer Partying Campaign for the Hospitality Industry
• University of Victoria - Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project - Drug Checking: A New Tool in the Toolbox

There are two areas of focus that applicants choose from for their applications:

Focus area one: Improving workplace resilience and individual safety related to the toxic drug crisis 

The toxic drug (overdose) crisis continues to escalate since identified as a public health emergency in 2016. BC continues to sustain terrible loss of life, and Vancouver Island is significantly impacted. Island Health and our partners provide life-saving supports to people who use drugs; however, we are not reaching everyone who is at risk. 

The people most impacted by the toxic drug crisis are men, Indigenous people, and those between the ages of 30-49.

Research suggests that people at risk work in the service, trades, resource, transport or hospitality industries. We need the community’s help to reach these people and keep them safe and connected to community, employment and life. 

Applicants from interested organizations, individuals, and companies submitted funding proposals for initiatives in the two focus areas outlined below:

Businesses leading the way to a strong and healthy workforce

Businesses know that a strong workforce is healthy and supported. There are ways employers can support their staff in staying healthy and reducing the harms of drug use. 

Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Start a workplace health and wellness program that encourages workers to engage in healthy lifestyle activities
• Become a champion employer for safer substance use. Many people use different substances for different reasons, and supporting workers to understand ways to reduce risk can build trust and keep people safe.
• Increase access to technologies and innovations aimed at reducing substance use risks and supporting connection to services
• Build resilient and supportive workplaces and keep workers engaged by providing access to programs and opportunities for healthy, supportive dialogue.
• Launch a communications campaign (posters, social media ads, etc.) to promote anti-stigma messaging and substance use awareness amongst your staff and customers;
• Provide naloxone and harm reduction training to staff.

New ways to reach those who use illicit drugs alone

In 2022, approximately 60 per cent of illicit drug toxicity deaths occurred inside a private residence with another approximately 20 per cent occurring in other types of residences such as supportive housing and hotels. Of those who died, almost three-quarters were between 30-59 years of age and more than 75 per cent were male. Creative and innovative strategies are required to reach people using substances alone in private residences. 

Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide holistic health and wellness programming aimed at social inclusion and peer to peer supports for men
• Provide access to drug checking technologies including fentanyl tests strips
• Establish confidential and discrete opportunities to reach people using substances at home alone
• Increase awareness and access to technologies aimed at reducing risks and supporting connection to services (i.e. Lifeguard Connect, Brave, He Changed It apps)

Inspiration

The following are examples of how citizens and businesses have led the way to destigmatize and create safety for people who use substances:

Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project 
EACH+EVERY 
he. - Men's Mental Health and Wellness App 
The Brave App
Lifeguard Digital Health Inc.
SMRT1 | Smart Vending Technology Solutions
National Sober Active Community | The Phoenix
The Tailgate Toolkit – You Deserve the Right Tools

Focus area two: Increasing youth resilience

The isolation and disconnection experienced during the pandemic, ecological grief from climate change, and the increasing use of online platforms all contribute to increasing rates of poor mental health among youth. Many youth can benefit from developing resilience in the context of a changing world.

The Youth Resilience Grants provide the opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, local government organizations, Indigenous communities, and for-profit businesses (in partnership with a non-profit), to apply for one-time funding to improve resilience among youth ages 13-19 who are in need of support.  

Connections to one or more stable or supportive adult

Initiatives focused on developing and supporting stable relationships between youth and caring adults could include, but are not limited to: 

• Skill building for parents, caregivers, mentors or coaches 
• Cultural activities that promote connection between Elders and youth
• Youth mentorship programs

Belonging to a family or community

A sense of belonging to a family or community (broadly defined) increases resilience by providing the acceptance and identity necessary for healthy development. A sense of belonging can also provide a critical social support network to help youth manage stressful situations. Initiatives that increase belonging among youth could include, but are not limited to: 

•    Facilitate youth-led advocacy initiatives (e.g. climate change or anti-racism projects) 
•    Facilitate participation in sports teams, drama productions, music, bands, and involvement with youth groups or other programs where caring and supportive friendships are fostered

Connection to culture

Values, practices and beliefs learned though culture can help youth overcome challenging situations. Connection to culture can also contribute to a sense of personal identity and belonging, and provide social connection to others who may be able to provide support in times of adversity. Initiatives aimed at improving youth connection to culture may include, but are not limited to: 

• Fine arts, language, traditional food acquisition and preparation 
• Intergenerational activities 
• Faith-based and spiritual activities 
• Activities that increase connection to land and water

Autonomy, competence and purpose

Autonomy, competence and purpose refers to youth increasing their ability to think and make decisions, display self-compassion and take meaningful action on their goals. Activities to increase youth’s sense of autonomy, competence and purpose could include, but are not limited to:

• Skills training such as first-aid or trades-related training that improves employability 
• Supports to assist with overcoming academic barriers 
• Group sessions that teach self-regulatory and other life-skills 
• Tangible and emotional support to enhance opportunities for youth to pursue a chosen passion
• Programs aimed at the development of self-compassion and mental health promotion 
• Youth volunteer opportunities 

Selection criteria

In addition to addressing the focus areas above, applicants incorporated the following principles or components:

• Youth-led initiatives
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (e.g. inclusive learning environments, cultural sensitivity, anti-racism, social justice)
• Rural and remote communities within Island Health
• Indigenous wellness or ways of knowing and being
• Health practices (e.g., sleep hygiene, access to nature, physical activity, healthy eating etc.)
• Health and/or mental health promotion 
• Harm reduction (e.g., safer sex supplies, peer education, social pressures, time away from technology, etc.)

Approved projects and initiatives will run from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, though the time frame for some projects may be shorter.