11 Local Governments Receive Funding for Improving Social Connectedness in their Communities and Regions

VICTORIA | The PlanH program has announced the 11 BC communities that will receive support for creating stronger social environments and resilient neighbourhoods.

Selected communities will receive $170,000 in grants and additional in-kind coaching support from the Healthy Communities Capacity Building Fund (HCCBF) for initiatives taking place in 2017 and 2018. The fund provides two streams of support for communities working with other partners to take action on improving social connectedness.

  • Cultivating Connections: Community or regional programs
  • Resilient Streets: Residential street or building-level programs

Participating Local Governments & Projects

The following local governments and project proposals will receive support.

  1. City of Surrey – Cultivating Connections: Connected Clayton Family Project
  2. City of New Westminster – Cultivating Connections: Your New West; Facilitating Connections for Newcomers
  3. Okanagan Indian Band – Cultivating Connections: Sharing One Skin; Social Connectedness with Sylix-Okanagan Culture and Land
  4. City of Nanaimo – Cultivating Connections: Come to the Table; Strengthening Neighbourhood Connections;
  5. District of Tofino – Cultivating Connections: West Coast Community Connections
  6. Dease River First Nation – Cultivating Connections: Gathering Elders / Gathering Wisdom
  7. City of Vancouver – Cultivating Connections: Hey Neighbour; A Community Concierge Pilot
  8. City of Powell River – Adapting Resilient Streets program
  9. City of Richmond – Adapting Resilient Streets program
  10. Resort Municipality of Whistler – Adapting Resilient Streets program
  11. Sunshine Coast Regional District – Adapting Resilient Streets program

Socially connected communities support strong citizen engagement and enhance the health and well-being of residents. Local governments can play a role in improving social connectedness and helping communities thrive by creating strong social environments and resilient neighbourhoods.

“Research has revealed the importance of connecting with others in our communities as a key aspect of our overall health and wellbeing. The environments in which we live, work and have fun can play an important role in fostering social connectedness,” says PlanH Program Manager, Victoria Barr. “We look forward to working with local governments and their community partners to strengthen social connectedness for all residents in their communities.”

The HCCBF is delivered through the PlanH program. PlanH, implemented by BC Healthy Communities Society, facilitates local government learning, partnership development and planning for healthier communities where we live, learn, work and play. Working together with health authorities, UBCM and the Ministry of Health, PlanH supports the Province’s health promotion strategy.

More Information

To find out more about the current HCCBF visit: www.planh.ca/roundfour.
Follow community progress on Twitter: at @BC_HC, #BCHC_Connected.

Contact
BC Healthy Communities Society
T: 250.589.0223 | E: grants@planh.ca

Download the news release here.

Share this article:

Subscribe to our newsletter