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Two Prince George societies chosen as beneficiaries of provincial Community Counselling grants

Almost 30 societies are receiving grants
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
image (3)
Central Interior Native Health Society and Carrier Sekani Family Services are both located off Fourth Avenue in Prince George (via Kyle Balzer)

Two Prince George societies will be able to provide more mental health and addictions services thanks to community counselling grants.

Judy Darcy, B.C.'s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, announced yesterday (Nov. 4) 29 community organizations across the province have been given funding to help with numerous related services. 

Carrier Sekani Family Services and Central Interior Native Health Society are the two recipients in Prince George from the Community Action Initiative.

“For far too long, counselling was out of reach for many British Columbians,” Darcy said in a news release.

“Today, we are saying loud and clear that the ability to get help should not depend on the size of your bank account or where you live in the province. This new, multi-year funding is a significant step toward a system of care that helps British Columbians get help when and where they need it.”

Successful grant recipients can be awarded up to $120,000 in annual funding which will then be distributed over three years. 

The funds are to be used to: 

  • Increase access to community-based counselling for improved mental health and substance use outcomes
  • Increase the quality of community-based counselling through the provision of necessary infrastructure to support non-profit, grassroots and/or volunteer-run programs

Applications that were focused mainly on reaching individuals or families that are not likely to engage in mainstream services or who would not typically have access to counselling opportunities were prioritized. 

The full list of communities are: 

  1. Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC
  2. Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre Society
  3. Carrier Sekani Family Services
  4. Central Interior Native Health Society
  5. Cha Chim Hii Yup Tiic Mis Ahousaht Health Centre
  6. Circle of Indigenous Nations Society
  7. DIVERSECity Community Resources Society
  8. Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Society
  9. Fraser House Society
  10. Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society
  11. Independent Living Vernon Society
  12. Isthar Women’s Resource Society
  13. Jewish Family Services
  14. Kamloops Family Resources Society (Family Tree Family Centre)
  15. Kinghaven Peardonville House Society
  16. Lillooet Friendship Centre Society
  17. Métis Community Services Society of BC
  18. Moving Forward Family Services Society
  19. Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia
  20. PACE Society
  21. Peers Victoria Resources Society
  22. Quesnel Women’s Resource Centre
  23. RainCity Housing and Support Society
  24. Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society
  25. Turning Point Recovery Society
  26. Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture
  27. Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR)
  28. Watari Counselling and Support Services
  29. Yale First Nation

“There is remarkable healing work taking place within the community-based mental health and substance use sector. We’ve heard countless stories about the need for greater access to high-quality, culturally appropriate counselling services," Melinda Markey, Secretariat Director of Community Action Initiative said in the release. 

"These grants offer a much-needed boost to programs that build community mental health and wellness by offering accessible entry points to services that foster trust, diversity and inclusion.”