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The Delta Community Foundation at work

Events, news releases and headlines involving the Delta Community Foundation.

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Autism early intervention therapy for children supported through pandemic emergency funding

Children and youth with special needs and their families have received support from Reach Child and Youth Development Society (REACH) for more than 60 years in Delta, Surrey and Langley. Every year Reach provides support for 1,200 children from birth to nineteen years of age with Autism, and developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioural and mental health challenges. The family-centered, individualized, and responsive approach means that families experience success
and each child is given the opportunity to reach their potential. With emergency funding of $25,805 from the Delta Foundation, the “Virtual Autism Early Intervention Therapies Program” is ensuring REACH can provide online autism-related sessions so that children continue to receive the support programs and services that they need to reach their potential. The program also sees that families are supported with the tools, materials, equipment and guidance necessary to support their child’s continued development from home where in-person services are not feasible.

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Little sisters have a study buddy with a big sister thanks to pandemic emergency funding

Every day, youth in our community face challenges like bullying, isolation, poverty, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and more. Big Sisters caseworkers carefully match Little Sisters with female adult mentors who help them overcome adversities, make healthy choices, and ultimately reach their full potential. The aim is to enable life-changing mentoring relationships and ignite the power and potential of young people. “Study Buddy” is one of three, no-cost tutoring and mentoring programs of Big Sisters. It is a weekly one-to-one mentoring relationship that focuses on school work for at risk girls aged 7 to 17 years from low income families, through one hour sessions outside of school time to work on school subjects and study skills. The program is continuing to provide this valued service with $ $5,055 in emergency funding from the Delta Foundation.

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Low income mothers supported through pandemic emergency funding

Think selflessly like a mother. She wants to help not just her own family, but all those on low income trying to keep up with food, hygiene, housing and other essentials for their families. That’s been particularly tough during economic downturn and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Respond Like a Mother” is a program to help all those moms and their families who need a hand up, brought to Delta by Mamas for Mamas of Metro Vancouver. The Delta Foundation has provided $30,000 to Mamas for Mamas to support that program.

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Women and children escaping domestic violence supported through pandemic emergency funding

W I N G S Fellowship Ministries provides women and children in need, the opportunity to gain strength and live according to their worth. For women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, WINGS provides safe, warm, friendly, caring environments through housing and support services. The charity allows its clients to work through various stages of well-being, from crisis to long-term stability by providing a full range of support services. It provides a safe and supportive environment so that clients have the opportunity to hear about and understand their unique value and worth and begin to experience the potential this can mean in their lives. During the “COVID-19 Mental Health and Well Being Project” WINGS is providing clients assistance with the self help tools to support mental well being and a way to reduce their contact with other people with help from the Delta Foundation, which has provided the charity with $18,000 in emergency funding.

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Adults with mental illness trying to find a job and some stability supported through pandemic emergency funding

For people living with mental illness and with low income, sometimes poverty, Options Community Services help them help themselves and, in turn, promotes safe, healthy, vibrant communities. At the Delta clubhouse, Options provides psychosocial rehabilitation programs related to employment, leisure, basic living skills and wellness. It focuses on participants’ strengths and emphasizes a person’s potential for recovery — recovery as a personal journey rather than a set outcome, developing hope, a secure base and sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, coping skills and meaning. The “Ready to Work (R2W)” project aims to reduce barriers in finding employment post-COVID-19 for those of age 19 years and older by increasing employability among clients experiencing mental illness. Delta Foundation has provided $8,000 in emergency funding to the Options Ready to Work project.

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Homeless benefit from COVID-19 emergency fund

Homeless people in the community needing a little extra during the coming months ahead and into the Fall will receive gift cards, food and help if they come to the door of the Ladner United Church and Delta’s Emergency Response Shelter with the help of a $1,000 Covid19 Relief Grant from the Delta Foundation, Delta’s community foundation.

Grant, Supporters

Food Bank support from the O’Keeffe family

The O’Keeffe Family Fund and Sandra O’Keeffe have donated $2,508 to the South Delta Food Bank through the Delta Foundation. The Food Bank, which has experienced increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of five causes supported by the O’Keeffe family.

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South Delta Food Bank receives support in hard times

South Delta Food Bank helps provide supplemental support in the way of groceries to 80 individuals and families dealing with short or long term poverty. It has experienced increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Bank has received $2,000 from the Delta Foundation to help continue supporting those in our community who need food for themselves and their families.

Grant, Neighbourhood Small Grant

Small grants for neighourhoods … at a social distance

Last year Delta Foundation offered funding support up to $500 to groups of Delta residents to get together for shared projects or just to socialize near their homes with the Neighbourhood Small Grants. With matching funds from the Vancouver Foundation and administrative support of the City of Delta the program funded 17 projects over the summer months. This year, given social distancing and other measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, a similar program is now offered to residents throughout Delta as the “Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants (R-NSG)” program. As before, this new grant stream will support small scale community projects to build community strength and resilience, foster community creativity and wellbeing, and tackle social isolation. This year, however, the program will follow new social/physical distancing guidelines.