The Sidney-based Lobstick Foundation, dedicated to helping girls and women reach their life goals, is seeking grant applications from organizations and individuals.
Lobstick is looking to assist individuals and organizations across B.C. and Canada that help girls and women with life skills, professional development or education. The group hopes to distribute a total of $250,000 to help women and girls fulfil their ambitions.
For example, they can be fleeing abusive relationships, new arrivals to Canada needing assistance with language or looking for help with school. Also, this year for the first time, Lobstick is assisting girls and young women with bursaries to pursue post-secondary education.
Applications will be selected based on need and motivation. Deadlines are April 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15.
Lobstick was founded in 2012 by Margaret Nix and Marygold Nash, both retired psychology professors who wanted to leave their estates in a foundation to assist girls and women.
The name was chosen in reference to the lobstick or lopstick, a tall conspicuous spruce or pine with all but the top branches removed. Indigenous people and fur traders would create them as talismans or directional signposts.
To apply for grants or learn more, go to lobstickfoundation.org.
Donated van helps Our Place
Folks at Our Place and its New Roads Therapeutic Recovery are enjoying transport in a donated, 22-seat passsenger van, courtesy of local generosity.
Our Place spokesman Grant McKenzie said one of the van’s first uses was to transport men residing at New Roads, at 94 Talcott Rd., to a sweat lodge for First-Nations-style healing.
McKenzie said the van will also be put to good use transporting seniors from Our Place at 919 Pandora Ave. to appointments or even small-group outings.
The vehicle was made possible by a $30,000 grant from Peninsula Co-op, two private donors, a deal arranged by Suburban Motors and a discount from The Sign Pad for the funky new wrap around the vehicle.
Artists invited to enter city contest
The City of Victoria is calling all artists to consider entering two public art competitions worth $500 to $2,500.
Submissions are now being accepted for the eighth annual Commercial Alley Outdoor Art Gallery installation. Located between the 500 block of Yates Street and Bastion Square, the installation will enhance the vitality of the small street while keeping it open for business. The winner receives $2,500.
The proposed artwork will be a series of four panels measuring 1.2 by 2.4 metres. The panels will be installed by the city and on display from August for a year.
The other public art installation is called Commute. Now in its third year, it will feature selected images to be displayed on six Victoria bus shelters from June to December.
The images can be any type of visual art, from paintings to textiles or pottery. Submissions are encouraged from artists, craftspeople and artisans.
Artists can submit up to five pieces for consideration, with winners taking home $500 for each selected image.
The deadline for submissions is April 6 for Commute and April 14 for the Commercial Alley Outdoor Art Gallery. For information go online to victoria.ca/publicart.
Women In Need of donations
Women In Need or WIN is greatly in need itself of donations of gently used clothing for all genders so it can succeed in its mission to assist women starting over.
Mabel Marin, spokeswoman for WIN Co-op, blames the ongoing cool weather: Instead of turning to spring and summer fashions, people are clinging to their woollies and not donating them.
“People haven’t cleared out their closets yet,” said Marin. “This year, it’s been so cold people are delaying.”
The agency will hold a special clothing-donation event on March 21 to replenish its stocks. Special treats, such as popcorn, will be on hand.
Women In Need began in 1991 in Victoria as a resource for women in crisis leaving abusive relationships, providing new outfits so they could successfully re-enter the job market.
WIN now operates five resale stores. Depending on the store outlet, it sells everything from clothes to utensils to furniture. WIN also offers five different assistance programs for women, and last year alone assisted more than 1,200.
The clothing donation drive is set for Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at WIN’s donation centre at 555 Ardersier Rd.
Threshold Housing marks 30 years
The Threshold Housing Society is celebrating 30 years of assisting at-risk young people in Victoria reach successful adulthood.
Threshold spokeswoman Jasmine Campbell said the proof of success for the group is the hundreds of adults now enjoying careers, families and other elements of sustainable lives after being assisted during their youth.
Campbell says Threshold assists young people, ages 16 to 24, with housing and other supports. They may be fleeing an abusive environment, turning 19 and no longer qualified for foster help or just living homeless, couch surfing or staying with relatives.
“Our aim is to help young people make the transition to sustainable adult lives rather than homelessness,” she said. “We want to see them live full and vibrant lives in the community.”
The group operates spaces for 35 in the Capital Regional District: group homes for five to eight people, three in Victoria, one in Oak Bay and 10 individual apartments.
Adult supervision and support is available during the day for assistance. Skills training, direction and education support are also made available.
Campbell said Threshold has a long and growing wait list. To learn more, including how to help or donate to Threshold Housing Society, go to thresholdhousing.ca.
Nature Museum seeks nominees for awards
The Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa is seeking innovative community leaders who have helped connect their neighbours with nature or undertaken projects aimed at improving sustainability.
Winners of the 2020 Nature Inspiration Award receive $5,000 to pay forward to a nature-related cause or group.
Nominations can be direct applications or from a third party. Brief essays and supporting documents, videos, photos or articles should demonstrate leadership, innovation and accomplishments for projects that encourage sustainable interaction with nature.
Also, nominations should speak of specific projects or accomplishments of innovation and leadership, rather than simply listing an organization’s mandate or an individual’s list of qualifications.
The awards have six categories: youth (17 and younger), adults (18 and up), small to medium not-for-profits, large not-for-profits, small to medium businesses and large businesses.
The deadline for the awards is May 19. A gala will be held at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa Nov. 25.
To learn more, including how to nominate or support a nomination, go to nature.ca and click on Nature Inspiration Awards 2020.
Drycleaner wins award for newcomer integration
White Hat Drycleaners and Commercial Laundry in Campbell River has been awarded for its efforts to help newcomers integrate into Canada.
On Thursday in Ottawa, Marco E.L. Mendicino, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada presented Aiguo Zhang, owner of White Hat, with the Employer Awards for Newcomer Employment. Three other businesses across Canada were also awarded.
Each year, the ministry recognizes businesses across Canada for helping newcomers join the labour market. Seven of the 10 employees at White Hat are newcomers to Canada.
Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island and Powell River, said she worked at an immigrant welcome centre with Zhang.
“Supports and integration into the workforce are so important,” said Blaney.
“Aiguo has shown that even a small business operating in a small community can have an important impact.”
