Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-006 - Healing of The Seven Generations Outreach Program - CDIP Grant Request ) R Community Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Community Services Committee Prepared By: January 07, 2008 Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services ext. 2687 Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services ext. 2687 All Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: January 3, 2008 CSD-08-006 THE HEALING OF THE SEVEN GENERATIONS OUTREACH PROGRAM - CDIP GRANT REQUEST RECOMMENDATION: That the City of Kitchener approves a one time grant allocation for The Healing of the Seven Generations Outreach Program, from the Community Development Infrastructure Program, for $15,000 for costs associated with strengthening the presence of the outreach program, to ensure that the needs of the Aboriginal community are being met. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener established the Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) in 1993 as part of, what was, the Community Economic Development Division. Allocations of up to $15,000 are available through this program on a one time basis to serve as seed money for community development projects. Projects are to be self-sustaining or completed at the exhaustion of the grant. Contributions and partnerships with other funders and agencies are encouraged. The objectives of CDIP, as defined in the Terms of Reference found in report PD 96/73, are: · To strengthen networks in neighbourhoods and thereby develop neighbourhood cohesion and stability, · To promote strong local leadership, voluntarism and partnerships in the social life of the community, and, · To supplement or reduce the need for capital expenditures by building upon existing community infrastructure resources. Neighbourhood Associations and communities of interest are eligible to apply for a CDIP grant. A community of interest is defined as a group of individuals who voluntarily associate with each Report No.CSD-08-006 Page 2 other because they have identified common concerns that have impact on a geographic area in the City of Kitchener. REPORT: The Healing of the Seven Generations is committed to working with survivors and intergenerational survivors of the Residential School Legacy. The group has been operating for over 2 V2 years and have recently moved to be closer to the Faculty of Social Work with whom an excellent relationship has been developed, given the presence of a new Aboriginal Social Work Program. The Healing of the Seven Generations is an active member of the Faculty of Social Work through guest lecturing and participation in various educational forums. History of the Seven Generations has been to work with all Aboriginal and community members in the area. All legacy survivors and intergenerational survivors are taught to use traditional healing approaches and practices such as prayer, ceremony, song, dance, drumming, dreams, fasting and medicines as tools in their healing. Participants are provided opportunities for learning about Aboriginal traditions, culture and spirituality. Public education about Residential School impacts on communities in this area, are made available to service providers to help them work more effectively with Aboriginal people. Also, active healing partnerships between individuals and agencies/organizations are coordinated and initiated for individuals that have been impacted. The purpose of the grant is to engage a process of community outreach and community development for Urban Aboriginal people living and working in Kitchener's downtown. There are hundreds of aboriginal people living in the downtown core of Kitchener and are in need of much help relative to accessing information on emergency housing, detox centres, diabetic counselling, seniors' services and referrals and advocacy for women who have children in care. The funds will be used to strengthen presence in downtown Kitchener. Healing of the Seven Generations is recognized as a leader in the Aboriginal community and has significant understanding to help First Nations people in a culturally-sensitive way, to ensure that their needs are being served adequately. They service Aboriginal men, women, youth and seniors through a variety of services including healing circles, cultural teachings, ceremonies, educational forums on health and parenting for young mothers. The proposal builds on the work that already has taken place in terms of evaluating the needs of aboriginal people in Kitchener. Very few Aboriginal-specific services exist to help aboriginal people; those agencies that do deliver services for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people are grossly underutilized by Aboriginal people given the fact that they do not feel safe or comfortable to participate, nor do they identify with mainstream organizations in Kitchener. According to the research, compiled in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, Aboriginal services are urgently needed in Kitchener. The budget below identifies specifically what the dollars will be used for. Report No.CSD-08-006 Page 3 The Healina of the Seven Generations Proposed Budaet for The City of Kitchener Office Rental Utilities Office Insurance Advertising / Promotion Administrative Costs Office Supplies Honorarium Community Transportation Client Program Supplies $3,000 $7,200 $1 ,000 $2,000 $1 ,000 $2,000 $3,000 $1 ,000 $3,800 Total Budget $24,000 Although the grant guidelines suggest that the maximum amount of funding for one group out of CDIP is $15,000, there is capacity to fund the full amount of $24,000 since there is currently $53,000 in the budget. If the $24,000 request was granted, $19,000 would remain to be used for the remainder of 2008. In the past, Healing of the Seven Generations has been financed by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to service 15 survivors and intergenerational survivors of the Residential School System. However, they work with close to 300 families on a monthly basis, most of who live in Kitchener, and they continue to search for core funding in order to help cover costs associated with servicing these families. If unsuccessful in receiving CDIP funding, capacity to provide the necessary outreach to the City's Aboriginal community will be severely limited. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Allocations of up to $15,000 are available through the CDIP program on a one time basis to serve as seed money for community development projects. Healing of the Seven Generations are requesting $24,000 to cover costs associated with providing outreach to Aboriginal people within the City of Kitchener. Currently there is approximately $53,000 in the CDIP grant budget. Mark Hildebrand Interim Director, Community Programs and Services