Big Brothers/Big Sisters will receive funding to keep it going for at least the next three months.
The organization has received confirmation of transition funding from Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, although it has received no documentation on the matter from the provincial government.
In January, Lorraine Levitt, BBBS executive director, raised the alarm that her organization would be without gaming funding — 40 per cent of its operating budget — between April and February 2011 due to gaming policy changes and the way application deadlines fell. At the time, the government insisted there was transition funding available but it was unclear to organizations how to access that money.
A recent provincial government release confirms that a community gaming grant fund totalling $334,736 will go to support 21 local human and social service community organizations in Williams Lake, as well as provide organizations with some transitional funding.
The funding, says the government, is in addition to other gaming grants organizations will receive in 2011/12.
“I’m pleased they are receiving funding to continue their work in our community,” Barnett said in a press release.
While Levitt is relieved, she remains uncertain of what will happen beyond the three months of funding as BBBS isn’t eligible to apply for a new grant until February of next year. She says Barnett has assured her there could be more than one round of transitional funding available to organizations. In the end, Levitt hopes the government alters the application dates.
“I’m hoping that we get some firm confirmation on how it’s going to work and if we’ll be receiving additional transitional funding up until we hear if our application is successful or not,” she says.
During her campaign for Liberal leadership, Christy Clark indicated she would, “reinstate funding the way it was,” says Levitt, adding the statement provides little clarity and leaves organizations to wonder whether the government will reinstate three-year terms, or fund sectors that were previously deemed ineligible for gaming grants.
The other Williams Lake organizations receiving some of the $334,736 include: Scouts Canada — Fifth Williams Lake ($750); the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Auxiliary ($2,000); the Navy League of Canada #202 — Chilcotin Branch ($2,406); the Williams Lake Lioness Club ($4,200); the Lions Club of Williams Lake ($4,250); Knights of Columbus #4785 ($5,000); Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club ($6,250); Central Cariboo Hospice Palliative Care Society ($6,250); Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee ($6,500); Shrine Club #26 — Cariboo ($7,250); Jubilee Care/Canadian Mental Health Association — Williams Lake Branch ($16,525); Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District ($28,000); Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre Association ($29,475); Central Cariboo Hospice Palliative Care Society (a second grant — $35,000); and the Cariboo Friendship Society ($60,450). Three 100 Mile House organizations also received funding.
Forty-two non-profit organizations in Williams Lake receive gaming grants totalling $1 million.