Each year, the City of Kamloops issues a call for proposals for registered charities and non-profit agencies in our community to apply for Social and Community Development Grants, which are intended to fund special projects, operational costs, and/or capital expenditures that address specific current social problems and/or issues related to the City’s Social Plan or the Livability and Sustainability pillar of the Council Strategic Plan.
YMCA BC - Kamloops Region received a $22,324 Social and Community Development Grant in 2024. This is how the grant was used:
Submitted by YMCA BC - Kamloops Region:
This funding supported the Violence Against Women Intervention & Support Services wellness program, Nurture by Nature, which is designed for local anti-violence workers at individual, organizational, and community levels.
At the individual level, two outdoor wellness sessions were offered to front-line workers. In these sessions, there was a combination of psychoeducation, nature-based connection, and connection with other community professionals. These sessions help reduce isolation and promote the idea that slowing down, taking breaks, and connecting with others are an essential part of wellness.
"Since going for the hike last fall, I have begun to incorporate that walk into my wellness plans, as I didn't know it was there. I reflect on what we discussed while there and I find it helps me find balance after a heavy work week." Family Support Worker at the Y Women's Emergency Shelter
At the organizational level, we conducted an assessment comparing current industry-specific best practices compiled from relevant literature. This created a space to celebrate the good work being done and provided some clear actionable steps to continue bolstering worker wellness through organizational practices.
"I found the brainstorm exercise to be a really impactful way of seeing how wellness is or can be imbedded in the work from with an organizational standpoint, that it really isn't only individual responsibility but also systemic." Anti-Violence Crisis Worker
At the community level, the outdoor sessions were open to front-line workers from any organization, which promoted and facilitated interagency connection. Additionally, the results from the organizational audit, including a template for other agencies to use, are available for those who would like to run a similar project at their organization.
This program provided an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the important work already being done while continuing to grow and refine this project and to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our staff teams. It has been helpful in addressing key insights from the previous outdoor wellness sessions, including concerns about finding a balance between individual and organizational responsibilities for well-being. Additionally, it helped navigate ongoing challenges, such as staffing shortages, unpredictable funding, and high caseloads, reinforcing the need for sustainable wellness strategies within our workplaces.
This project reaffirmed community interest in ongoing conversations about wellness and mitigating harm from anti-violence work as well as the desire for deeper connections with nature and colleagues from other agencies.
To learn more about this Social and Community Development Grant, visit Kamloops.ca/Grants. Review the full list of stories of how other groups used their Social and Community Development Grants.
