Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Fort St. James and various communities throughout B.C. have received funding to support the work they do to help eliminate racism.
Organizations, representing 24 communities participate in B.C.’s Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program will use the funding for initiatives that connect community networks in their common goal of eradicating racism and discrimination.
This includes local outreach programs in Fort St. James that offer education, workshops and community engagement for anyone in the community regardless of gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, disability or marital status.
Ann McCormick, regional supervisor at the College of New Caledonia says that this funding is a continuation of networking between various community groups.
“We will continue to network, to address issues and collectively work through any matters regarding racism with this funding,” McCormick said.
Fort St, James and other communities received $10,000 while others such as Comox Valley Community Justice Centre Network received $50,000 to provide training programs and workshops to communities and to mentor emerging OARH groups.
The Government of British Columbia has allocated the funding to help strengthen and celebrate the diversity within B.C.
Other communities benefitting from funding this year include: Smithers, Kamloops, Vanderhoof, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Revelstoke, Williams Lake, Powell River, Cranbrook, Fernie, Dawson Creek, Burns Lake, Prince George, Campbell River, Lower Sunshine Coast, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Duncan, Abbotsford and Langley.