By Chantel Spade, Project Manager
Recently, CAI had the opportunity to visit two grantees for a unique new grant program that supports organizations to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use.
Funded by the Vancouver Foundation and the Ministry of Health, 17 community-based organizations across B.C. were selected to receive funding through the Lived and Living Experience Employment Grant, which provides employment as part of someone’s health journey.
A Better Life Foundation, which is located in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood of Vancouver at the Save on Meats building, leads several initiatives to help eliminate food insecurity and advance community well-being. Through the grant, a Token Window Program Manager was hired to oversee the street-facing, low-barrier meal service.
CAI was greeted by the Program Manager and Chef and introduced to the Token Window Manager, who provided a tour of the facility, the operations, and his involvement. He went over the previous night’s Plenty of Plates menu, a program that welcomes residents from the DTES for community dinners. His role had recently expanded to host these gatherings.
It was an honor to meet the new hire, who was very open in sharing his recovery journey and how this role has given him purpose and “saved his life.” It was equally expressed by the organization that he had become a core member of the team, and his lived experience was paramount to building connections with the local community and employees of the program.
The Alberni Valley Hospice Society, located on Vancouver Island, provides compassionate, inclusive and holistic end-of-life and grief support. Through the grant, a Grief and Bereavement Counsellor was hired to facilitate one-on-one and group grief support in community-based, low-barrier settings.
CAI was welcomed at the Ty Watson House by the Executive Director and the Grief and Bereavement Counsellor. They provided a tour of the beautiful century-old house and grounds, with dedicated spots for gathering and memorialization.
They expressed a clear need for grief support for those who have lost loved ones due to drug deaths. The new hire discussed how her position allowed her to build a rapport and reach underserved populations in the community. Session numbers were growing, and referrals were increasing since she was onboarded.
CAI was also introduced to folks at the Bread of Life Centre, one of the community-based settings where grief support will be offered. Later that day, at the Port Alberni International Overdose Awareness Day event, we were connected to several members of the community, including the Port Alberni Community Action Team, an important partner in facilitating connections for those in need of grief support.
These visits highlighted the transformative impact of the grant in creating meaningful employment, purpose, strengthening community connections, and ensuring that lived experience is valued as a vital asset in supporting others to recover and heal as a part of their health journey.