A West Vancouver non-profit is raising funds to help provide opportunities for urban Indigenous people to succeed.
On Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 3, the Urban Spirit Foundation is hosting a fundraiser event where people can enjoy chili and bannock along with sales of baked goods, raffle prizes and a 50/50 draw.
“Without fundraisers like this, it would be less money in the pot to be able to do the good work that we’re doing,” said Lynn White, executive director of the Urban Spirit Foundation.
White says urban Indigenous people are those who reside in cities, but also those who may not have status or are not connected to their First Nation.
The Urban Spirit Foundation is a charitable organization that provide opportunities for Indigenous people living in the city through education and employment training, secondary and post-secondary scholarships and relief of poverty.
The fundraiser began shortly after the foundation launched in 2007. Once the team heard about Giving Tuesday, White said they were inspired to use it as a charity fundraising event.
The Urban Spirit Foundation works in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), where White is also the CEO.
Some of the raffle prizes include Vancouver Canucks tickets and gift cards for Hype Chocolate and Indigenous owned cosmetic brand Cheekbone Beauty.
The money collected helps go back into the programs the foundation and ACCESS offer, White said.
Since its creation, the foundation has been able to provide scholarships to Indigenous people within the Vancouver and Surrey school districts, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and more.
“I really take pride in being able to give out some scholarships and support our people who are going back to school and trying to struggle their way out of poverty and into a career,” White said.
The two organizations also help provide employment opportunities, including the BladeRunners program, that helps give at-risk young people between ages 19 and 30 work experience, certified health and safety training and social skills development.
As the hours lead up to the fundraiser, the team is preparing the chili and bannock.
“We welcome anybody who would like to come by and support us and have some chili,” White said.
Urban Spirit Foundation fundraiser
Where: ACCESS head office, 108-100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
When: Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: $18
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. [email protected]
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