funding

RJDS hosts leaders

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier David Eby interact with kids at Richmond Jewish Day School on Dec. 2. (photo from Province of BC)

On Dec. 2, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould were joined by B.C. Premier David Eby, B.C. Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen and Musqueam Indian Band Chief Wayne Sparrow at Richmond Jewish Day School to highlight federal and provincial efforts to make childcare more affordable.

RJDS established its Early Learning Centre this past September, with Sara Solomon as director. (See jewishindependent.ca/rjdss-new-early-ed-program.) It offers two preschool programs, one for infants and toddlers (0-3 years old) and one for children ages 3-5.

Reut Dahan, a parent at RJDS, commented on the government’s reduction of childcare fees, calling it “life-changing.”

“Thanks to this amazing program being implemented, our costs are now reduced by over $1,000 a month, allowing both of us to work full time and easing some of our financial stress,” said Dahan, who has three kids – a toddler, a preschooler and a school-aged child.

Among those from the Jewish community who attended the Dec. 2 event were Ezra Shanken, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver chief executive officer; Geoffrey Druker, chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Local Partnership Council; Michael Lipton, RJDS board chair; Shannon Gorski, a board member of both Federation and Jewish Family Services; and Federation marketing and communications manager Sara Bandel. In his weekly email message, Shanken thanked RJDS principal Sabrina Bhojani and Lipton for making RJDS’s Early Learning Centre a reality.

– Courtesy Richmond Jewish Day School, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and Province of British Columbia

JCC receives $25M support

Minister and MP Harjit Sajjan speaks at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver on Dec. 5, while Jewish Federation chief executive officer Ezra Shanken looks on. (photo from Jewish Federation)

On Dec. 5, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) announced that it has received $25 million in support from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage. The funding will be used for the redevelopment of the 3.3-acre property at West 41st and Oak Street. It will support the transformation of the JCC into a state-of-the-art multigenerational community hub in the Oakridge area with more childcare spaces, expanded seniors programs, arts and cultural spaces, and an expanded Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre.

“The Government of Canada stands with Jewish communities across Canada and around the world. Today’s investment is part of our commitment to an inclusive Canada that is strong and proud of its diversity. Supporting cultural facilities is essential, not only to retain their viability today, but to help them flourish for generations to come,” said Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez.

“The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver is now another step closer to building a larger community hub where Vancouverites of all backgrounds can connect through shared experiences, while allowing the centre to continue providing services and supports that enrich quality of life in our city,” said Harjit Sajjan, minister of international development, minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada and member of Parliament (Vancouver South).

photo - Minister and MP Harjit Sajjan took some time out to meet some of the kids at the centre; MP Taleeb Noormohamed is standing to the minister’s right — Minister and MP Harjit Sajjan took some time out to meet some of the kids at the centre; MP Taleeb Noormohamed is standing to the minister’s right. *(photo from Jewish Federation)*

The redevelopment of the JCC is the cornerstone of the overall site redevelopment plan, which will also provide permanent homes for more than 20 not-for-profit community organizations and two residential towers that will provide mixed-use rental housing, some to be at below-market rates.

The JCC, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and King David High School have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see them work together to fulfil a shared vision rooted in extensive community and public consultation.

“The funding from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage contributes the resources necessary to support and sustain the Jewish community in Vancouver,” said Eldad Goldfarb, executive director of the JCC.

“The new space is poised to be a connection point that people of all ages and from all walks of life can enjoy for generations to come, and the legacy of this redevelopment will last a lifetime,” he added.

“This announcement is the result of efforts that spanned many years,” said Ezra Shanken, Jewish Federation chief executive officer. “We want to thank the Government of Canada and our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, for their work on this.”

Monday’s announcement builds on the $25 million funding provided in 2021 by the B.C. government and a $25 million gift and community match from the Diamond Foundation.

– Courtesy Government of Canada and
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver

Funding for new equipment

Left to right are Louis Brier Home and Hospital staff Jennifer Belen, Nicole Encarnacion, Carol Bucknor, David Keselman (chief executive officer) and Rozanne Kipnes with MLA George Heyman and Louis Brier resident Roberta Gilmore (holding the cheque). (photo from Louis Brier)

Louis Brier Home and Hospital is one of 88 care homes across British Columbia to receive funding to purchase new safety equipment, as part of the Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program (or SSQIP, pronounced “SKWIP”) initiative. The Brier will receive $60,576 of the total $2.6 million in provincial funding allocated.

SSQIP is managed by B.C. Care Providers Association (BCCPA), who process applications from all residential care homes that receive public funding for new equipment intended to improve safety and quality of life for residents. Oversight of SSQIP is provided by representatives from the Ministry of Health, BCCPA, Denominational Health Association and SafeCare BC. Approved applicants may receive up to $500 for each publicly funded resident.

“Our government is proud to invest in thisprogram, which will go towards purchasing new beds to help improve safety andquality of life for those living in residential care homes,” said GeorgeHeyman, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, who presented the cheque at the Brier onDec. 6. “It’s great to see that Louis Brier Home and Hospital and seniors inVancouver will benefit from new equipment.”In addition to beds and mattress purchases,care homes are investing in new shower chairs, tubs, mobility equipment (suchas floor and ceiling lifts), lighting and visual aids, sensory rooms, musictherapy and ergonomic furniture. Preventative and urgent response systems arealso funded to promote both resident and employee safety.For more information, visitbccare.ca/programs/ssqip.