Langley, B.C. The First West Foundation, the private, charitable arm of First West Credit Union, today announced that it will donate over $300,000 in 2013 to charitable organizations in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Kitimat, and the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys.
The First West Foundation helps improve the quality of life for British Columbians in the communities served by First West Credit Union and its regional brandsEnvision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financialproudly contributing more than $2.4 million to charities� since 1998. Endowments held by the Foundation include the:
- Envision Financial Community Endowment, supporting charities in the communities served by Envision Financial
- Valley First Community Endowment, supporting charities in the communities served by Valley First
- Enderby Financial Community Endowment, supporting charities in the communities served by Enderby & District Financial
- Envision-Region Employees Endowment, supporting charities identified by Envision Financial employees
- Peter Podovinikoff Scholarship Endowment, generating scholarships for students demonstrating extensive community commitment.
- Gord and Enrica Huston Endowment, supporting programs aimed at eradicating breast cancer.
- Frank Jamieson Memorial Endowment, providing an annual bursary to a deserving high school student in Chilliwack.
- Ben H. Voth Legacy Endowment, generating annual scholarships for students studying in the construction industry.
Envision Financial Community Endowmentimproving lives in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Kitimat
In 2013, grants in the Envision region from the Envision Financial Community Endowment will be used to support numerous programs in the area of "children, families and youth at risk" such as development of social and recreational programs for youth. Additionally, recognizing the opportunity to strengthen work being done in the social services sector, grants will be provided to support organizational development initiatives such as leadership training and workshops to help improve the skills and abilities of staff or volunteers.
"We are very grateful for the generous support of the Envision Financial Community Endowment this past year," says Diane Sowden, executive director and co-founder of Children of the Street Society.�"This funding will have a direct and significant impact on our ability to train workshop facilitators so that they can effectively engage thousands of youth throughout the province of BC about the issue of sexual exploitation while empowering them with knowledge, tools and critical thinking skills to keep themselves and their peers safe."
Valley First Community Endowmentimproving lives in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys
This year the Valley First Community Endowments focus will be on supporting children, families, youth and seniors at risk of hunger. Grants will be provided to support organizations that run food-related programs such as community kitchens or childrens breakfast and lunch programs. These grants complement work being done through Valley Firsts signature cause: Feed the Valley, a unique community partnership dedicated to a simple goal of tackling hunger by raising food, funds and awareness for local food banks.
"We were very excited and grateful when we were approved for funding last year," says Mike Gawliuk, director of service delivery and program innovation for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Kelowna. "With the grant from the Valley First endowment we have been able to deliver a new nutritional life skills program to help build our clients skills, knowledge and connections related to food and food security. In short, it has made a significant difference in the lives of our clients."
Expanding the Foundations Reach
With the recent establishment of a $500,000 endowment from Enderby & District Financial, the First West Foundation will be expanding its reach to communities in the North Okanagan. The Enderby Financial Community Endowment will generate funding for community projects starting in 2014.
For information on applying for funding, visit firstwestfoundation.ca.
About The First West Foundation
The First West Foundation cares about the well-being of the communities served by First West Credit Union and its regional divisions, Envision Financial, Valley First, and Enderby & District Financial. The Foundation uses income generated from its endowments to help improve the quality of life for British Columbians in these communities. Since its inception in 1996, the First West Foundation has donated over $2.4 million in grants to local community groups and projects. The Foundation grows its endowments through charitable gifts and bequests. For more information, visit firstwestfoundation.ca.
About First West Credit Union
First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. Led by Launi Skinner, First West is British Columbias third-largest credit union with $7.1 billion in assets under administration, more than 171,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. It operates 40 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. For more information on First West Credit Union, visit firstwestcu.ca.
