Announcing the 2023 CCFA Charity Fund Recipients

Once again, our members have nominated some amazing charitable organizations and causes to receive this year’s annual donations. It is never an easy decision deciding how to split such a small sum among so many in need. Again, it is my humble privilege to inform our members which charities your Exec selected from the applications we received. We can’t fund everything, and at the end of this post, you’ll see a list of causes you may want to support on your own.

Shelbourne Community Kitchen, nominated by Nicole Kilburn

Nicole Kilburn nominated Shelbourne Community Kitchen as a recipient of CCFA charitable donations this year. This small but mighty not-for-profit, located in the Shelbourne Valley, was the only organization that said yes to requests to develop this type of applied learning since it is daunting to facilitate a volunteer opportunity, after hours, for 40 students. Since 2017 the Kitchen has hosted numerous fieldtrips for students in the Anthropology of Food class, including in the W2023 semester.
Students spend a 3 hour night class spend volunteering at the Kitchen, followed by a discussion with the program director, Kim Cummins (also a Camosun alum). This reciprocity model of applied learning offers a profound way to consider issues of food security in our community, and many students have gone on to volunteer with the Kitchen.

For the last 7 years the Kitchen has also mentored many Camosun practicum students from Community, Youth and child Studies Program. Sadly, the numbers of individuals and families, including Camosun students, accessing supports from the Shelbourne Community Kitchen has risen significantly in the past 3 years due to the intersecting issues of the pandemic, Victoria’s cost of living crisis, and food related inflation topping 10%. As a member of our community, in multiple ways, this organization is deserving and in need of this support.

Indspire, nominated by Kelly Pitman

Kelly Pitman nominated Indspire, a national Indigenous registered charity based in Ontario, that helps students all over Canada. Its focus is on providing programs for Indigenous students and teachers of Indigenous students (which is all teachers, really) that help support students in reaching graduation and succeeding in post-secondary education.

Here’s their summary: We serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students in remote communities, rural areas and urban centres across Canada. With the support of our funding partners, we disburse financial awards, deliver programs, and share resources with the goal of increasing graduation rates for
Indigenous students.

Both as part of Camosun College and as a separate entity, the Union has its role to play in working towards reconciliation and decolonization. We know that across the country, Indigenous students are underrepresented in post-secondary institutions and also are among the poorest people in the country, and those facts are related. We also know that where young people are strong, communities are hopeful. This organization contributes to healing and empowerment, which to me is at the core of education.

A donation to Indspire would be in line with several of our stated priorities, specifically education initiatives, poverty, and initiatives that move a community forward.

Victoria Humane Society Donation in honour of a former MRAD student, Hong Gerow & Brent McMillen

Hong Gerow and Brent McMillen explained how in the middle of April, one of the Year 1 MRAD students, Todd Head, tragically passed away. As a small
cohort of just 14 students and a handful of instructors that taught Todd in his two terms in the program, we profoundly grieve his passing. Despite the odds against Todd, his efforts to excel in the Radiography Program were an inspiration to his classmates to do the same.

Todd was passionate about the Victoria Humane Society. His own dog helped him through many difficult times, helping him manage his physical difficulties by staying active and being a support for him during a health or school crisis. As a tribute to Todd, the class is putting together a donation in his honour to the Victoria Humane Society. Through the CCFA Charity fund, we can can make this tribute even greater by contributing to the donation.

The CCFA Exec would also like to thank the following members for their thoughtful submissions and encourage you to follow the embedded links to learn more about the charities we funded and those we weren’t able to help this year.

• Kirsten McLaughlin, HHS Student Foodbank – 3rd Floor of the Center for Health & Wellness. Students experience shame and stigma accessing the CCSS Donations can be dropped off at HHS Admin on the second floor, please email ac.nusomac@nimdashh to learn more (submitted outside of timelines).
• Lynelle Yutani, Dene Tha’ First Nation – Wildfire Evacuation due to Climate Change. Those who were evacuated have lost all their stored and frozen foodstuffs harvested during the past year using traditional means which will need to be replaced and transported into the community once they’re able to return. To learn more about how you can help, please email ac.ahtened@ofni to learn more (submitted outside of timelines).