Once again, our members have nominated some fantastic charities and causes to receive the CCFA 2024 Annual Charitable Donations. It is never an easy decision to decide how to split such a small sum among so many in need. And once again, it is my humble privilege to inform our members which charities your Exec selected from the applications we received. I also hope you enjoy the featured image; it is a blast from the past but it seemed appropriate.
This year, the applications had a familiar theme: faculty members doing what they do best, advocating for students.
Diane Nadeau Nominated the HHS Student Food Cupboard
For the past three years, Diane Nadeau has been on a mission to keep the HHS Student Food Cupboard full of donations she’s solicited from faculty and staff in HHS. Diane explains, she does all the shopping and emails donors with photos of the food that their donation was able to purchase, “the food is then stored and distributed to the (food cupboard) shelves for student access daily. In no time at all, the food is taken up, and all of it gets used up. It is such a need for students who are living with limited income and resources. We are able to support students during vulnerable times, which tend to be at midterm, finals, and especially in Jan/Feb months. I look forward to supporting students again this year… receiving funds [from the CCFA] would ensure food consistently throughout the year.” You can email Diane Nadeau if you’d like to help her fill the HHS Food Cupboard, too.
Even though we were happy to grant this modest request freely, it just highlighted that such donations should not be necessary in a just and thriving society. Diane’s nomination letter powerfully conveyed how food insecurity affects all students. Reminding us that we, as educators, members of a union, and humans who are part of our communities, must pay closer attention and do whatever we can to help. As a result of Diane’s nomination, the CCFA Executive also decided to fund the Camosun College Student Society Food Bank with a portion of this year’s donations.
CCFA donates to the Camosun College Student Society Food Bank
The Camosun College Student Society operates a food bank at both campuses: in the Fisher Building at Lansdowne campus and in the Campus Centre building at Interurban. Our donation will help provide non-perishable food items to any Camosun student for free. In addition, every December, the CCSS assembles and distributes holiday hampers for students in need. Donations can be made through the Camosun College Foundation. Camosun students in need of food hampers should watch CCSS social media in the first weeks of November to sign up. Hampers will be available for pickup in the first week of December.
Robin Ley Nominated the Victoria Youth Pride Council (VYPC)
In her nomination, Robin Ley explains that the Victoria Youth Pride Council is an organization dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in our community. Much like Camosun College, the VYPC provides invaluable opportunities for gender, sexual, and relationship-diverse youth and allies to learn, advocate, and connect. Teens who’ve been struggling and searching will find a sense of community with this group and be able to embrace their true selves.
Our donation will help the VYPC maintain and expand programs, ensuring more 2SLGBTQIA+ youth can benefit from their support. Robin especially wanted the 2SLGBTQIA+ youth community to know that Camosun’s Faculty Association stands behind them and actively works towards creating inclusive events on our campus. Our donation this year has been earmarked to fund next year’s VYPC Queer Prom event. Our members can be proud that their donation will bring joy and a sense of belonging to youth often excluded from traditional dances. If you’d like to volunteer or donate on your own, please visit the Victoria Pride Society Website.
The CCFA Exec would like to thank these members for their thoughtful submissions and encourage you to follow the embedded links to learn more about the charities we funded this year.
Lynelle Yutani (she/they)
ac.ytlucafnusomac@tnediserp
President, Camosun College Faculty Association
Lynelle is a queer, leftist rabble-rouser galvanized to guard the rights of union members and is on a crusade to convince you that you get out of your Union what you put into it. Lynelle serves on Presidents Council of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) and was elected to FPSE Executive as a Member-at-Large. She is on a number of FPSE affiliate committees, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Racialized Workers Caucuses for the BC Fed, and is active in the Victoria Labour Congress. Lynelle volunteers for a rooftop community garden, which partners with Harvest & Share Food Aid Society to grow fresh produce for local food banks and community food security programs.
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