Updates from the 2022 Community Contributions

By Pauline Sydenham

As we wrap up 2023 and look back on another busy year, we want to express our gratitude to our partners who are deeply committed to making social impact. As a Community Contribution Company (CCC), Urban Matters directs funds towards community projects every year to support the well-being of the communities it serves.

Thanks to the work we have done together, we were able to contribute $225,000 to three outstanding community organizations: Green Violin in Edmonton, PEOPLE Lived Experience Society in Kelowna, and B.C.’s Community Action Initiative (CAI). These three organizations have done impactful work in the areas of affordable housing and the empowerment of people with lived and living experience (PWLLE).

• Community Action Initiative – Through a second year of micro-grant funding, 12 peer-led organizations in B.C. have received between $5,000 to $10,000 to complete important projects related to substance use and mental health. From leadership workshops to community outreach programs, these groups will be engaging in knowledge sharing and advocacy, cultural training, anti-stigma initiatives, capacity building, and more in their local community.
• Green Violin – Over the last year, much work has been done to develop the framing, community awareness, and momentum needed to launch an exciting new housing project in Edmonton. The project explores the potential of “unconventional actors” to become more central players in Edmonton’s affordable housing space. Through this initiative, two populations with acute needs have been identified, Indigenous peoples and veterans, who could greatly benefit from innovative approaches to housing.
• PEOPLE Lived Experience Society – PEOPLE has been an integral part of successful systems change in the Okanagan. With the funds it received from Urban Matters, PEOPLE secured its first-ever location, where they host training sessions, day programs, and community gatherings. The organization recently submitted and won a grant application from the federal government focused on updating and modernizing its communications approach to help improve programming.

“We are proud to support these organizations at the forefront of community building. We believe in the transformative power of community-led initiatives that not only address immediate needs but also foster innovation and understanding. Thanks to our valued partners, we can combine the power of community collaboration and social enterprise to create meaningful positive change.”

Jade Arignon, co-CEO of Urban Matters

Since 2016, we have contributed a total of $625,000 back into communities. This year, we anticipate directing a record $450,000 to six community organizations across western Canada, totaling our overall contributions to more than $1 million! Stay tuned for more details on this year’s latest community contributions.