Final Site C GO Fund recipients announced by BC Hydro

With the final grants being awarded, the Site C Go Fund reaches the $1 million milestone as the project inches towards completion.

Photo of the Fort St. John Association for Community Living building, one of the organizations to receive support from the funding.

$80,000 has been awarded to nine non-profit organizations in the Peace region by BC Hydro through the final intake of the Site C project's Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund.

More than $1 million has been provided to support more than 100 communities since the programs launch in 2016, which now concludes as the end of the project is scheduled for later this year.

"The GO Fund was established to support non-profit organizations in the north and south Peace Region as part of the Site C project and we're incredibly proud of its legacy,” said Chris O'Riley, President and CEO, BC Hydro. "As we conclude this program, we celebrate the meaningful contributions it has made to the communities in the region over the past decade."

The recipients of these final grants operate programs which focus on health and safety, arts, inclusion and life skills according to the media release.

• North Peace Seniors Housing Society: $7,500 to help prevent falls and improve safety for people living in senior’s housing residences.

• Wellness Truth Family Counselling and Advocacy Foundation: $10,000 will help support marginalized youth in learning about life and coping skills, budgeting, and food and financial literacy.

• Fort St. John Senior Citizens’ Association Branch #58: $5,000 to assist in providing meals for seniors in the community.

• Sources Community Resources Society: $4,500 will help support the specialized training for caregivers on various toilet training techniques utilized for neurodivergent children.

• Chetwynd Public Library Association (3 programs): $5,000 to the AlphaBITES program to help provide nutritious food for children, families and seniors; $4,700 to the Seed Library Patio Gardens program to assist children and families in learning to grow their own food; and $10,000 to the Community Crafting program for supporting inclusive activities.

• Hope for Health Society (2 programs): $10,000 will go to providing recreational equipment for low-income families and seniors while $5,000 is going to be used to support a community wellness conference.

• Chetwynd Community Arts Council: $5,000 will be used to support a circus camp for local children and teens.

• Fort St. John Association for Community Living: $4,100 for an art program that’s inclusive of people with disabilities in the community.

• Whiskey Jack Nordic Ski Club Society: $10,000 will help with the construction of an accessible outhouse for seniors, children, and families who visit the ski club.

Northern Development Initiative Trust administered the Go Fund on behalf of BC Hydro.

“Northern Development is proud to have collaborated with BC Hydro over the past decade,” said Ben Campbell, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust. “We extend our gratitude to the individuals who served on the Regional Decision-Making Committee throughout the fund’s duration for their dedication to supporting vulnerable populations within the Peace.”

The Go Fund is now closed as all the funds have been distributed within the communities. More information about the legacy of the program and previous recipients can be found at https://www.sitecproject.com/GoFund.